I am currently the Subject Lead for the Secondary PGCE in English and act as the University Based Tutor for Secondary English trainee teachers. In this role, I oversee the training of English teachers and their mentors, and quality assure the professional placement learning of English trainees. I also lead the Master’s level module for the Secondary PGCE, as well as teaching on the Professional Studies module. Additionally, I lead on oracy for the Secondary PGCE, coordinating Intensive Training and Practice in this pivotal teaching practice, as well as organising extra-curricular activities such as a Teacher Book Club and Shared Reading group in conjunction with The Reader.

With several years’ experience as a secondary English teacher and sixth-form lecturer, I moved into teacher education in 2021, lecturing on both undergraduate and postgraduate teacher training programmes for aspiring English teachers. I have also taught MA Education, and I currently supervise doctoral candidates.

My PhD focused on teaching as a research-informed profession, and I have presented on this topic at several high-profile conferences such as the British Educational Research Association. I have also published articles and book chapters on this topic, and my work continues to influence my teaching, particularly in the academic module ‘Becoming a Critical Practitioner’, where I empower trainee teachers to question and critique research by putting it into dialogue with their own practice.

Recently, I have combined my expertise in teacher research with my passion for English teaching, and secured a grant from the United Kingdom Literacy Association to conduct a Lesson Study into the teaching of reading. This was a collaborative research project with an Early Career Teacher and an experienced teacher, and enabled these professionals to engage with existing research, and in the creation of their own research, to enhance their practice.

My research interests now turn to the most pressing issue in education – social justice. I am particularly interested in the education of Young Carers, and welcome collaborators in this area.