Dr Anne O'Grady

Faculty: Education, Health and Sciences

School: School of Education

Subject Area: Education Studies

Senior Lecturer in Education Studies

Programme Leader Full Time MA Education

Teaching responsibilities

As a Senior Lecturer in Education Studies I have responsibility for leading the following module: Research Methods for Independent Studies (stage two).

As Programme Leader for the Full Time MA Education, I lead modules on Research Methods, Studying at Masters Level and Advanced Professional Practice.

I also supervise a range of Independent Study Dissertaion and Thesis at Undergraduate, Masters and Doctoral levels

Professional interests

I graduated in Education and Social Science from the Open University. This provided me with the opportunity to work across the post-16 lifelong learning sector, including the private, voluntary and public sectors, teaching, leading and managing an array of provision. I subsequently joined the Adult Continuing Education Department at the University of Nottingham where I studied for my Masters in Research Methods, and PhD in Choice in Lifelong Learning. Whilst there I initially lectured part-time on the Postgraduate Diploma in Post-Compulsory Education and Training, and subsequently became the Director of this programme in a full time position. I broadened my lecturing to include Masters and Doctoral programmes, particularly Research Methods and Models and Approaches to adult learning, teaching both nationally and internationally in Hong Kong. I further developed my knowledge by securing a position with the National Institute of Adult Continuing Education (NIACE) as a Programme Director, leading, managing and undertaking a range of research, evaluation and development projects. Now, as a Senior Lecturer at the University of Derby, I am able to share and develop my knowledge leading modules on Research Methods both at undergraduate and postgraduate level, and theoretical thinkers in education.  I am current a joint supervisor for a PhD doctorial candidate exploring teachers professional identity.

Research interests

Using the conceptual anthology provided by Pierre Bourdieu, my research has considered the notion of choice for adults involved in lifelong learning programmes, exploring the influence of policy on practice. Particularly, my research has involved adults who may be marginalised from engagement in lifelong learning opportunities, such as the unemployed, prisoners and adults with low level literacy and numeracy.  I have continued to develop my research interests, exploring the use of photographs as a form of data collection with undergraduate students.  I am about to embark on a research project for 2012/13 exploring British Asian women's experiences of undergraduate study at the University of Derby.

International Experience

Lecturing to Masters and Doctoral Students in Hong Kong

Presenting at International Conferences

• Atkin, C, O'Grady, A. and Rose, A (2007) Do you think they'll notice?
  An evaluation of the materials for embedded learning, PASCAL Conference Hungary

• Atkin, C, O'Grady, A. and Rose, A (2006) Are the materials for embedded learning working? NRDC International Conference, Nottinghamshire

• O'Grady, A and Atkin, C, (2006) Devaluing social networks in
  the race to compete, Thirteen International Conference on Learning, Jamaica

• O'Grady, A. (2006) Choosing to learn or chosen to learn: the experience of Skills for Life learners AERA San Francisco

• O'Grady, A. (2005) Forced to Learn or Choosing to Learn:
  A study exploring the learning experiences of adults engaged in Skills for Life training, BERA Glamorgan

Membership of professional bodies and advisory committees

Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Recent Conferences

• O'Grady, A., (2011) Using Photographs as a Data Collection Tool: The learning Journey of an Undergraduate,  BESA Conference, University of Hull, Hull
• O'Grady, A., and Novitzky, J. (2010) Producing readable materials for the workplace, ACCS Conference Derby
• O'Grady, A., (2010) Where are we now? An exploration of the provision of teacher training programmes for the Learning and Skills Sector following the 2007 Workforce Reforms, Regional Skills for Life Network UCLAN, Lancaster
• O'Grady, A., (2009) Why, and how important, are the piloting activities for the QUALC quality process The experience and the first results of the UK Pilot Sites; QUALC Conference, EFQUAL Innovation Forum, Helsinki
• O'Grady, A., (2008) Stick With It, Messages from the Development Projects, The Skills for Life National Conference, Birmingham
• O'Grady, A., (2008) Ears to the ground: Research Report into reaching the potential of the VCS to develop their learning offer in the West Midlands, VCS Conference Birmingham

Undergraduate qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Education and Social Science , Open University

Postgraduate qualifications

• Masters of Research Methods (MA Res) , University of Nottingham

Research qualifications

• PhD Choosing to Learn or Chosen to Learn: A qualitative case study, University of Nottingham

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