Introduction
Through my work I aim to contribute to a more equal and inclusive society. I am currently interested in the concept of 'fairness' in delivering education and other public services to children and families. The idea that inequalities are damaging for everyone is also something I am looking at.
Current projects look at: the developing role of schools in helping to overcoming disadvantage; the changing position of professionals who work with children; children/ young people encouraged to be equal participants in the development of services for them to use - including schools; the participation of parents in schools, particularly in leadership roles; research methods to evaluate complex initiatives (ie theory of change, visual methods); and democratic tools to help the process of change for individuals and communities (narrative practice and video interaction guidance).
Research Interests
For the last 10 years much of my research has looked at the role of schools in tackling disadvantage, in 'closing the gap'. A book drawing on this research was published in April 2011 by Routledge - by Colleen Cummings, Alan Dyson and Liz Todd - 'Beyond the School Gates'.
• 5-year DoE funded project, National Evaluation of Extended Services. 'What impacts do extended services have on schools, young people, families and communities?' A team at Newcastle University, of Prof Liz Todd, Colleen Cumming and Karen Laing is working with Alan Dyson and Lisa Jones at Manchester University, Ivy Papps (economist, Tecis Ltd), and Mark Peters and Hannah Carpenter from the BMRB (British Market Research Bureau). The project started in April 2009 and ends earlier than expected in March 2011. This is an excellent team - we have worked together on several funded projects now.
Work so far in the 5-year evaluation is the development of 20 longitudinal case study schools in England. We have also completed two thematic reviews based on interviews with schools and local authority staff on: the role of extended services in reaching disadvantaged groups (published); and the role of local authorities in extended services and swift and easy access to services (in press).
• A recent project that I am excited about - Joseph Rowntree Foundation funded review of evidence on 'Interventions in aspirations and attitudes: influencing educational attainment'. A multi-disciplinary research team: Prof Liz Todd, Colleen Cummings, Dr Elaine Hall, Pam Woolner, Prof James Law (from speech), Dr Janice McLaughlan (sociologist, director of PEALS) and Dr Ivy Papps (economist from Tecis Ltd). October 2010 - July 2011. We aim to see what evidence there is in answering these questions: How far is possible to change attitudes and aspirations of parents, children and young people? Does bringing about such changes lead to an improvement in educational outcomes, particularly amongst low-income children – and what is the scale of any such improvement? Are there proven interventions for bringing about these changes?
I draw on a range of theoretical ideas and tools to develop my work, including cultural historical activity theory, feminist philosophy, socio-cultural psychology and social capital.
Background
Joined Newcastle University 1994, having worked abroad in Fiji for 3 years lecturing in critical educational psychology at the University of the South Pacific, training teachers from 13 different pacific island countries, and delivering in-country workshops. I have worked in the roles of researcher in ILEA (inner London Education Authority), English teacher, secondary mathematics teacher, parent partnership worker and educational psychologist.
I have always been drawn to community practices that help people to act in ways that are in line with their values and with ideas of justice. I like to find out, research and be part of such practices. In my own professional training one of my placements was in Edinburgh with Jimmy Boyle, the Glaswegian gang member who had served a sentence for murder and who had, on release, set up a community project, run by the community, to help people coming out of prison, and those dealing with issues of drug dependancy and mental health problems. I was particularly interested in the facilitation of non-professional solutions to the problems of those attending the project.
Qualifications
PhD - MSc in Educational Psychology - PGCE (Primary/Middle Years) - MA Psychology
Previous jobs
Researcher for the Inner London Education Authority
Teacher of Mathematics
Educational psychologist: Sunderland; Northumberland; and North Tyneside
Parent partnership officer, North Tynesside
Lecturer in educational psychology, University of the South Pacific
Tutor, Open University
Memberships
Chartered Member of the British Psychological Society
Membership of Health Professions Council as a practicing Educational Psychologist
British Education Research Association
Languages
English, French
Informal Interests
Family and friends, making stuff, Woodcraft folk, cycling, allotment