Higher education research
Explore our research into higher education
Participation in higher education is increasing, but substantial inequalities in access and attainment still exist, and women are still under-represented in STEM subjects.
Mental health and wellbeing issues are also on the rise among student populations, and there's an urgent need to tackle intersectional inequalities for students and staff in higher education. This is of importance for student participation and attainment and for staff progression and promotion opportunities, in particular for those from Black, Asian and minority ethnic backgrounds.
Our higher education research explores the factors underpinning these issues, and seeks to find new evidence-based strategies, policies and methods to counteract them. We have worked on projects exploring how to improve student wellbeing, mental health literacy and social support among postgraduate research students, and how to close the attainment gap for Black and Minority Ethnic (BME) students and students from low socio-economic backgrounds.
Our research into higher education is used to inform policy and practice nationally and internationally. This is reflected in the development of the Education, Social Justice and Transformation Research Group which brings together interdisciplinary scholars to interrogate education policy and practice and develop more socially just responses to wider issues.
Our work is frequently published in leading academic journals, including Studies in Higher Education, Higher Education Policy, Teaching in Higher Education, and The Journal of Further and Higher Education.
Our research focuses on the following key topics
- Student experience
- Mental health and wellbeing
- Learning, teaching and assessment
- Student attainment
- Leadership and management
- Doctoral education
Research projects
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Silencing Students: Institutional Responses to Staff Sexual Misconduct in UK Higher Education
This report explores institutional responses to sexual misconduct carried out by academic staff in higher education.
Publication highlights
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Considering mental health and wellbeing in postgraduate research: a critical reflection
Creaton, J., Handforth, R. (2021) "Considering mental health and wellbeing in postgraduate research: a critical reflection", Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
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The impact of professional doctorates in the workplace: evidence from the criminal justice sector
Creaton, J. (2021) "The impact of professional doctorates in the workplace: evidence from the criminal justice sector", Research in Post-Compulsory Education
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‘I have some trauma responses, but it’s not my identity’: furthering social justice for care experienced and estranged university students
Marvell, R. A., Child, S. (2022) "‘I have some trauma responses, but it’s not my identity’: furthering social justice for care experienced and estranged university students", International Studies in Sociology of Education
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Gender back on the agenda in higher education: perspectives of academic staff in a contemporary UK case study
Morris, C. A., Hinton-Smith, T., Marvell, R., Brayson, K. (2021) "Gender back on the agenda in higher education: perspectives of academic staff in a contemporary UK case study", Journal of Gender Studies
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'Peering through the window looking in’: postgraduate experiences of non-belonging and belonging in relation to mental health and wellbeing
Morris, C. A. (2021) "'Peering through the window looking in’: postgraduate experiences of non-belonging and belonging in relation to mental health and wellbeing", Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education
Research groups
Education, Social Justice and Transformation Research Group
This group seeks to open up opportunities to share and explore critical, radical, alternative and liberatory approaches to the research and practice of education across multiple global contexts.
Discover our areas of expertise
Higher education is one of our five areas of expertise in Education research – explore the others below.
Early years education
In this area of expertise, we're exploring the experiences and opportunities that play a role in the development of young children.
Further education
We're exploring all aspects of further education, from adult education to transitions from military service, leadership and management to further education student experience.
Gender, race and education
Our work is identifying, exploring and engaging with forms of discrimination across gender and race in the education system.
Youth, development and social practices
Our work provides a platform that showcases research, innovation and wider activities being developed in collaboration with young people, community members and practitioner and academic colleagues.
Interested in a PhD in Education?
Browse our postgraduate research degrees – including PhDs and MPhils – on our Education postgraduate research degrees page.