Research in Education

Research in education is led by Prof. Kate Adams and Prof. Carmen Clayton. Our researchers undertake values-driven work for social justice through education.

We have two overarching themes: Curriculum and pedagogy from early years through to Higher Education, and Teacher Education. Researchers in both areas challenge and develop existing knowledge and practice, underpinned by aims to enhance lives through new thinking and action.

Explore our projects

Case Study

Advancing climate education for a better world

Professor Leigh Hoath, Deputy Dean of the School of Education, is the Co-Chair of the Association for Science Education (ASE), and co-founder of Climate Adapted Pathways for Education (CAPE). CAPE leads a visionary initiative, showcasing evidence-informed practices in implementation, professional development, and curriculum to advance climate change education. Such support is essential to help school leaders navigate uncharted territories, striving to ignite hope for children, young people, and their school communities.

The initiative is highly collaborative. It recently brought together educators across nursery, primary, secondary age phases and higher education with businesses, the Environment Agency and the charity sector to respond to the Department for Education’s (DfE) Sustainability and Climate Change Strategy launched in April 2022. Working with a range of schools, CAPE has collated compelling case studies that exemplify promising approaches to climate education, and have propelled over 90 schools into taking action underpinned by evidence in response to the climate crisis.

Case study

Improving young fathers' experiences in Higher Education

Carmen Clayton is Professor of Family and Cultural Dynamics and has been leading research teams exploring the experiences of young fathers in Higher Education, with a variety of partners including academics, Leeds City Council and charities. She draws on three complementary projects: New Pathways for Young Fathers (2020), British Families in Lockdown (2020) and Connected Young Fatherhood (2022). The findings have informed local and national policy to acknowledge the role of young fathers and their support needs relating to education, employability, and inequalities. The research has led to more inclusive and sympathetic front-line service and has informed the design and implementation of ‘Dads at their Best’- a new support programme aimed at vulnerable first time fathers aged 18-25. Negative stereotypes regarding young fathers as ‘feckless’ have been challenged by the research through active contribution to policy and public debates, which has led to a better understanding of young fatherhood.