Why I stayed at the University of Bristol for my PhD after my Masters

Posted on by cu19879

University of Bristol graduate Jasrael Stokes recently completed her doctorate, earning a PhD from the School of Education. We caught up with her to discover what encouraged her to continue studying for her PhD at Bristol after completing her Masters in Psychology of Education with us, and where she hopes her academic achievements will take her next.

Jasrael on her graduation day, celebrating her MSc in Psychology of Education.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Jasrael. I’m from Seattle, Washington, in the United States, but have now lived in Bristol for eight years with my two lovely cats. Before coming to Bristol for my Master’s, I taught English in public elementary and junior high schools in Osaka, Japan for four years. I’m passionate about language learning and teaching, and I am constantly learning languages as a hobby. I am fluent in Japanese, have a pretty good understanding of Spanish, and can comprehend Korean, Mandarin, and German to varying degrees!

(more…)

Doctoral Student Spotlight: Timothy Lai, Doctorate in Education (EdD) graduate

Posted on by cu19879

What is studying at the School of Education like when you live abroad? Our recent Doctorate in Education (EdD) graduate, Dr Timothy Lai, reveals what studying for his degree while living in Hong Kong was like, and dives into his groundbreaking research into how virtual reality (VR) can impact the learning of nursing students.

Timothy Lai celebrating on his graduation day in 2024.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am a nurse by profession in Hong Kong and have been an educator of nurses for over 10 years at a university here. I am interested in technology and would like to apply it in teaching.

(more…)

From academic publications to transforming dialogues: Professor Diane Reay in Bristol

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

By Rodolfo Benites, School of Education, University of Bristol

 On November 8th, 2024, the University of Bristol hosted two events to celebrate Professor Diane Reay, Emeritus Professor of Education at the University of Cambridge, for her trajectory. This blog post shares insights about both spaces and why learning about her legacy might be essential to new education researchers. (more…)

Engaging with research – the magic bullet?

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

Helen Aberdeen, Senior Lecturer in Education, PGCE Subject Lead, Modern Foreign Languages, School of Education

Background and context

Recent policy documents and reforms in teacher education have led to an ever stronger imperative for teachers and trainee teachers to engage with research. The most recent Ofsted inspection handbook (2020) for initial teacher education (ITE) describes a good curriculum as one which ‘is designed to ensure that trainees engage with up to date or pertinent research findings’.

This aspiration is reflected in the Core Content Framework (CCF) for ITE, published as part of the wide-ranging reforms to teacher education in 2020. The CCF lays out a minimum level of core knowledge and skills which all trainees should acquire during their training. It consists of a series of ‘know that’ and ‘know how to’ statements, aligned to the 8 Teachers’ Standards. The ‘know that’ statements purport to be based on the ‘best available evidence’, and the foreword to the CFF (2019) encourages trainee teachers and their mentors to engage more deeply with the detailed bibliography ‘to support their critical engagement with research.’ (more…)

Three key areas of research evidence that could help us address the public health crisis in children’s speech and language skills

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

Why academic evidence is urgently needed if we are serious about supporting children’s language development

By Dr Ioanna Bakopoulou, University of Bristol, Professor Liz Washbrook, University of Bristol

In the UK, it is currently estimated that 1.9 million children are behind with their talking and understanding of words (Speech and Language UK, 2023). This is the highest number ever recorded and marks an unprecedented increase – particularly prevalent in areas of social deprivation. In fact, the increase in speech, language and communication needs is so great that now meets the criteria to be considered a public health problem (Law et al., 2017). (more…)

In Conversation with Ahanah Bhatnagar, BSc Education Studies Alumna

Posted on by cu19879

In 2021, Ahanah shared her top tips for new students starting at the School of Education during the final year of her Education Studies degree. Four years on, we caught up with Ahanah to see what she’s been up to since graduating from the School of Education and to find out about her favourite moments while studying with us.

Ahanah standing in front of the Wills Memorial Building on her graduation day.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

My name is Ahanah, I came to the University of Bristol as an international student from Hong Kong! I was one of the first few cohorts of the Education Studies course and during my time at university, I got involved in a lot of the activities within the Student Union. (more…)

Doctoral Student Spotlight: Antonia Voigt, Education PhD Student & Best Full Paper Award Winner

Posted on by cu19879

Antonia has been paving the way for greater sustainability management in UK universities after choosing to explore the topic for her doctoral thesis. Her work was even recognised for a prestigious award last year! 

We caught up with Antonia to learn more about her area of research expertise, her journey as a PhD student at the School of Education, and what her hopes are for her groundbreaking research after successfully defending her doctoral thesis.

Antonia presenting her PhD findings at the 84th Annual Meeting of the Academy of Management, the preeminent professional association for management and organization scholars.

Tell us a little bit about yourself!

I am a passionate researcher, and for the last nine years, I have immersed myself in the world of academia. I believe in the power of lifelong learning. Every year, I have pushed myself a little further beyond my comfort zone and tried out something new. Whether through presenting my research at a global conference or serving as the Faculty PGR representative at the University of Bristol, I am striving to have a positive impact on people’s lives. On the rare occasions when I am not at university, you will probably find me folding intricate origami figures or watching the latest K-drama series.

(more…)

In Conversation With Dr. Siân Ephgrave, Education PhD Graduate & Faculty of Social Science and Law Doctoral Prize Winner 2024!

Posted on by cu19879

We spoke with Dr. Siân Ephgrave, a former Education PhD student at the School of Education, who was recently awarded the Faculty of Social Science and Law Doctoral Prize for 2024! We found out all about her reaction to winning the prestigious prize, Sian’s experience studying with us, and what she plans to do now.

Dr. Siân Ephgrave with her daughter on her graduation day.

Tell us a little bit about you!

My name is Siân Ephgrave and I live in East Bristol with my daughter and partner. I grew up in North London and attended my local state primary and secondary schools, and sixth form college, before completing my undergraduate degree in English at Swansea University.

I was a secondary school teacher of English from 2003 until 2015 when I was awarded a full scholarship by the Economic and Social Research Council to undertake doctoral research into teacher wellbeing.

(more…)

Reading for pleasure in German at A-level: an interview with Professor Katrin Kohl

Posted on by School of Education University of Bristol

By Cathy Shail, PhD, School of Education

As part of the literature review research for my doctoral study, a phenomenology into reading for pleasure at A-level in German, I conducted an expert interview with Katrin Kohl, Professor for German literature at the University of Oxford.

Her book Modern Languages – why it matters was of great interest and there were some ideas she raised that I felt were relevant to my study. I was also eager to glean the perspective of a modern linguist on the topic of reading for pleasure and second or third language acquisition.

The questions I designed were aimed at exploring her views on the reading for pleasure process, its impact and role in language acquisition as well as meaning-making. The A-level literary curriculum and examples of accessible reading in German for young linguists were other aspects upon which I was equally keen to seek her opinion. (more…)

In Conversation With: Pen Williams, Education PhD Student & BERA SIG Best Presentation Award Winner

Posted on by cu19879

We spoke with Pen Williams, an Education PhD student and doctoral researcher at the School of Education, who recently won the Nature, Outdoor Learning and Play Special Interest Group (SIG) Best Presentation Award at the British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference. She told us all about her journey at the School of Education so far – progressing from her Masters degree to her PhD – to her specialist research interests and her reaction to receiving the prestigious award this year.

Tell us a little bit about you!  

I’m currently in the third year of my PhD at the School of Education and am busy analysing the data I collected earlier this year! Before returning to full time study, I was a secondary teacher for about 20 years, teaching English in schools and colleges in and around Bristol. I also work with the Global Goals Centre on delivering their workshops based on the sustainable development goals. Other than that, I’m a mum, proud Bristolian and season ticket holder at Ashton Gate for the Bristol Bears! 

(more…)