Ruth works in the field of critical studies in education, focusing on public education, social justice, democracy, and school reform. Her academic career that has traversed five universities in three countries is driven by a desire to ensure socially critical research examines and informs public education.

Her academic work investigates and reconceptualises public education, public interests and how educational publics are constituted. In education we need to redefine the nature of public education in response to challenges from the legacy of over 30 years of neoliberal policy and more recent fundamentalisms and populisms.

Ruth was elected onto BERA Council in 2015, re-elected in 2018 and her term ended in 2021.