What hope for professional development when we have ‘froth instead of beer’?

Beer froth

Professional development in England is shaped by policymakers. What is the true meaning behind the political vocabulary of England in 2017? In this blog I argue that the politics that is shaping professional development in England in 2017 is more Read more…


Professional development in pedagogy with technology in higher education: A brave new world?

phones in class

The IPDA (International Professional Development Association) conference at the University of Stirling in 2016 witnessed a number of highlights. One highlight that led to much post-keynote discussion was Jan Vermunt’s recommendation for us to explore the hidden themes within education. Read more…


Meyer H-D. & Benavot A. (eds.) (2013) PISA, Power, and Policy: the emergence of global educational governance. Oxford: Symposium Books

335 pages ISBN 978-1-873927-96-0 The book is a series of essays from 23 different authors. After an overview in the introduction, and an insight into how PISA data has been used, the book is divided into four main sections: The Read more…


Winkle-Wagnrer R and Locks A M (2014) Diversity and Inclusion on Campus: Supporting racially and ethnically under-represented students. London: Routledge

218 pages ISBN 978 0 415 80707 4 For students of, and practitioners in, the post secondary sector in the USA, this book is comprehensive in terms of racial and ethnic diversity and diversity and inclusion matters.  It does not, Read more…


Lawn M (ed) (2013) The Rise of Data in Education Systems: Collection, visualization and use Oxford: Symposium Books

160 page ISBN:  978 1 873927 32 8 I must admit that the title of this edited text did not excite me, but I did feel it would be useful for me to examine how and why the use of Read more…