Skip Navigation

Research Laboratory

The Research Laboratory is a new initiative from the Faculty of Education, which brings university staff and our wider partnership together in the pursuit of educational research.

FoE will host a monthly session for members of the partnership to meet with researchers from the Faculty of Education, to discuss research ambitions and projects.

The laboratory will enable:

• on the spot advice, including ethical considerations, methodology, dissemination etc

• putting partners in touch with relevant colleagues in the Faculty who might share their interests or be looking to collaborate on a similar project

• direction to developmental opportunities in the Faculty, including research-focused CPD, and longer postgraduate research courses including MA Education, the MRes programmes, and the EdD.

Who Research Lab is for

Partners working in education, from early years to FE. You can find out more about joining our Partnership here.

We are also always looking for EHU staff to share their research journey with our partners. Please contact Dr Rachel Marsden via [email protected] if you have done research that might be of interest to our partnership, or if you have a research proposal and are seeking collaboration or some help.

Schedule

DateLocationSpeaker and SubjectTime
Thursday 19 October 2023OnlineDr Christina Donovan (SFE) – Practice Enquiry Circles4pm – 5pm
Thursday 9 November 2023OnlineSian Miles (PCE) – Digital Identities of Teachers4pm – 5pm
Tuesday 5 December 2023OnlineDr Clare Tyson (Homewood School and Sixth Form Centre) – Practitioner Research from the School Perspective 4pm – 5pm
Thursday 8 February 2024OnlineDr Lucy Bray (Faculty of Health) – Empowering Young People via Health Literacy4pm – 5pm
Wednesday 6 March 2024OnlinePeter Cranie (SFE) – Teacher Perceptions of Climate Change4pm – 5pm
Tuesday 16 April 2024OnlineHeather Marshall (SFE) – Veganism as a World View4pm – 5pm
Tuesday 9 May 2024CampusJo Fletcher-Saxon (Ashton Sixth Form College) – Learning and Skills Research Network 4pm – 5pm
Thursday 27 June 2024CampusTBC – Could this be you? If you would like to present at Research Lab, contact [email protected]4pm – 5pm
To be confirmedOnlineVictoria Jamieson (EY) – Community of Philosophical Inquiry to Explore the Concept of Social Justice4pm – 5pm
Research Laboratory booking link

We will begin with a keynote speaker explaining their research, then open up to a forum of questions, ideas, and networking. In the summer term, there will be the option to attend the sessions on our beautiful campus in Ormskirk.

Sign up

Sign up to join our mailing list and you will be sent details of how to take part (via a Microsoft Teams meeting invitation) and more information about upcoming meetings. Please note that some of our sessions may be recorded. If you no longer wish to receive invitations to these events please email [email protected] and you will be removed from the mailing list.

About Research Laboratory

What is Research Laboratory?

Unlike the natural sciences, social science research rarely takes place in a lab, so is less visible. Whilst Research Laboratory isn’t a physical space, it does provide a platform for educators and researchers to work together, in the true spirit of a laboratory.

Why?

From our work with schools and other education providers across the North West, and beyond, it is clear that we have a common interest in research, whether that is reading up on existing theories, or producing new knowledge from one’s own enquiries.

Current projects

Research Circles

Following a collaborative research approach originating in Sweden, Research Circles are a way for educators to look closely at their own practice. Dr Karen Boardman, Head of Department for Early Years, has been working with partners from EYFS settings. Dr Christina Donovan has also worked on projects using the Research Circle approach to evaluate a professional development programme for advanced practitioners in FE.

Faculty of Education Reading Group

Led by Dr Victoria Jamieson, lecturer in primary education, this reading group meets online every three weeks on a Thursday to discuss a chapter of a key text about education.

Rainford High Longitudinal Research

Two teachers from one of our partner schools are monitoring the academic attainment and perceptions of current Year 7 pupils throughout their time at Rainford High. Research Laboratory is aiding this exciting project with access to literature, data analysis, and ethical considerations. We look forward to hearing about their findings as they emerge.

Useful links