PGCE; BA; MEd; PhD

Research Interests

Research activity is in two main areas. The principal strand linking my work has been the application of ideas from economics to education. This has contributed to a diversity of projects, including work on the finance of schools and colleges, the career paths of graduates, the management of resources and the deployment of staff in educational institutions. A second strand is research in medical and dental education. This is focused on post-graduate education and training with a particular emphasis on the training curriculum for junior doctors.

Research Grants

Since 1996, research grants and contracts for 15 projects with an income in excess of £2m

Teaching and administration responsibilities

His principal responsibility is the supervision of students registered for research degrees.

Other Professional Activities

• Consultancy and research projects in about 20 countries.
• Senior Education Adviser to The British Council.
• At various times, external examiner at six universities.
• Consultancies for the Office for Standards in Education (Ofsted), individual LEAs and consortia of LEAs.
• ESRC project referee.
• School and college governor.

Publications (selected)

Thomas, H., Hicks, J., Martin, G. and Cressey, G. (2008) Induction and transition in the National Health service for four professional groups. Learning in Health and Social Care 7 (1): 27-36

Fraser, A., Thomas, H., Deighan, M., Davison, I., Bedward, J.., Field, S. and Kelly, S. (2007). Directions for change: a national survey of general practice training in the United Kingdom. Education for Primary Care 18(1): 22-34.

Markham, WA., Aveyard, P., Bullock, A. and Thomas, H. (2006) A preliminary investigation into factors influencing limiting long-standing illness among UK university graduates: a retrospective cohort study Health: an interdisciplinary journal for the social study of health, illness and medicine 10 (1):  47-73

Parry, J., Mathers, J., Stevens, A., Parsons, A., Lilford, R., Spurgeon, P. and Thomas, H. (2006) Admissions processes for five year medical courses at English schools: review. British Medical Journal April 332: 1005 – 1009

Thomas, Hywel (2005) Education and Modernization. Educational Review 57 (2): May 235-245

Thomas, Hywel (2004) ‘Reino-Unido’, In Jorge Werthein E Celio da Cunha (Orgs.) Educacao e Conhecimento: A experiencia dos que avancaram  UNESCO: Brasilia

Thomas, H et al (2004) The Evaluation of the Transforming the School Workforce Pathfinder Project Research Report 541, London: DfES 93pp ISBN1 84478 243 3

Publications 2001 - 2009 [complete, pdf, 325 KB, opens new window]