Fiona McEwan

I am Deputy Programme Leader for BA (Hons) Education Studies with Integrated Foundation Year and Lecturer on BA (Hons) Education Studies.

My journey into academia began as a mature student on an Access to Higher Education college course. I then went on to complete my BA (Hons) English Language and Literature degree at University of Sunderland before graduating with a PGCE in Post Compulsory Education and Training (PCET) QTLS (English Pathway).

I worked in the further education sector, where I taught functional skills, GCSE English, and A level English as well as A level drama, before returning to University of Sunderland. I became a lecturer in the School of Education on the PCET generic and English pathways and developed the enhanced mentoring model which is still delivered at Durham Sixth Form Centre.

I have now moved within the university to lecture on the undergraduate BA (Hons) Education Studies programme and develop the new BA (Hons) Education Studies with Integrated Foundation Year (IFY), where I can draw on my knowledge of further education to support the IFY students to develop their skills and knowledge to enable successful transition from level 3 to level 4 within a higher education setting.

I am passionate about inclusive education that considers the learner holistically, and I hope to encourage the future and current educationalists I encounter to consider adopting these approaches via my teaching, governorship and research.