• Who is this programme for?
• Aims and objectives
• Additional information

A central theme of this programme is the development of an increased understanding of the values, theories and assumptions underpinning research in the field and the need to consider these both in relation to the broader context as well as to the particular research interest. The programme is designed to enable students to identify, develop and defend the values, theories, and assumptions underlying their own research.

Who is this programme for?

The EdD has been designed with the needs of professionals working within any field of Educational Disadvantage or Special Educational Needs. This includes professionals who work directly with learners in an educational setting and those who work in support and other educational services.

Aims and Objectives

The EdD draws on a number of disciplines of study to encourage the development of new understandings in contemporary research and theory and to develop innovative practice. Students who take the course will be expected to:

• develop a critical view of the literature related to educational disadvantage and special needs in the UK and internationally;
• acquire knowledge and expertise in a range of research methods
• develop a critical perspective on theoretical and methodological issues in educational research generally and specifically in their chosen subject area;
• design and undertake an investigation of their chosen research area in negotiation with their supervisor, with due regard to ethical and pragmatic considerations;
• develop the investigation to its conclusion through writing, discussion, seminars and papers with the aim of publication;
• contribute to the professional culture through individual investigation which makes
• an original contribution to the chosen field.

Additional Information

Modules

Educational Disadvantage and Special Educational Needs

The aim of this module is to help you to develop a critical understanding of the values and ideas underpinning theories and issues in contemporary thinking in the area of educational disadvantage and special educational needs and to consider their influence on educational contexts. This will include a deconstruction of some of the social and psychological theory in special needs research and an exploration of the political, philosophical and social contexts of inclusion. The module will therefore enable you to consider more critically the way in which concepts of special educational needs and educational disadvantage impact on policy, research and practice and to consider in an assignment some of the values and assumptions underlying your own practice and research plans.

Leadership and Management in Special and Inclusive Education

The field of special education has traditionally been one that has seen very little development in the area of a theory or professional development for its leadership and management. This in spite of the fact that evidence from research and inspection clearly demonstrates that leadership is a key characteristic of outstanding schools and colleges, and conversely that the weakest are inevitably the victims of poor leadership and management. This module will therefore aim to explore an understanding of theory and practice in the management of inclusion and special education. It will analyse the key issues of policy and provision, standards and quality, and pedagogies and curricula within the context of special and inclusive education. The assignment will involve a collaborative or institution-based project that should be directly aimed at analysing and improving the practice of leadership and management in the students’ own professional context.

Disability, Social Justice and Education

Over a twenty-year period, the policies and practices associated with special education have come under close scrutiny from various quarters. A disability rights perspective in particular, has influenced debate and educational policy associated with concepts of equality and inclusion. This perspective has also exposed some of the major underpinnings of special education theory as problematic, and entrenched in the vested interest of professionals.

This module examines the epistemology of disability studies within a wider framework of social justice theory. Social, cultural and political aspects of disability studies particularly as they relate to special and inclusive education will be critically examined. The transdisciplinary nature of disability studies will also be explored, enabling you to consider educational issues in the context of anthropology, development studies, geography, history politics, philosophy, psychology, sociology and gender studies.

Educational Disadvantage and Special Educational Needs: Research Design and Methodology for the Thesis

The aim of this module is to enable you to develop and refine your proposed research questions and relate these questions to methodological choices, based on an informed and systematic consideration of both the research and subject relevant literature within the chosen topic of study. This module is undertaken with the guidance of your thesis supervisor but additionally tutorials and/or seminars are provided with the EDSEN EdD course co-ordinator to enable course members to share ideas about research.