Our research clusters, focused on innovative and vibrant research activity, reflect the diversity, breadth, and excellence of our research expertise. As dynamic centres for collective research activity, the clusters provide a foundation for generating new ideas and innovative research practices, outputs, and societal engagement. They support our commitment to inclusive and boundary-pushing research, from applied to ‘blue skies’ research, and they embrace our different perspectives, theoretical orientations, and methodological approaches.

Clusters are permeable, with staff often being affiliated to more than one; they also provide our postgraduate research students with a point of connection to researchers in the School. Cluster membership also extends beyond the School of Education, reaching out across the university, and internationally, across our extensive global networks. As a result, our clusters strengthen our capacity to collaborate widely and in an interdisciplinary way.

Our cluster structure influences our recruitment strategy, guides our selection of postgraduate research students and supports the design, organisation and delivery of teaching, ensuring our research and teaching activity is strongly aligned.