Education

Research into education policy draws on a diversity of intellectual traditions, including critical social policy, poststructuralist theories of governance, feminism, theories of identity and cultural studies.

Our research has two broad lines of activity:

The first is concerned with understanding the source, scope and pattern of education policy; that is in exploring the origins of policies, the nature and definition of the problems that education is asked to solve, and the historical, cultural and social practices that filter or mediate policies.
The second concerns educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling, including work on the educational potential of new technologies, forms of excellence in teaching practice and the performance of schools.

Research into education policy draws on a diversity of intellectual traditions, including critical social policy, poststructuralist theories of governance, feminism, theories of identity and cultural studies. We have recently focused on two interconnected themes; the reshaping of education governance and its consequences for social inclusion/exclusion and education politics, and families, childhood and identity in education. Research into educational practices and performance and the development of quality in schooling focuses on teaching and learning practice school management and leadership. Projects are often run in close collaboration with schools.

Children, families and society research cluster

We combine a range of theoretical interests and approaches to children, parenting and families in projects that examine contemporary issues with relevance to policy and practice. We work across disciplines with colleagues from other centres in the School, the University, other UK and international universities, and we build links with policy, practice and public users of research.

Keele Institute for Social Inclusion

Some of our researchers are also associated with Keele Institute for Social Inclusion. Keele Institute for Social Inclusion aims to draw together a vibrant community of partners across sectors to tackle the issues of inequality on a local, national and global scale. The Institute promotes and supports a wide range of interdisciplinary research, co-created with external partners, that seeks to identify, explain and overcome social, economic, political and cultural obstacles to egalitarian respect and social inclusion.