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 (post)digital education and learning, addressing disadvantage, particularly in relation to vulnerable young people and families, young people's voice, and educational leadership. I am also very interested in the application of theory to education research and policy.

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 Education researcher and author of Understanding Postdigital Education (forthcoming, 2026).

I am not in a position to take on any new doctoral students at the moment.  I currently supervise in areas including the following:

• Addressing disadvantage in education
• (Post)digital technologies & education.
• Vulnerability and wellbeing
• Leadership and school improvement
• Learner voice and dialogic learning
• Challenging school readiness.