Dr. Kirsty Finn (University of Manchester) researches a wide range of sociological issues related to students and higher education.  

We discuss Kirsty’s interest in student mobilities, the gendered ways in which universities are encouraging students to develop ‘side hustles’, and the need for research into the loneliness of university life.

Student experiences of higher education (Kirsty Finn)

Actor-Network Theory is growing in popularity in education research. 

Helene Friis Ratner (Aarhus University) discusses the strengths and limitations of ANT, how this approach can be best applied to understand education, and the fascinating insights that can be gained from thinking about ‘things’.

Actor-Network Theory (Helene Ratner)

What relevance does existentialism have for teachers? 

Dr. Alison Brady (UCL) uses the existentialist philosophy of Jean Paul Sartre to rethink what it means for teachers to reflect and account for their own practice. 

We talk about Sartre’s ideas about the self and freedom, how teaching might be seen as a process of ‘bad faith’, and why teachers need talk candidly and honestly about the vulnerabilities of being in the classroom. 

Alison is the author of ‘Being a Teacher: From Technicist to Existential Accounts’ (Springer, 2023).

Teachers and existentialist philosophy (Alison Brady)

Schools are beginning to report a notable change in boys’ behaviour as a result of their increased exposure to the so-called ‘manosphere’ and online extremist influencers like Andrew Tate. 

Dr. Stephanie Wescott (Monash University) talks about ongoing research into how women and girls are encountering the consequences of online toxic masculinity in schools, and what steps can be taken to combat the problem.

Schools and online ‘toxic masculinity’ (Stephanie Wescott)

How can schools tackle issues of sustainability and climate change? 

Prof. Lizzie Rushton (University of Stirling) talks about her research around environmental education in England and Scotland. 

We discuss the current state of UK sustainability education, teachers' and young people’s views on how environmental issues should be taught, and the benefits of applying a geographical mindset to education research.

Sustainability and climate change education (Lizzie Rushton)

A/Prof Pontso Moorosi (University of Warwick) joins us to talk about her research on leadership preparation in South African schools, and the varying experiences of Black women school principals around the world.

Educational leadership, gender and race (Pontso Moorosi)

Why did Twitter so quickly fall apart as a place for scholarship? Where are academics now going for their social media buzz? How can you use Chat GPT as a genuinely useful interlocutor? 

Mark Carrigan (University of Manchester) joins us to talk about two of his latest books – ‘Social Media For Academics’ (2nd edition) and the forthcoming ‘Generative AI for Academics’. 

We talk about how academics can get the best out of digital tools to support their scholarship, and how academia can push back against a looming age of automated research communication.

Academics’ use of social media and generative AI (Mark Carrigan)

Academic research is becoming increasingly peripheral to education policy-makers and practitioners. 

Prof. Sally Power (Cardiff University) talks about the current shortcomings of our work, and how education research might be reinvigorated through a new ‘politics of method’.

The coming crisis in education research … and what we might do about it (Sally Power)

Mental health is now recognised as an important part of schooling. Neil Humphrey (University of Manchester) talks about recent efforts to establish compulsory mental health education across English schools, and the benefits of supporting students’ social and emotional learning.

Mental health education and social-emotional learning (Neil Humphrey)

Prof. Kristiina Brunila (University of Helsinki) talks about the rise of ‘Precision Education Governance’ – the current push to reform education systems through markets, digital technologies, standardised measurements, behavioural sciences and the precise shaping of human conduct.

Precision Education Governance (Kristiina Brunila)

Emerging issues and the latest ideas from across the world of education research. Hear from a range of academics about their current research work in schools, universities and beyond. Hosted by Neil Selwyn from Monash University, Australia.

Academics’ use of social media and generative AI (Mark Carrigan)

Meet The Education Researcher

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