Geoff Whitty was Director of the Institute of Education from 2000 to 2010, and is widely credited with leading the Institute to new heights in terms of its local, national and international standing. Previously, he taught in primary and secondary schools before pursuing a career in higher education at Bath University, the University of Wisconsin-Madison, King’s College London, Bristol Polytechnic and Goldsmiths College. Prior to becoming Director, Geoff held the Institute’s prestigious Karl Mannheim Chair in Sociology of Education, as well as serving as Chair of the Department of Policy Studies and Dean of Research. He now holds the title of Director Emeritus of the UCL Institute of Education. He also has a part-time Research Professorship at Bath Spa University and a Global Innovation Chair at the University of Newcastle, Australia, where he co-directs the Centre of Excellence for Equity in Higher Education.