Personal profile

Overview

I am an Honorary Research Fellow of the University of Manchester. I was until December 2024 a Senior Lecturer in Educational Leadership and Deputy Head of the Manchester Institute of Education.

I have experience as a teacher, senior leader and education adviser, working in and with schools in the West Midlands. I have been a governor of eight schools over a period of more than 30 years. In July 2017, I completed a professional doctorate at the University of Manchester and was appointed to a part-time post as Lecturer in Educational Leadership and Programme Director of the MA Education (Teach First Leadership) programme. The title of my doctoral project was Academisation: A dynamic process of systemic change in England. I presented my thesis in Journal Format and four of the chapters have been published.

Note for those preparing applications for doctoral study

Please be aware that I retired from the University at the end of 2024 and am therefore unable to supervise further doctoral researchers or to support their applications.

Qualifications

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, 2020

Doctor of Education, University of Manchester, 2017

Master of Business Administration, University of Leicester, 1999

Master of Arts, University of Cambridge, 1974

Teaching

I was a teacher in schools in England for almost thirty years and held middle- and senior-leadership positions.

In MIE, I have taught on several education-leadership programmes, including MA Educational Leadership in Practice, MA Education (Leadership in Learning), MA Educational Leadership, the Postgraduate Diploma in Education and the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education.

I have also supervised doctoral students (PhD and EdD).

Memberships of committees and professional bodies

Former Editorial Board member and Deputy Editor (2019-2023) of the journal Management in Education.

Member of the following organisations:

British Educational Leadership Management and Adminstration Society 

British Educational Research Association

Society for Research into Higher Education

Office hours

I can be contacted by email.

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  • SDG 4 - Quality Education
  • SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  • SDG 10 - Reduced Inequalities

Education/Academic qualification

National Professional Qualification for Headship

Award Date: 20 Jul 2006

Postgraduate Certificate of Education

Award Date: 20 Jul 1975

External positions

Chair of Governors and Lead Governor for Safeguarding, Ormiston Forge Academy

18 Oct 202217 Oct 2026

Areas of expertise

  • L Education (General)
  • LB1603 Secondary Education. High schools
  • LB2300 Higher Education
  • LB2361 Curriculum
  • LA History of education

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Policy@Manchester

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