Group members

Dr Hugh Busher, Dr Chris Comber, Dr Maarten Tas, Dr Paul Warwick, Dr Phil Wood, Ms Melanie Wilde

Group contact: Dr Phil Wood

Scope and Purpose

•  To investigate notions of participatory approaches to innovation & reform in education.
• To develop understanding of participatory research methodologies.
• To critically and creatively explore new paradigms of education and schooling for the 21st century that are underpinned by a participatory pedagogy 

We focus on a number of areas which relate to the notions of innovation and reform of the education system through the use of participatory approaches. 
The group is interested in investigating new, emerging paradigms of schooling in its widest sense. This includes research into learning processes, seeing learning as a process which occurs beyond the close confines of traditional classroom settings, alongside research into participatory models of teaching.

The main focus on innovation and reform is also supported by a keen interest in the methods of participatory research, especially in relation to action research and ethnography. With the fast moving pace of reform and development within education, the group also fosters an interest in identifying and analysing educational horizons/futures as a broader context in which to position our work.

For more information about members’ research interests please see individual profiles

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