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Staff Profile

Dr Karen Laing

Principal Research Associate

  • Telephone: +44 (0) 191 208 5719
  • Address: Room 2.58
    School of Education, Communication and Language Sciences
    King George VI Building
    Newcastle University
    Queen Victoria Road
    Newcastle Upon Tyne
    NE1 7RU
Background

Introduction

I am Principal Research Associate and Co-Director of the Centre for Learning and Teaching. My work centres around conducting research that aims to make a difference to the lives of vulnerable children, young people and families. This includes specialising in how different professionals work together to deliver services and opportunities for children (particularly involving schools), the participation of young people in research, interventions and social justice. I also work to tackle inequities for Newcastle students in terms of access, success and progression.


Methodologically, I am developing new ways of using theory-based methodologies (theory of change) in project development and evaluation, and incorporating visual and participatory methods. Theoretically, I am influenced by the ideas of Paulo Freire and Anne Edwards among others. My PhD focused on developing a critical pedagogy for undertaking activist research.


I have a keen interest in co-creation, and of the processes involved in stimulating change from research. I am founder of a local charity, the Newcastle West End Children's Community, which is a comprehensive community initiative led by educational institutions to bring together local people and organisations to address poverty and enhance children's life-chances, acting from pre-cradle to career and across all aspects of children's lives.


Two new co-authored reports:

Todd L, Pini S, Mathai M, Wood M, et al. Building the foundations of a new ‘Sure Start’: An evidence-based plan for connecting and coordinating support and services for children and families in and around schools. Manchester: N8 Child of the North, Health Equity North, Centre for Young Lives, 2024.


Ayadurai, C., Todd, L. et al. An evidence-based plan for addressing poverty with and through education settings. Manchester: N8 Child of the North, Health Equity North, Centre for Young Lives, 2024.


Conference papers since 2015


Razak, A., & Laing, K. (2025). Belonging in Engineering Network (BEN): Can spaces of belonging help narrow the degree awarding gap? [Conference presentation]. Newcastle University Learning and Teaching Conference, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom.


Razak, A., & Laing, K. (2025). Using counterspaces to promote equity and belonging on campus [Conference presentation]. Campus Geographies of the Student Experience, Society for Research into Higher Education, United Kingdom.


Perumal, R., Razak, A., Laing, K., Husband, D., Yetkili, O., & Mansaray, A. (2024). Wicked problems, righteous solutions: Awarding gaps and their (theoretical and applied) implications [Workshop]. British Educational Research Association Annual Conference, United Kingdom.


Laing, K., Thomas, U., Tiplady, L. and Todd, L. (2024) Partnership to tackle the effects of socio-economic inequality on children's experiences of school, European Conference on Educational Research, Symposium, 27-30 August, Nicosia: Cyprus.


Brown, M and Laing, K. (2024) Impact of Early Childhood Education in Students' Basic Skills: A scoping review, European Conference on Educational Research, Symposium, 27-30 August, Nicosia: Cyprus.


Kerr, K., Laing, K. and Todd, L. (2024) Promoting equity through Comprehensive Community Initiatives in England, The Spatial Turn for Equitable Inclusive Systems in Education, Symposium, 5-6 June 2024, Dublin.


Laing, K. (2023) Developing a Model of Co-learning for Activist Research-Practice Partnerships, European Conference on Educational Research, 22-25 August 2023, Glasgow: UK.


Laing, K. and Todd, L. (2022) Partnerships to Tackle Educational Disadvantage: A Risky Business?​ European Conference on Educational Research, 23-25 August 2022, Yerevan: Armenia.


Boulton, C., Douglas-Dodd, K., Laing, K., Razak, A., Shaw, A. and Todd, L. (2022) ‘Using theory of change as a framework for stimulating and evaluating change’. Symposium: Reimagining the inclusive university, British Educational Research Association Conference, 6-8 September 2022, Liverpool: UK.


Douglas-Dodd, K., Laing, K., Razak, A., Shaw, A. and Todd, L. ‘Narrowing the Awarding Gap between Black and white (home) students in Engineering’, British Educational Research Association Conference, 13-16 September 2021, (online).


Laing, K. and Todd, L. ‘Developing a Children’s Community in Partnership’ European Conference on Educational Research, 6-10 September 2021, Geneva (online).


Clark, J., Laing, K., Woolner, P., Thomas, U. and Tiplady, L. ‘Using Co-production In Research: Challenges and Opportunities’, European Conference on Educational Research, 3-6 September 2019, Hamburg: Germany.


Laing, K. (2018) ‘Working with young people in research’, Youth Summer School, Groningen University.

Bertova, M. and Laing, K. (2018) ‘Communication and design principles for the co-creation of impact’, CO-CREaction Summit, in Barcelona, Spain.


Clark, J. and Laing, K, (2018) ‘Residential as research method: research co-creation with young women’, British Educational Research Association Conference, 11-13 September 2018, Northumbria University, Newcastle: UK. 


Clark, J. and Laing, K, (2018) Residential as research method: research co-creation with young women, CfLaT Research Showcase, 27th September, Newcastle University.


Laing, K. and Hasenfuss, J. ‘Tales from ACCOMPLISSH’, UK Knowledge Mobilisation Forum, 7th-8th March 2018, Bristol: UK. 


Laing, K. and Hasenfuss, J. ‘Tales from ACCOMPLISSH’, NCPPE ENGAGE Conference, December 2017, Bristol: UK.


Laing, K., Hasenfuss, J. and Hansen, S. ‘Developing a culture of partnership working’, ACSIS 2017 ACCOMPLISSH Co-creation and Social Innovation Summit, Tallinn: Estonia.


Laing, K. (2017) Children’s Communities: a model for creating resilient communities, Blackpool Resilience Forum, 2017.


Laing, K. and Todd, L. (2017) ‘Pedagogies of knowledge exchange. What happens when university researchers engage with individuals working in educational contexts in order to learn from each other with the aim of creating new knowledge?’ Learning for Change: researching pedagogies, BERA PRESIDENT’S ROUNDTABLE SEMINAR SERIES


Todd, L., Laing, K. and Mazzoli Smith L. (2017) ‘Community Led Educational Reform: looking at school engagement, out of school activities, co-defining a future and responding to poverty’, European Association for Research on Learning and Instruction (EARLI) Conference, 29 Aug – 2 September 2017, Tampere: Finland.


Kerr, K. and Laing, K. ‘Evaluating impact of area-based partnerships using theory of change’, Community Network UK Conference, 7th July 2017, Manchester: UK.


Laing, K. ‘Principles for promoting the impact of SSH research by co-creation: key issues in research design and communication’ H2020 ACCOMPLISSH dialogue platform, 29-30 May 2017, Zagreb: Croatia.


Clark, J. and Laing, K. ‘Making connections: Theory and practice of using visual methods to aid participation in research’, Youth Matters: Moving from the Margins, Newcastle University, 8-9th June 2016.


Laing, K. and Clark, J. ‘Capacity building in research skills and methods: Involving young people as agents of change’, British Educational Research Association Conference, 13th – 15th September 2016, Leeds: UK.


Laing, K. ‘Understanding the relationship between out of school activities and attainment’, British Educational Research Association Conference, 13th – 15th September 2016, Leeds: UK.


Laing, K., Mazzoli Smith, L., and Todd, L. ‘Out of school hours activities: looking at school staff, parent and pupil meanings and theories’, British Educational Research Association Conference, 13th – 15th September 2016, Leeds: UK.


Clark, J. and Laing, K. ‘Working with young people around crime and anti-social behaviour: exploring the capacity for change in their communities’, North East Crime Research Network Conference, Northumbria University, 7th April 2016.


Shucksmith, M and Laing, K. ‘Research design and communication for impact’, H2020 ACCOMPLISSH dialogue platform 2016, Groningen University: Netherlands.


Laing, K., Mazzoli Smith, L. and Todd, L. ‘Out of school activities and the education gap’, European Conference on Educational Research, 23-26 August 2016, Dublin: Ireland.


Laing, K. and Lofthouse, R. ‘The role of models as tools in the ecology of research and practice partnerships’, European Conference on Educational Research, 23-26 August 2016, Dublin: Ireland.


Clark, J., Laing, K., Todd, L., Woolner, P., Thomas, U. and Tiplady, L. ‘Using a Theory of Change to Evaluate Complex Initiatives: Theory and practice’, Innovation session at the British Educational Research Association Conference, 15-17 September 2015, Belfast, UK.


Laing, K. and Todd, L. ‘Co-producing Evaluation – The Contribution of Theory-based Methods’, European Conference on Educational Research, 8-11 September 2015, Budapest, Hungary.


Laing, K. and Todd, L. ‘Unequal Access to Out of School Activities and the Education Gap’, European Conference on Educational Research, 8-11 September 2015, Budapest, Hungary.


Todd, L. and Laing, K. ‘Engaging educational researchers in the pursuit of social justice for children and young people’, American Association of Educational Research (AERA), 16-20 April 2015, Chicago: Illinois.





Research

Current research projects:

SCIREARLY (EU Horizon/UKRI) 

Evaluating NU Access and Participation Plan (Newcastle University)

Newcastle West End Children's Community (various funders. Involving multiple organisations, and close collaboration with the West End Schools Trust, Newcastle City Council, Children North East, Action for Children, Ways to Wellness)

‘Belonging’ at university? A participatory study of students’ experiences of inclusion within HE spaces (NU)


Previous research projects:

Narrowing the awarding gap in engineering: Pilot project. Inclusive Newcastle Knowledge Centre, Newcastle University.

Social action for social justice: Children and young people making a difference (NU)

Evaluating the Cost of the School Day (Child Poverty Action Group)

Evaluating place-based initiatives (Leading Link/Northumberland County Council)

Partnership working in a Children's Community: Young in Wallsend (Wallsend Action for Youth).

The Good Education project. Using parent power to stimulate change (Newcastle University).

Developing tools for co-creation (in collaboration with colleagues from FMS, APL, and Carnegie UK Trust, Newcastle City Council, Federation of Small Businesses, Children North East and Success4All) (NISR/FIF)

Evaluating In Harmony music provision in schools (Sage Gateshead/ Arts Council)

Encouraging Early Permanence change processes (with GPS) (After Adoption/Barnardo's)

H2020 MyCorridor: Youth and travel (in collaboration with colleagues in SAGE and CREA, Barcelona) (Horizon 2020)

H2020 ACCOMPLISSH: Principles in designing co-creation for research impact/ The role of the knowledge broker (in collaboration with Newcastle City Council, Federation of Small Businesses, Children North East, colleagues from FMS and APL, and universities in 12 European countries) (Horizon 2020)

Evaluation of Pathways to Creativity (Little Big Butterfly)

Knowledge Exchange secondment with Wallsend Action for Youth (ESRC IAA)

Changing Stories (ESRC IAA)

Developing a theory of change and evaluation plan for Blackpool HeadStart (Blackpool Council)

Organisational review of Wallsend Action for Youth (WAfY)

Evaluation of InHarmony (Sage Gateshead)

Developing a new model of Video Interaction Guidance (VIG) for Blackpool (NSPCC)

Youth Participation in Council Services (Northumberland County Council)

Evaluation of Gateshead MASH (Gateshead Council)

Evaluation of Thinking Differently (young people's role in alcohol reduction projects in Scotland) (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)

Evaluation of MPACT in schools (intervention for families affected by substance misuse) (Comic Relief/Royal Foundation)

Out of school activities and the education gap (Nuffield Foundation)

Building a Children's Community in Newcastle West - a feasibility study (Children NorthEast)

Choices Together - Widening Participation for Looked After Children  (Catherine Cookson Foundation)

Young people's Views of Fairness in Education (NISR)

Supporting aphasia (Catherine Cookson Foundation)

Language for All: Understanding the multi-agency pathway for children with speech, language and communication needs (North Tynesdie Council) 

Evaluation of the Pupil Premium (DfE)

Narrowing the Gap: Technology enhanced learning initiatives 

Evaluation of the Diamond model: co-production of services (ILG)

Links into Language: Evaluation of projects to encourage language acquisition

Review of Fairness in Education (ILG)

The participation of children and young people in research (AHRC)

 A review of research of interventions in aspirations and attitudes: influencing educational attainment (Joseph Rowntree Foundation)

 Evaluation of Sub 21 alcohol prevention project (Mentor UK)

 Just for A Laugh Evaluation of Alcohol Education (Mentor UK)

 Evaluation of the Disadvantage Subsidy in Somerset and Wiltshire

National Evaluation of Extended Schools (DfE)

 National Evaluation of the Disadvantage Subsidy (DfE)

 Understanding Child Contact in Scottish Courts (Scottish Executive).

 National Evaluation of Budget-holding Lead Professionals for Children in Care (DCSF).

 National Evaluation of Family Pathfinders with York Consulting (DCSF)

 Understanding the needs of adults, particularly parents, for relationship support (DCSF)

 The evaluation of Information Meetings and Associated Provisions under the Family Law Act 1996 (Funder - Lord Chancellors Dept.).

 Two Years On - A follow-up study of those attending an Information Meeting under the Family Law Act 1996 (Dept. for Constitutional Affairs).

 Work to support the evaluation of 'On Track' - developing a guide to assessing children at risk of offending behaviour (Home Office).

 Dysfunctional Families: A web-based toolkit for Crime Reduction Partnerships (Home Office).

 Risk, resilience and diversity: Pathways into and out of crime – Prisoners Families (ESRC Priority Network).

 Parenting under Pressure: Prison - An evaluation of a book about the family relationships of prisoners in collaboration with Young Voice (Diana, Princess of Wales Memorial Fund) 

  National evaluation of Youth Inclusion and Support Panels (Dept.for Education and Skills).

 National evaluation of Family Group Conferencing (Youth Justice Board).

 National evaluation of Family Advice and Information Services (Legal Services Commission).

 National Evaluation of Budget-holding Lead Professionals (Dept for Education and Skills).

 

 

Teaching

I am currently teaching on research methods modules for postgraduate students in the school of ECLS.

I also contribute to the HASS PGR Training Course, and the Nine DTP Visual Methods Course.


Student supervision:


Sam Robson: How can different organisations work more effectively together to improve educational outcomes for children in Newcastle’s West End Children’s Community? (current EdD)


David Pearce (current EdD)


Lee Robinson: The motivations and aspirations of level 1 learners in North East England (EdD 2023)


Raychel Johnson: Exploring the experiences of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic students studying in a predominantly White academic space (DAppEdPsych 2022)


Zoe Whitby An exploration of the experiences of children and young people (CYP) considered to have additional educational needs (AEN) in taking part in decision making processes in an English educational context (DAppEdPsych 2021)


Helen Owen-Hughes The inclusion of refugee and asylum-seeking children in UK schools: Exploring the perspectives of educational professionals (DAppEdPsych 2019)


Helen Woodley "That’s me when I am angry”: seeking the authentic voices of pupils and teachers from inside a Pupil Referral Unit through autoethnography (EdD 2016)


Jill Henderson Primary to Secondary School Transition: Personal and critical reflections arising from co-research (EdD 2011)






Publications