Sheila Edward

After an MA in Italian with French at this University, and a first career in academic librarianship, Sheila Edward moved into educational research nearly twenty years ago. After completing an MSc in Human Resources Management and working at the Scottish Council for Research in Education, she has researched and lectured at the Universities of Northumbria and Newcastle, and most recently spent three years at the Institute of Education, University of London.

Biography

Her research interests are in lifelong learning, inclusion and professional practice. She joined CREID in 2008.

Projects

• The impact of policy on learning and inclusion in the new learning and skills sector. (Institute of Education, with Frank Coffield, Ann Hodgson, Ken Spours; ESRC TLRP, 2004-07)
• Developing records management in further education: meeting the requirements of the Freedom of Information Act 2000. (Northumbria University, with Julie McLeod; JISC funded, 2003-04)
• DfES-funded project Understanding Teachers’ Careers: the impact of age, disability, ethnicity and gender. (SCRE Centre, University of Glasgow, with Janet Powney; DfES funded, 2002-03)
• Understanding Absence. (SCRE, with Heather Malcolm and Val Wilson; DfES funded, 2002-03)
• The appointment, retention and promotion of academic staff within higher education institutions, (SCRE, Glasgow University & Nottingham Trent University, with Janet Powney; HEFCE funded, 2001)

Publications

• Coffield, F., Edward, S., Finlay, I., Hodgson, A., Spours, K. and Steer, R. (2008) Improving learning, skills and inclusion: the impact of policy on post-compulsory education. TLRP Improving Learning series. London: Routledge.
• Coffield, F. and Edward, S. (forthcoming) Rolling out ‘good’, ‘best’ and ‘excellent’ practice. What next? Perfect practice? British Educational Research Journal.
• Wilson, V., Malcolm, H., Edward, S. and Davidson, J. (2008) ‘Bunking off’: the impact of truancy on pupils and teachers. British Educational Research Journal, 34(1): 1-17.
• Coffield, F., Edward, S., Finlay, I., Hodgson, A., Spours, K., Steer, R. and Gregson, M. (2007) How policy impacts on practice and how practice does not impact on policy. British Educational Research Journal, 33(5): 723-751.
• Hodgson, A., Steer, R., Spours, K., Edward, S., Coffield, F., Finlay, I. and Gregson, M. (2007) Learners in the English learning and skills sector: the implications of half-right policy assumptions. Oxford Review of Education, 33(3): 315-330.
• Edward, S. and Coffield, F. (2007) Policy and practice in the learning and skills sector: setting the scene. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 59(2): 121-135.
• Edward, S, Coffield, F., Steer, R. and Gregson, M. (2007) Endless change in the learning and skills sector: the impact on teaching staff. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 59(2): 155-173.
• Hodgson, A., Edward, S. and Gregson, M. (2007) Riding the waves of policy? The case of basic skills in adult and community learning in England. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 59(2): 213-229.
• Steer, R., Spours, K., Hodgson, A., Finlay, I., Coffield, F., Edward, S. and Gregson, M. (2007) ‘Modernisation’ and the role of policy levers in the learning and skills sector. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 59(2): 175-192.
• Coffield, F., Steer, R., Hodgson, A., Spours, K., Edward S. and Finlay, I. (2005) A new learning and skills landscape? The central role of the Learning and Skills Council. Journal of Education Policy, 20(5): 631-656.
• Edward, S. and McLeod, J. (2004) Is the Freedom of Information Act driving records management in further education colleges? Journal of Records Management, vol 14 (1): 40-50.
• Powney, J., Wilson, V., Hall, S., Davidson, J., Kirk, S. and Edward, S. (2003) Teachers’ Careers: the impact of age, disability, ethnicity, gender and sexual orientation. (Research report 488) London: DfES.
• Edward, S., Clark, J. and Taylor, H. (2002) Millennium Gateshead Education Action Zone: evaluation report. Northumbria University School of Health, Community and Education Studies.
• Easen, P., Given, C., Rawlinson, S. and Edward, S (2002) Developing routes into teaching for teaching assistants: a project commissioned by the DfES. Newcastle: Northumbria University.
• Powney, J., Hamilton, S., Wilson, V., Kirk, S., Edward, S., Proctor, J., Cloonan, M., Bryson, C., Caven, V. and Scurry, T. (2002) The appointment, retention and promotion of academic staff within higher education institutions. HEFCE.
• Edward, S. and Malcolm, H. (2002) The causes and effects of truancy. Research in Education, 71. Edinburgh: SCRE.
• Procter, S., Campbell, S., Biott, C., Edward, S., Redpath, N. and Moran, M. (1999) Preparation for the developing role of the community children's nurse. (Researching professional education series; 11) London: English National Board for Nursing, Midwifery and Health Visiting.
• Edward, S. (1997) 'Working in the wider team'. Chapter in Pearson P & Spencer J eds (1997) Promoting teamwork in primary care: a research based approach. London: Arnold. p. 39-55.
• McPake, J., Powney, J., Somekh, B., Biott, C., Edward, S. and Spindler, J. (1997) Career entry profiles 1996: evaluation of the Teacher Training Agency Pilot. London: Teacher Training Agency.

Commissioned reports

• Edward, S., Riddell, S. and Bee, W. (2008) Reporting on Progress Towards Equality of Opportunity between Disabled Persons and Other Persons Made by Public Authorities in Scotland: The Scottish Ministers’ Duties: Education and Lifelong Learning Edinburgh: The Scottish Government.
• Edward, S., Riddell, S. and Weedon, E. (2008) Attitudes to Vocational Learning: a literature review Edinburgh: Scottish Government.
• Riddell, S. Edward, S., Raffe, D, Tett, L. and Weedon, E. (2008) Skills Development Scotland: an overview of the policy and delivery evidence base. Edinburgh: Scottish Government.