New Appointments Boost Research At Derby
4 November 2011
Rania Hafez, Director of the professional network, Muslim Women in Education
Internationally renowned sociologist writing on communication and cultural issues, Robin Wynyard.
Four high profile figures from the world of education have joined the University of Derby as visiting research fellows, it was confirmed this week.
Director of the network Muslim Women in Education Rania Hafez: Education Director of charity Real Action, Katie Ivens: education writer Robert Whelan: and internationally renowned sociologist Robin Wynyard, are all now part of the University's Centre for Educational Research.
Professor Dennis Hayes, Head of the Centre, said: "These are important appointments that will enhance the reputation of the University and ensure that our education research and innovation continues to have a large impact nationally and internationally.
"I feel proud that these educationalists have chosen to work with us, and will bring their unique knowledge and expertise with them."
Rania Hafez is the Director of the professional network, Muslim Women in Education, and is also a researcher, commentator and consultant on teacher education and the Islamic philosophy of education. Uniquely, she has twice been elected council member and non-executive director of the Institute for Learning (IfL). She is currently the Vice-Chair of the Standing Committee for the Education and Training of Teachers (SCETT) and will become Chair in 2012.
Katie Ivens is the Education Director and co-founder of the charity, Real Action, which has won accolades for its Butterfly Saturday Reading Schools for under-privileged inner-city children. Katie is also Vice-Chairman of the Campaign for Real Education. A former journalist and editor, she now researches and develops new curricula, particularly in primary education.
Robert Whelan is the author of 13 books on education, childhood and social policy. He is well known in education as the editor of the influential collection of essays: The Corruption of the Curriculum. Since 2003 he has been a director of the New Model School group of independent schools.
Robert is general editor of the UK edition of the Core Knowledge Curriculum, published by Civitas and as well as writing and publishing he has been teaching English and History at a Saturday school in the East End of London for the last seven years.
Robin Wynyard has a PhD in Sociology and is a visiting professor at Gonzaga University (USA). He is an internationally renowned sociologist writing on communication and cultural issues. His current research focuses on diet and diabetes and the importance of restoring compassion and humanity to health care. Following the success of their book The McDonaldization of Higher Education he is again working with Professor Dennis Hayes on follow-up book Beyond McDonaldization: Visions of Higher Education.
All four visiting research fellows will all be carrying out research in their specialist fields over the next five years.
