In short, I love BERA. I am one of the convenors of the Mental Health and Wellbeing SIG, part of the Conference and Events Committee and was also part of the BERA Ethics Guidelines review group for the upcoming version. I am very keen to increase my support of BERA as a trustee, and to help BERA go from strength to strength in the future – for me, BERA is more important than ever in the current education
landscape across our four nations.

Going way back, my background as a working-class kid growing up in Grimsby has given me insight into the power and powerlessness of education, in the face of grinding poverty and disadvantage. As one of the fortunate winners of 1980s Humberside, to become a primary teacher, EYFS lead and now ITE leader, I have an appreciation for education research and how data and depth of understanding are
essential for all of us in the sector if we are to dismantle the barriers to achievement that stood in the way of so many of my peer group. BERA plays a huge part in this. My research is always driven by an ethic of care, and an aim to make life better for educators, students and children.

My doctorate was on teachers who are mothers and I am a passionate advocate of better and more support for women and girls in education.

Skills and experience:

In terms of my working life, I am a qualified teacher, and taught every year group from Nursery to Year 6 during my teaching career. I am now the Head of School, School of Education at Leeds Trinity University and have gained experience in leadership and management throughout my school and HEI career. I am also a deputy chair at UCET, member of the All Party Parliamentary Group
for the Teaching Profession and chair of the National Primary Teacher Educator Council (NaPTEC).

I prize my relationships with colleagues – relationships are my treasure – and nurturing positive and productive communities is one of my key skills. I have juggled a baby and a doctorate, hundreds of students and schools during a pandemic – I haven’t done any of it alone, I work with brilliant people and my relationships are what I am most proud of.
I am honest, hardworking and like many women of a certain age, have got the bottled fury of being overlooked, dismissed and right (most of the time) to drive me forwards!