Get to know our Education MA course team

Our Education MA here at the University of Brighton is shaped by our incredible course team who bring a wealth of knowledge and experience from a range of different educational backgrounds.  

Our team are passionate about supporting all of our education students to make sure they have the tools and confidence to thrive in new challenges and contribute meaningfully to the sector as a whole.  

But what truly sets our course here at Brighton apart? We asked the course team to share their thoughts on what makes this course unique – here’s what they had to say: 

Dr Alison Barnes, course leader  

Alison specialises in postgraduate education research and primary mathematics education. She is a qualified teacher with more than 30 years of experience in education, including as a primary teacher, mathematics consultant, university lecturer, supervisor and education researcher.  

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field? 

“Our students and their areas of interest, concern and passion are at the heart of our Education MA. Students can tailor every module of the course to their areas of professional and academic interest.  

“Our blended approach of in-person and online teaching, combined with regular collaboration with peers, is designed to support busy professionals to thrive in their postgraduate study. These enable our students to experience transformational research and professional development that can lead to exciting career opportunities within education and research.”  

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum? 

“All aspects of our course create stimulating learning opportunities, so as an educator with a passion for lifelong learning, it is difficult to pick out just one aspect of our course as a favourite. However, in the final year, students work with their supervisors to plan and lead their own research, and report on their findings.  

“It’s so rewarding to see our students grow in confidence, knowledge and expertise through their research studies and complete the course as experts in their field with the research skills to continue to create knowledge.” 

Dr Nosheen Rachel 

Nosheen has over 18 years of experience teaching and project management in UK Higher Education. She completed her PhD in peer mentoring in Higher Education in 2013, and in the same year took the PG Cert in Higher Education.   

Nosheen also has extensive experience in teaching International/Comparative Education and social research methods, contributing to teaching on the MA and PhD programmes at the Dept. of International Education at Stockholm University, Sweden and at universities in Pakistan. 

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field? 

“Our MA Education course is designed to reflect the synergy between students and staff, through a shared sense of partnership in learning, to develop strategies for change in response to the challenges of the contemporary learning landscape for our students’ personal and career aspirations. With a clear focus on social justice the course aims to provide leverage to new initiatives for inclusive education.” 

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum? 

I enjoy teaching on the dissertation module, helping students develop evidence-based research on the challenges and opportunities of their practice. The students select an area of interest for research to understand and create paths to enhance learning, either through pedagogic practice, or through institutional or organisational change. 

Richard Harvey-Swanston

Richard is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the Chartered College of Teaching, the British Society for Research into Learning of Mathematics, and the Association of Teachers of Mathematics. 

Drawing on 10 years of experience as a primary school teacher and leader, his approach to teaching is rooted in developing practitioners’ subject knowledge as well as their personal beliefs about learning through collaborative activity, coaching and critical engagement with research literature. 

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field? 

“The transition into masters-level study involves developing critical thinking skills, understanding of educational research and habits of mind – and structured support and opportunities for collaboration have been so carefully woven through the course.

“Doing an MA is a transformative experience and the course here at the University of Brighton enables this but with a uniquely ‘Brighton’ inclusive approach and vibrant programme.”

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum? 

“The opportunities for personalisation: each module assessment can be focussed on your passions and interests, and the challenges you want to address.

“We will support you to interpret each module for your specific context and concerns, and that means you benefit from learning that is of immediate relevance for your professional role, maximising the potential for impact.”

Dr Nancy Barclay

Nancy is an experienced primary school teacher, with a background in consultancy for local authority primary mathematics. Her research focuses on the teaching and learning of primary mathematics, including the impact of policy on classroom mathematical activity. Her particular interests are in the social context of primary mathematics learning, including the role of dialogue in learning. 

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field? 

“The MA at Brighton offers the opportunity to delve into topics of relevance and interest at wonderful depth. Students gain so much from the opportunity to analyse, reflect, and discuss issues that affect education and hugely value the way that group sessions draw on the expertise and experience of other students as well as that of tutors and authors in the field.  

“The course enables participants to go to a whole new level of confidence, reflection and awareness and can produce transformational change that stimulates new pathways for years to come.” 

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum? 

“I relish my engagement in this course and my teaching on the social justice module and the dissertation module as well as my supervision of dissertation students.  

“Working on this course is always thought-provoking and enjoyable and I am constantly impressed with the ideas and engagement of the students we recruit.” 

Professor Andrew Hobson

Andy is Professor of Teacher Learning and Development, Associate Dean for Research and Knowledge Exchange in the School of Education, Sport and Health Sciences, and Editor of the International Journal of Mentoring and Coaching in Education.

His research focuses on support for the professional learning, development and wellbeing of teachers and leaders, with particular emphasis on teacher and head teacher mentoring.

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field?

“I know how knowledgeable and committed the Brighton course team is, and that my colleagues are brilliant teachers and leave no stone unturned in ensuring that colleagues following the MA Education are set up to succeed and achieve to the best of their abilities.”

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum?

“I love to support colleagues to undertake their own rigorous research project for their dissertation, and to witness their development as researchers who are making an original contribution to knowledge and producing work that can have a positive impact on educational practice. Some of those who have managed to find the time have even gone on to publish their work in education research journals, which is wonderful to see.”

Lis Bundock

Lis is an experienced teacher educator with a research background in gender and education, particularly the experiences of LGBTQ+ and gender-diverse teachers. Her work explores issues of identity, inclusion, and social justice in education. She is passionate about supporting students in using creative methods and conducting impactful, critically engaged research.

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field?

“Each module within our MA Education course encourages students to explore the issues that matter most to them, allowing them to critically examine contemporary educational challenges in depth. This engagement leads to a deeper understanding of complex issues and encourages students to connect these insights to their own settings.

With a strong emphasis on inclusion and addressing inequalities in education, we create a supportive space where students can develop their own voice in research and practice.”

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum?

“I particularly enjoy teaching on the Social Justice in Education module, where students critically engage with issues of equity, power, and representation in education. The module challenges taken-for-granted assumptions and encourages students to examine how education can both reinforce and disrupt social inequalities.”

Dr Jools Page

Jools has extensive experience in postgraduate teaching. Prior to joining the University of Brighton, for 8 years Jools directed and taught on MA programmes in the UK and overseas. Jools is best known for her research on attachment-based relationships between adults and children under three years in group day care provision.

Jools aims to advance understanding in the field by constructing supportive teaching contexts and being a sensitively inclusive educator, recognising and supporting the challenges which students often face during their academic journey.

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field?

“Our Education MA offers students an opportunity to work with renowned researchers who have extensive and diverse experience of research and teaching across all phases of education from early years to tertiary.”

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum?

“I really value working with motivated and inspiring postgraduate students who frequently have a wealth of experience in educational contexts. I enjoy finding out about their professional interests as part of the research methods module and in their dissertation.”

Professor Michael Jopling

Michael is a Professor of Education and has been involved in teaching and researching education for over 20 years. His research explores areas including education policy, leadership, disadvantage, and (post)digital learning.

What sets Brighton’s Education MA apart from other courses in the field?

“I think the Education MA at Brighton offers more flexibility and range than comparable courses. Students are supported to develop a solid foundation in key issues relating to education, both in England and internationally, from which they can then explore issues that interest them.

“Teaching combines face-to-face and online approaches, scheduled to fit with the demands of students’ professional lives, as well as offering lots of opportunities for them to learn with and from each other.”

What is your favourite part of the Education MA curriculum?

“I really enjoy the range of interests, experiences and backgrounds that students bring to the MA, which we are able to integrate into the curriculum. It’s also always fascinating to watch students develop and progress as they increase their confidence and understanding and really get to grips with postgraduate study.”

Start your journey with us

Interested in where an Education MA can take you next? Find out more about modules, graduate outcomes and student stories on our Education MA course page.