Research Interests

Alison’s research explores teacher and leader development from the perspective of teacher learning. She specialises in qualitative research methodologies. Her recent research interests include:

• The development and support of beginning teachers
• The development of school leaders
• Continuing professional development
• School-university partnerships
• The role of social media in teachers' professional learning
• The ethics of educational research
  

Alison is particularly interested in the roles of networking and collaboration in professional learning, and in supporting practitioner research connected with practice development and school improvement.

Research Projects

DFE commissioned 'Evaluation of the National College's modular curriculum and licensed provision' DfE no: EOR/SBU/2012034 (2013-2016)

Gatsby-funded research in support of the retention of beginning Science teachers (2006-2011)

TDA commissioned ‘state of the nation’ review of continuing professional development practices and values in English schools ‘Schools and Continuing Professional Development (CPD) in England State of the Nation Research Project T34718’

NCSL commissioned evaluation of online components of NCSL leadership development programmes (2006) ‘Online Evaluation and Impact Study ITT055’

TLRP/ESRC funded project into the development of learning how to learn practices in UK schools (2001-2005) ‘Learning how to learn: in classrooms, in schools and in networks L139 25 1020’

Topics for Doctoral Supervision

• Leadership development
  
• Professional development of teachers
• Teacher-led school improvement
• Teacher collaboration
• Educational networks and practitioner networking
• Teachers' use of social media for professional learning
  
• The development of assessment for learning practices