Centre for Education Research and Scholarship (CERS)

Based in the Education Department at Middlesex University, the Centre for Education Research and Scholarship:

  • Carries out and disseminates research through three Special Interest Groups (SIGs): Childhood and Society; Higher Education and Professional Practice; and Professional Education and Partnerships 
  • Fosters an active research culture in the Education Department at Middlesex University and further afield, enabling research to impact on HE learning and teaching, and the teaching practice of our students
  • Supports researcher development through our doctoral programmes, research student community, training and supportive resources
  • Oversees the education ethics committee, through which student and staff researchers can obtain ethical approval to carry out research

 

CERS supports a wide range of research projects. Current highlights include:   

  • Research funded by the Nuffield Foundation (£278,089) on achieving high quality provision in the baby room of English nurseries. The research will generate a sector-wide vision of what high quality provision looks and feels like when working with 0-2 year olds in group settings. The research is led by Dr Mona Sakr.  
  • Minibeasts of Barnet is a research and development pilot project that takes a novel approach to re-thinking relationships to the environment by investigating how important multispecies flourishing is to all of us. Underpinned by philosophically-informed childhood research, the project involves working in close partnership with teachers by tapping into work already underway in Reception classes. The research is led by Professor Jayne Osgood and Professor Victoria de Rijke. 
  • Research on the phenomenon of parental activism in education. Utilising qualitative methods of data collection, the research explores parents’ reasons and motivations for becoming involved in activism, their experiences of being involved, the strategies and tactics they use, the relationships they form with fellow campaigners, and the impact campaigning has on their family lives. The research is led by Dr Nathan Fretwell. 

For information on other active projects and for updates on the projects described above, more information is available on the CERS website.

We have built a strong reputation as an innovator in higher education and we have a strong emphasis on interdisciplinary activity.

In the Department of Education we offer PhDs and DProfs; two high quality research programmes that aim to tackle current national and international research priorities within the context of education.

PhD route

PhDs are offered via full-time and offers a traditional opportunity to research a topic and to view this through the lens of theory. It's ideal for those who enjoy sustaining their own progress.

DProf route

DProfs are offered via part-time study and is designed for anyone involved in a professional discipline who wants a slightly more structured approach to doctoral-level study. The DProf programme is structured around modules and suits those who are interested in exploring 'professionalism' in their own context or place of work.

PhD and Dprof benefits

Both these routes will give you the opportunity to gain an in-depth grounding in educational research methods. You'll also be supported by a supervisory/advisory team as well as having the additional holistic support provided by the CERS.

All research students are integrated into the research culture of the department and are encouraged to participate in various different ways both throughout their study and afterwards. Some events are informal gatherings around a cup of coffee, such as the weekly Research Club to facilitate individual support and collaboration. Others are more formal, such as the public lectures organised by CERS or the university-wide summer conference for staff and students.

These routes allow you to actively design and manage a research study, complete a written presentation and conclude in an oral examination, viva voce.

If you have any questions or queries about our doctoral programmes, please email Dr Leena Robertson (tel: 020 8411 4768) or Dr Victoria de Rijke (tel: 020 8411 6369).

Doctoral Research Training

We take the training of our doctoral students extremely seriously because we believe that the best research is ethically, methodologically and theoretically robust. We are committed to making sure that our students have the opportunity to develop into the best researchers of tomorrow.

To this end, we provide a vigorous programme of workshops covering a range of methodological, theoretical, technical and practical issues related to all stages of the research process. In addition, we also work with colleagues across Middlesex University to ensure that our students benefit from any other specialist resource which may be on offer. Our workshops are delivered by experts and open to all Middlesex students.

For more information, including workshop times and dates, visit the CERS website.

To support researcher development across Education, we host regular seminars and workshops to share and discuss research in process. We get ‘under the skin’ of research approaches and methodologies through a podcast series available on the CERS website. We also offer a research coaching scheme to staff in the Education department, so that they can work with an experienced researcher to make a break-through in a particular area of development (e.g. publications, funding applications or engagement activities). 

More information is available on the CERS website.

We manage our own ethics committee so that students and staff carrying out educational research can obtain ethical approval from reviewers who have specialist expertise. To apply for ethical approval through this committee, students and staff use the MORE form on the CERS website.