Dr Anne O'Grady

Faculty: Education, Health and Sciences

School: School of Education

Subject Area: Education Studies

Senior Lecturer in Education Studies

Teaching responsibilities

As a Senior Lecturer in Education Studies I have responsibility for leading the following modules: Actors in Lifelong Learning (stage two), Research Methods for Independent Studies (stage two) and Contemporary Issues (stage three). I also supervise a range Independent Studies. I currently hold responsibility for Admissions within the team.

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 also 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 then 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 Lifelong Learning, Research Methods and Contemporary Issues.

Research interests

Using the conceptual anthology provided by Pierre Bourdieu, my research considers the notion of choice for adults in lifelong learning, 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.

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., 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

Edit this person's details

Site Map

Undergraduate courses
Postgraduate and professional courses
Online courses
International students
Services for business

Part time courses
Buxton College
School leavers 16+
About the University
Student life

Job vacancies
Research
Faculties
Departments
Press and Community

Designed and built by Silktide Studios