My research interests span two themes: education and social justice, and the nature of higher education. I am interested in inter-relationships between education and society, and between theory and day-to-day practice. I have explored different interpretations of critical pedagogy, and particularly the ways in which conceptualisations of knowledge impact upon social justice. Much of my work is informed by critical theory, and I have a special interest in the work of Theodor Adorno. Over recent years I have developed the concept of assessment for social justice and on this basis challenged traditional assumptions about authentic assessment and student grading. I have published several monographs and edited books and a wide range of journal articles.