What Drives Social Pedagogy?

About the Project

A PhD student can focus upon one of the following topics:

• Social pedagogy as a solution to the current education crisis.
• An exploration of the value that pedagogical approaches can offer HE.
• An exploration of the role that social pedagogy can play in building communities.

The Social Pedagogy ideology is both complex and diverse; as its basis sits within social work it is found within a range of specialist provision outside of the mainstream education sector. Although the role of Social Pedagogue is well established in other countries, it has only been recognised in the UK relatively recently. Therefore, there is a need to further explore its potentiality within a variety of settings, including schools, FE and HE as the main regulated provisions.

The relationship and nurture basis of such an approach has particular resonance with an education sector that has struggled to recover from the impact of COVID-19. The socially engaged approaches embedded within a social pedagogical approach take on particular significance in light of pressures of funding, accountability and rationalisation currently being played out at a policy and strategic level within the education sector.

Applicants are advised to indicate which of the three themes above is of interest to them and to orient their applications to this preference as appropriate.

• Supervisory team: Dr Carla Solvason, Professor Geoffrey Elliott, Dr Alison Prowle
• Research Group: Social Pedagogy Research Group

Application Process

To begin the application process please go to https://www.worc.ac.uk/research/research-degrees/applying-for-a-phd/.