Email: portico-services@ucl.ac.uk
Help Desk: http://www.ucl.ac.uk/ras/portico/helpdesk
- Lecturer
- IOE - Education, Practice & Society
- UCL Institute of Education
I studied Social Anthropology at the University of Manchester, focusing during my doctorate on the modern phenomena of Gap Years. The main question I was exploring was what sort of person does a gap year produce, and how is this achieved? I spent a year doing ethnographic participant observation with a gap year organisation, learning about the organisational processes and procedures, both behind the scenes and in their work with young people and adults.
After completing my doctorate, I moved south to take up a position at LLAKES (Centre for Learning and Life Chances in Knowledge, Economies and Societies) as a research officer, working on numerous projects as a qualitative ethnographer and interviewer.
In 2016, I began a new post as Lecturer in Education on the BA in Education Studies at UCL IOE, and in 2018 took up the role of Programme Leader for the Education Studies BA.
My main research interests are concerned with the world of work and the relationship between work and education (informal and formal). I'm fascinated by organisations, and the role they play in our lives, how they shape us, as we shape them back. I've conducted research in international NGOs, British charities, British private, state and free schools, and in businesses in engineering, retail and professional services sectors.
I have one research project currently underway in collaboration with Professor Pauline Leonard at the University of Southampton on how young people access the labour market and become employable persons.
A second project, with Professor David Guile, is exploring the learning and work process for project teams made up of different professions. We're currently working with a case study organisation in the engineering sector.
I've also worked on the qualitative element of the Citizenship Education Longitudinal Survey, interviewing young people about their aspirations and opportunities.
I've conducted interviews with head teachers in private schools about how they understand 'public benefit' and charitable obligations, and with head teachers of free schools about their school missions and objectives.
Module Leader:
Qualitative Social Science Research Methods
Year 2 Undergraduates
Educating for Employment? Understanding Learning in Labour Markets in the 21st Century Economy
Year 3 Undergraduates
Doing and Writing Ethnography
Doctoral Students
Introduction to Ethnography
Doctoral Students
Contributing Lecturer:
Understanding Education Research
Professionalism and Expertise
Masters students
2016 | FHEA | ATQ03 - Recognised by the HEA as a Fellow – Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | |
2008 | MAST | Master – Anthropology | University of Manchester |
2007 | BSocSci | Bachelor of Social Science – Social Anthropology | University of Manchester |
PhD | Doctor of Philosophy – Social Anthropology | University of Manchester | |
2019 | SFHEA | ATQ04 - Recognised by the HEA as a Senior Fellow – Teaching and Learning in Higher Education | University College London |