CfLaT aims to act as an intellectual and organisational focus for postgraduates.
Research expertise
We have developed our scope from a core in Education to the rest of the School and Faculty. They recognise our expertise and capacity in research methods.
Several members of the Centre contribute to the HASS Research Training Programme and the NINEDTP Advanced research training options.
Encouraging students
We have targeted increased student membership to further develop our research culture. There is a resource bank, meeting space and work space for students.
Events and activities organised by the Centre (such as our Research Teas) are open to our students. This has provided the opportunity for them to expand their research horizons.
Learning programmes
Alongside increased student membership, CfLaT has an increasing role in the School's programmes. We have influential roles related to PGT and PGR provision and this is having an impact.
Our module, Investigating Learning, and affiliation to the MA in Education Research, are key.
CfLaT has been instrumental in supporting the introduction of an Master's Level PGCE. This leads into the Practitioner Enquiry Masters and Professional Doctorate of Education programmes.
CfLaT provides a base for students studying on the MA in Education Research. This is a course recognised by the Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC).
It draws on expertise within the Centre, School and Faculty. We support students to generic and subject-specific skills, giving them a firm basis for doctorate level.
Research experience
We give students real life educational research experience. We support them in acquiring knowledge of research techniques and issues relevant to the subject in action.
Events
Students on the course can take part in research events held in the Centre, including:
seminars
research teas
research project dissemination
We encourage students to integrate into the education research culture. We want them to talk to us about their research interests and experiences.
It means if they come to our events, their supervisor and personal tutor are often there.
Members of CfLaT lead and teach a range of part-time courses. They draw on our research and contextualise it in a wider policy, practice and research base.
These courses are popular with teachers, lecturers and other educators. These courses draw on effective and transformative professional learning.
Practise-based learning
They locate the learning in the workplaces of our students, who develop:
case studies
action research
reflective practice
We encourage students to undertake:
systematic enquiries
to develop innovative practice
to investigate the outcomes of professional practice development
By doing so, they are able to make practical sense of theory, policy and underlying research. That enables them to:
understand and develop their own practice
support professional development of colleagues
create a capacity for improvement through enhanced leadership
Programmes
Our current part-time programmes are:
M.Eds/MAs, which are integrated with the PGCert routes and primary and secondary PGCE
Doctorate in Education (part-taught & part-research, students can transfer from the PGCerts and Masters)
Completion of all Master's courses is through a research dissertation or research portfolio. Many CfLaT members supervise these dissertations.
Dissertations consolidate and integrate professional and academic learning fostered by taught stages. They support developing teaching and leadership practices that are evidence-based and research-informed.
Themes
Themes explored through CfLaT research are often explored through the dissertation such as:
The Doctorate of Education (EdD) provides a thorough grounding in educational research. Taking practitioners’ professional knowledge and experience, it supports the developing of new thinking.
designed based on CfLaT’s research. These courses aim to support EdD students in developing their skills and understandings.
Other modules may introduce concepts related to epistemology and ontological approaches.
Student CfLaT membership
We encourage students on the EdD to become student members of the Centre. This means they can come to Centre events and use CfLaT as a work space and resource to support their studies.
EdD support groups are all held in the Centre base to encourage familiarity with our offer.
CfLaT provides a base for students studying the MPhil and PhD degrees. These are “by research” only. They are awarded on the basis of satisfactory theses.
Thesis
For the MPhil degree, candidates must submit a thesis of 40-60,000 words. For the PhD, candidates submit a thesis of 80-100,000 words.
Candidates also take research methods modules.
Clear ideas
These degrees are for candidates with a clear idea of what they wish to research in depth.
CfLaT provides a base for students studying the D.App. Ed.Psy. This provides professional training for work as qualified educational psychologists.
Professional standard
You can work in local authorities and other educational and community settings. This is for people who want to become qualified to work as educational psychologists.
It welcomes psychology graduates who are teachers or have had jobs working with children.
