I have been involved in all areas of educational research, from early years and compulsory education through to post-compulsory and higher education and lifelong learning.  However, my research interests coalesce around school collaboration, educational leadership, and addressing disadvantage, particularly in relation to vulnerable young people and families. I am also very interested in the application of theory to education research and the implications of postdigitality.

Before joining University of Brighton, I was Professor of Education and Director of the Education Observatory at University of Wolverhampton (2017-22) and Professor in Education at Northumbria University (2014-17).  I studied at UCL, University Sussex and Goldsmiths, University of London and worked for Becta and the National College for School Leadership before moving into HE. I am the convenor of EERA's Children and Youth at Risk and Urban Education network and co-editor of the forthcoming collection, Human Data Interaction, Disadvantage and Skills in the Community: Enabling Cross-Sector Environments for Postdigital Inclusion, which will be published by Springer later in 2023.

I would like to hear from prospective students who are interested in undertaking research in areas such as addressing disadvantage in education, leadership and school improvement, vulnerability and wellbeing, and (post)digital technologies in education. Other areas in which I have supervised include:

• Theory and mythology in teaching and learning
• Digital ethnography and pedagogy
• Pupil voice and classroom talk in secondary schools
• The self-improving school system
• Challenging school readiness
• Inclusive practice