Research and scholarship projects

Photo of a a blue measuring tool, a tub of cereal and bags of pasta on a table
Exploring the teaching of multiplicative reasoning through measures (2024-2025)

Funded by the Open University’s Faculty of Well-being, Education and Language’s Research Development Fund, this design-based research project is working with teachers and learners to trial, evaluate and develop measures based tasks to support multiplicative reasoning in the primary school.

Illustration of a face on a blue background with jigsaw pieces in the head
Developing reflective practice in Initial Teacher Education (2024-25)

Funded by the Open University’s Faculty of Well-being, Education and Language’s PRAXIS Centre for Scholarship and Innovation, this project is working with student teachers to develop a tool-kit to support student teachers’ reflective practice.

Formative evaluation of the Curriculum for Wales (2024-26)

Working with a consortium led by Arad Research and commissioned by the Welsh Government, an extensive programme of research is engaging with schools to gather insights into the overall experiences of the Curriculum for Wales, and how specific elements are implemented in different contexts.

Young woman sat at a table and explaining to a group
Developing professional conversations (2023-24)

Funded by the Open University’s Faculty of Well-being, Education and Language’s PRAXIS Centre for Scholarship and Innovation, this study provides insight into the ‘professional conversations’ that the Partnerships’ Practice Tutors have with student teachers and mentors.

ZEST (Zambia Education School-based Training) (2023-24)

In collaboration with World Vision Zambia and funded by the Scottish Government; an Action Research project with teachers in Zambia explored their reflections of using the active teaching and learning approaches of ZEST.

Supporting personal target setting for early career teachers (2023-24)

In partnership with Ysgol Nantgwyn and funded by Central South Consortium, this participatory research project developed a collaborative early career teacher framework to underpin personal target setting.

The use of video technology for reflection on lessons (2022-23)

Funded by the Open University’s Faculty of Well-being, Education and Language’s PRAXIS Centre for Scholarship and Innovation, this study has informed understanding of the benefits and challenges of using video technology on lessons. A bank of resources created by the project support partner schools and student teachers.

Effective mentoring in ITE: What works and why (2021-22)

This research was funded by the Open University’s Faculty of Well-being, Education and Language’s PRAXIS Centre for Scholarship and Innovation. It used artefacts to explore mentoring approaches across the OU ITE Partnership. A collection of case studies showcase approaches in different school contexts.

Implementation of Curriculum for Wales (2021-23)

Working with Arad Research (commissioned by the Welsh Government) a series of studies completed: a scoping study to understand sector readiness for the new curriculum, including qualitative research with practitioners; and understanding how the curriculum and assessment reforms are working for practitioners and learners in schools and settings, and the barriers and facilitators to successful implementation (Wave 1, Wave 2 reports).