Louisa Dawes is a senior lecturer at the University of Manchester and has worked on a number of teacher education programmes as lecturer and tutor for over ten years. She works and leads on a number of postgraduate programmes. Her research interests lie around professional development for mentors and enhancing student experiences in initial teacher education, with a particular interest in research to support those working in socioeconomically disadvantaged areas.

Prior to her arrival at the university in 2011, Louisa taught for 20 years in secondary and primary schools. Much of her work included leading regional and national teaching and learning initiatives and mentoring colleagues through the process. Her research interest focuses on pedagogic approaches that maximise both engagement and learning.