Theoretical Perspectives on Learning and Teaching: Lessons from Doctoral Studies

Theoretical Perspectives on Learning and Teaching showcases the ways in which theories, from education and beyond, have been used by researchers who have recently completed their doctoral studies in education. The studies are contextualised across different UK education sectors from primary education to higher education.

Engaging with theory is one of the key criteria for assessing doctoral studies across disciplines. Research shows that recent doctoral graduates often struggle to transition from being researchers to publishing in academic books and journals. This collection, featuring chapters from thirteen recent education doctoral researchers, provides an opportunity for recent graduates to showcase how they engaged with theory in their doctoral studies. Each chapter highlights how different theories were applied or developed in their research across various educational sectors and explores how theory informed or was generated by their studies, utilizing diverse methods such as narrative inquiry, mixed methods research, creative methods, evaluation techniques, and ethnographic methods.

Readers who are doctoral researchers themselves and their supervisors will find the chapters stimulate thinking and discussion about the diverse range of theories that can be drawn upon to inform research at different stages of the study, from design to analysis. The focus on ‘lessons from doctoral studies’ will benefit readers who are postgraduate researchers and their supervisors, as well as the wider education research community.

Jane Andrews is a Professor of Education at University of the West of England, UK, and is joint programme leader of the Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) programme.

Richard Waller is Professor of Education and Social Justice at University of the West of England, UK, and is joint programme leader of the Professional Doctorate in Education (EdD) programme.

Laura Manison is a Senior Lecturer in Education in the School of Education & Childhood at the University of the West of England, UK.