Associate Head of School (Research and Knowledge Exchange), School of Initial Teacher Education

About the Role

You will join the Faculty of Education as Associate Head of School (Research and Knowledge Exchange) within the School of Initial Teacher Education, providing senior leadership for research and knowledge exchange across the School. This role offers a significant opportunity to shape research quality, impact and external engagement within a nationally recognised Initial Teacher Education context.

As an active researcher, you will champion excellence in research and knowledge exchange, foster an inclusive and high-performing research culture, and lead the School’s research and knowledge exchange strategy. Working closely with Faculty and University colleagues, you will grow external income, develop strong partnerships, support REF and KEF activity, and lead future-focused, ethically grounded digital and AI-enabled approaches to research and knowledge exchange.

Through this work, you will influence research, policy and practice in Initial Teacher Education at local, national and international levels.

For informal enquiries, please contact: Michelle Pearson, Head of School (Initial Teacher Education), at Michelle.Pearson@edgehill.ac.uk and Professor Andy Smith, Deputy Dean, (Faculty of Education) at Smithand@edgehill.ac.uk

About You

You will be joining a Faculty with a strong sense of purpose and an outstanding national reputation for Initial Teacher Education. You will work within a diverse, collaborative and outward-facing academic community committed to using education, research and knowledge exchange to enhance life chances and address real-world challenges.

You will be supported to develop as a research leader within an ambitious and inclusive environment where excellence, innovation and partnership working are genuinely valued. You will have opportunities to collaborate across disciplines, engage with influential partners, and see your work make a meaningful and lasting difference to learners, teachers and communities.

As part of Edge Hill University, you will benefit from a supportive institution with a strong commitment to equality, professional development and wellbeing, alongside the opportunity to shape research, practice and policy within Initial Teacher Education at local, national and international levels.

At Edge Hill University, we value the benefits that a rich and diverse workforce brings to our community and therefore welcome applications from all sections of society.