Ph.D., M.Ed., B.Ed. (Hons), P.G. Cert., AMBDA

Profile

I am a lecturer in Inclusive and Special Education (Dyslexia).  Before becoming a lecturer in HE in 2002, I worked across a range of special education and mainstream educational settings.  My original training was in primary education, and then later I worked in secondary, FE and specialist settings.  Subsequently I became a Local Authority administrator (Special Educational Needs Officer), which augmented my teacher-based knowledge in valuable ways.  My Dyslexia specialism developed with the leadership of the SEN and Dyslexia programmes at the University of Wales Swansea, a specialism I am please to continue at Birmingham University. 

Research and Projects Interests

My research focus is the social and moral fabric of education, specifically where it concerns dyslexia, in relation to the improvement of quality in teaching and learning.  I am interested in helping children, young people and adults to make progress in gaining literacy skills, and have a particular interest in Dyslexia and entrepreneurship.  I have a further interest in the processes and issues surrounding statements of SEN.

Teaching Interests

I lead the Dyslexia Studies and the Professional Studies Programmes.  I teach Dyslexia Studies, and contribute to other programmes in the School of Education, including Research Methods, PGCE, and Undergraduate programmes.  I supervise students’ individual teaching project modules, assignments, dissertations and theses, through seminars and tutorials as required.  Many students have an interest in Dyslexia, and I am happy to work with them.

Publications [pdf]