Leanne is a Lecturer in Education Studies in the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. Her research interests are in the areas of educational trajectories and transitions, language and education policy, educational assessment and young people's perspectives on education.

She was previously a Research Fellow in Language Policy in the School of Arts, English and Languages, working on the AHRC Modern Languages Leadership Fellowship Language Policy Project ‘Foreign, indigenous and community languages in the devolved regions of the UK: policy and practice for growth.’ 

Her current research considers education policy in relation to language learning and focuses on language learner aspirations in relation to curriculum and assessment at post-primary level. This research shows serious inequalities in the provision and practice of language learning and in uptake of languages qualifications beyond the compulsory phase.  

Member of the Centre for Research in Linguistics, Centre for Children's Rights and Centre for Language Education Research. 

Leanne is an 'Accredited Researcher' with the Office for National Statistics.  

Read more about Leanne's work here.

Leanne is Programme Director for the new BA(Hons) Education Studies which will accept its first cohort of students in September 2025. She convenes the MEd module 'Contemporary Perspectives on Learning and Teaching' and teaches on the PGCE course in the areas of Modern Languages Education, Linguistically Responsive Education, Diversity and Inclusion, and Educational Assessment. 

She was previously International Students Tutor for the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. Her Colleague Yecid Ortega has taken up this role. 

She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Leanne is actively involved in the work of the British Educational Research Association and sits as a member of their Engagement Committee.

She completed her PhD in Education at the School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work at Queen’s University Belfast.  Her doctoral research adopted a rights based approach to consider the processes, practices and experiences of transition to secondary education in Northern Ireland.  

She has also worked as a French teacher and Head of Modern Languages at post-primary level