About Dr Vicki Jowett
I'm the Head of School for Social Sciences and Law. Prior to this, I was Associate Head of School for Professional Development, which included MA Education, MA International Education (DL), MA SEND, as well as PgCert in SEND: Leading Provision and Practice (DL). The portfolio also includes a suite of short courses which provide the opportunity for applicants to engage in CPD and gain master's level credits.
I began my educational journey when I undertook an undergraduate degree in education at the University of Sunderland. After graduating, I began an MPhil in education, which I converted into a PhD in education in 2017. My PhD is entitled 'Hearing children's voices: an exploration of the lived experiences of Year 6 children throughout the testing process to gain insight into the factors that shaped their journey'. This study aimed to explore the lived experiences of Year 6 children throughout the SATs process and places emphasis on gaining insight into the factors that shape the children's SATs journey. To do this, I employed a phenomenological-phenomenographical methodology and have utilised a range of data collection methods that allow children's voices to be heard, including drawings, interviews, and year-long vlogs. I completed my doctorate in 2024.
Prior to joining the University, I established my own business providing transcription services to a range of clients, including universities, which involved transcribing lectures, seminars, and research interviews. This engagement with academia led to my decision to pursue a career change in my thirties, with the aim of working towards a role in education.
I'm a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
Teaching and supervision
I've taught a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules and have led courses including MA Education and MA SEND, which involved teaching modules such as Introduction to Criticality, Research Methods in Education, and thesis-related input.
My supervision duties include supporting master's students throughout their thesis module and co-supervising PhD students.
Research
My PhD is entitled 'Hearing children’s voices: an exploration of the lived experiences of Year 6 children throughout the testing process to gain insight into the factors that shaped their journey'.
The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of children throughout the Year 6 Standard Assessment Tests process, using a unique methodology to achieve the key focus of ensuring that the children’s voices informed our understanding of their lived experiences.
The primary focus of the study is to hear the voices of children, allowing them to identify the emotions they experience throughout the process, and outline the potential sources of these emotions. The innovative methodology allows for the complexities of lived experiences to be fully explored, and a range of innovative methods were used to elicit the experiences of children, including the use of drawings and vlogs, alongside interviews, to allow them to express themselves in different ways.
Areas of expertise
- Higher education
- Teacher education
- Postgraduate study
- Research methods
- Critical thinking
Further information
I was Chair of Governors for a primary school in County Durham for a number of years and was able to increase my knowledge about the strategic direction in this environment, which allowed me to gain a wider understanding about the challenges faced in schools.
Our master's courses provide a sound theoretical underpinning to educational issues, while simultaneously establishing clear and effective links to practice that demonstrate how the concepts explored can be utilised within educational settings.