Literacy and social justice

The Literacy and Social Justice research area at The Open University is located in the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport. It focuses on a range of themes such as digital literacies, pedagogy and educational practice, broadening literacy, children’s experiences and agency. Our research draws upon a range of qualitative and quantitative methods and diverse theoretical orientations.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent) and an MA or research methods training at MA level (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English.

Potential research projects

• Reading for pleasure
• The educational use technologies in education
• Understanding local and international literacy programmes and resources
• Children’s conceptions of play and learning
• Learner agency in urban primary schools in disadvantaged areas
• Literacy experiences, young children’s intentions, identities and affective relations with text

Current/recent research projects

• Home and school literacy practices of children
• The role of mentoring developing adolescents
• Teaching assistant-teacher interaction in primary school
• The role of fun in learning across multiple cultures
• Exploring the use of picture books and primary school children’s spirituality
• Self-belief and student behaviours on the achievement of target grades in sixth-form
• Early career teachers' experiences of classroom observation
• Transition from primary to secondary school
• Marginalisation and girls' valued capabilities through the lens of education
• Adolescent’s perceptions of dyslexia, school and learning
• Educational experiences of refugee children

Potential supervisors

• Dr Victoria Cooper
• Dr Amber Fensham-Smith
• Dr Pam Foley
• Dr Naomi Holford
• Dr Paul Ibbotson
• Professor David Messer
• Professor John Oates
• Professor Kieron Sheehy
• Dr Mimi Tatlow-Golden

Fees and funding

PhD fees

Professional doctorate fees

Some of our research students are funded via The Grand Union Doctoral Training Partnership; others are self-funded.

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

• School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport
• Childhoods, Youth and Sport Group
• Children's Research Centre
• Centre for Children’s Wellbeing: Body, Mind and Media
• Centre for Literacy and Social Justice