My research interests are wide and trans-disciplinary but sit under the umbrella concept of social innovation in education. In other words the design, implementation and evaluation of innovative educational programmes, supports, interventions and initiatives to help release the potential of the most disadvantaged in society. This research is reflected in my extensive body of research outputs.

I conduct my educational research within a range of academic disciplines and allied professional practice areas including: social policy; social work; nursing; medicine; and psychology. I have particular substantive expertise in addressing educational underachievement through the research and development of social innovations. All my research is underpinned by my expertise in educational/psychological theory and methods.

1. Co-design of social innovations in education, by promoting innovative design that is interdependent, creative, informed by theory/evidence, described by an explicit programme logic model and focused on supporting the most disadvantaged in society.

2. Scientific implementation of social innovations in education, typified by working with diverse groups of partners (i.e. policymakers, civil servants, community leaders, practitioners and the general public) to ensure educational programmes are co-designed (as described above in 1.) and co-operatively delivered in a feasible manner with quality, fidelity, engagement etc.; and

3. Critical evaluation of social innovations in education, with particular expertise in the use of pragmatic randomised controlled trials (RCTs) in social and educational settings. Primarily, investigating whether social innovations are having their intended effect/impact on key outcome measures (i.e., reliable and valid educational, social, economic and wellbeing indicators) particularly for those most in need of support. But in addition, more general critical thinking about the analysis, evaluation and conclusions made from all types of data and evidence.

Summary of current role

Currently, I am a Lecturer in the School of Social Sciences Education and Social Work (SSESW). My activities include:

• Lecturing on and co-ordinating modules in the MEd course in the SSESW (e.g. Assessment Issues)
• Developing Masters level programmes on Community Social Innovation
• Supervising Masters Students
• Supervising Doctoral Students

I am also a Fellow in the Centre for Evidence and Social Innovation (CESI - www.qub.ac.uk/sites/cesi/). Within CESI my role is to enhance interdisciplinary research and teaching in the university and promote the use of evidence in policy and practice. Specific responsibilities include:

• I act as a Principal Investigator (PI), Co-investigator(CI) and Doctoral Supervisor on numerous research projects. To date, I have attracted external funding for 18 research projects with a value of over £3.2 million and £1.5 million secured as PI. I have been funded by several prestigious awarding bodies such as the Education Endowment Foundation (for whom I am an approved evaluator), Wellcome Trust and National Institute for Health Research (NIHR).

• Leading CESI’s work in their Innovation Zones (https://www.qub.ac.uk/research-centres/cesi/zones/), which are real and sustained partnerships with local disadvantaged communities and the many professionals, organisations, policymakers etc. working with those communities. This work has the innovative aim of increasing the co-production and use of research evidence within these communities to assist in transforming policy and practice in order to help them realise their full potential and break longstanding cycles of disadvantage.

• Acting lead on CESI’s what works for educational attainment programme, which is focused on breaking the link between disadvantage and educational underachievement. My main role is to lead the group, facilitate grant applications and help develop the academic profile of early career members.

I have provided undergraduate and postgraduate lectures on a wide range of education and social science topics including: prevention and early intervention; implementation science; programme/intervention design; quantitative research methods; educational assessment; evaluation research; and special educational needs.

Currently, I am a co-ordinator for the Educational Assessment module in the MEd in the School of Social Sciences Education and Social Work. I also lecture on prevention and early intervention on the Special Educational Needs module in the same Masters programme. Previously, I have helped develop the Improving Children's Lives interdisciplinary Masters at Queen's, which blended face-to-face and online learning.

I am also a research supervisor for a number of Doctoral level and Masters students (please contact me for current opportunties).