Applications are invited for a PhD studentship in the area of Teacher Education and School Development within the School of Sport and Education.  A new Department of Education will be formed in September 2014 in a new university structure designed to facilitate interdisciplinary collaboration, alongside the Arts and Social Sciences. We are currently developing a five year research strategy in order to take forward research within our Pedagogy and Professional Practice (PPP) and Education, Identities and Social Inclusion (EISI) research groups. As part of our vision for 2014 and beyond, we are looking to build research capacity in these areas. This studentship would be associated with the PPP research group.  Examining the ‘Rounds’ Method in Teacher and School Development Professor Viv Ellis is inviting applications for one PhD studentship related to a research and development project associated with changes to Brunel’s initial teacher education programmes.  The start date is to be agreed but the studentship will not commence before 1st October 2014.

‘Education Rounds’ are currently being advanced as a powerful tool for teacher professional development and school improvement.  Given the high profile of the ‘rounds’ method, there is little evidence of impact on practice and little understanding of the processes of teacher learning the ‘rounds’ model is said to promote.   The proposed research therefore has three aims: (i) to examine the kinds of learning that might be promoted through the ‘rounds’ method; (ii) to investigate potential relationships between individual teacher development and school development; and (iii) to evaluate the impact of the application of the ‘rounds’ in terms of outcomes. For informal discussions about this project, please contact viv.ellis@brunel.ac.uk

Eligibility

Applicants must have a 2:1 or first class undergraduate degree in the Arts or Social Sciences and preferably hold a relevant master’s degree in Education or a related discipline. This studentship is available on a maximum three year full-time or maximum four year part-time basis.  Full time offers a bursary of £12,940 plus full time Home/EU tuition fees for a maximum of three years and will be pro-rated for part-time students.  Successful full-time applicants will be required to contribute 150 hours towards the teaching and learning-related activities of the Education area in each academic year. Part-time students will make a more limited contribution by negotiation.

How to Apply

Please e-mail the following to sse-pgrcourses@brunel.ac.uk by 12 Noon on Friday 21st March 2014:

• A full and current CV;

• A one page, single-spaced personal statement setting out why you are a suitable candidate and how your previous qualifications and experience would help you to complete the research successfully;

• A one page, single-spaced statement summarising the teaching and learning activities (or related activities) in which you have experience with some proposals about how you may contribute to the work of the Education area during your studentship;

• Names and contact details for three referees (two academic referees, including your most recent supervisor/tutor and one personal).

Interviews will take place on Monday, 31st March 2014. For further information, please contact our Research Administrator on +44 (0)1895 266 492 or sse-pgrcourses@brunel.ac.uk