University of Nottingham

Faculty Member, School of Education

Associate Professor

About

Although I have a mathematical background I have gravitated to become a sociologist of education with a particular interest in equity and social justice. I am an Associate Professor in Education with interests in equity, social justice  and international development. I am a member of the Centre for Research into Schools and Communities. I joined the University of Nottingham in 1993, having spent time as Lecturer at both the University of Bath and the Open University. Before that I was a mathematics teacher, and advisor in Moçambique. I graduated in Mathematics from Manchester with a BSc and MSc in Applied Statistical Analysis and Random Processes, and obtained an MA in Education from the Open University in 1989 and PhD from Nottingham in 2000 titled -"A study of the structure of the professional orientation of two teachers of Mathematics: A sociological approach”
My research interests are related to equity, justice and social class issues in education and development. In particular I am interested in working on:
School to work transitions; Mathematics Education and social justice; Sociology of learning mathematics in school: Information technology and social class in schools: Classroom practices and teacher ideology: Mathematics education and social exclusion: Critical social research methods: Social class influences on pupil learning of mathematics: Parental involvement and exclusion in schools: Pupil grouping in school mathematics and the influence of social class
Because I feel research has both an illuminative and an emancipatory capacity much of my work is located in and around issues of social class and equity in Nottingham. For Example:
• Young Participation in Higher Education in the Parliamentary Constituency of Nottingham North
• Understanding Teenage Pregnancy in Nottingham City
• The influence of location of provision and recruitment to FE courses in Nottingham

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