Education
The Faculty of Education and Society has a long standing commitment to high quality research in education. Staff are involved in a variety of large and small scale research projects. These include national, regional and international collaborations and range from large externally funded projects to small-scale activities with teachers and other professionals.
Our research has strong policy connections and relates to current and thus topical professional and academic concerns. We have an international reputation in social justice issues (in particular 'race', class and sexualities), family and school involvement and in teaching and learning and a growing international reputation in Post Compulsory Education and Training.
We also have a thriving postgraduate research culture involving both national and international students.
The plans in our 2001 submission reflected our work on social justice issues, lifelong learning, pedagogy in schools and Higher Education, home school relationships international comparisons of classroom practice and the use of technology. During the assessment period this work has developed in a series of exciting and innovative ways. The focus of our work continues to follow two main themes:
Equalities and Social Justice, including four ESRC awardwinning projects and the setting up of a research centre on this theme; and
Pedagogy and Lifelong Learning, including the DfES award for the Sunderland Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training (SUNCETT) in Post Compulsory Education.
Research in Education is focussed into four areas:
Teaching Styles Motivation and Comparative Education
Post Compulsory Education and Training
Equalities and Social Justice
Teaching and Learning in HE
Our research comprises both basic and applied research and has a strong sociological emphasis, together with, in some cases, a philosophical and psychological orientation.
