Triangle

We have a long tradition of supporting doctoral research in mathematics education at the University, on both our PhD and EdD programmes. 

Some of the current project themes and topics are listed below.  They include quantitative and qualitative methods, are situated in UK and international contexts, and span from primary to higher education.

PhaseBroad ThemeResearch Project

Primary education

Language

Diverse multiplicative structures in diverse classrooms: How do teachers use languages structures to scaffold sense-making of poly-conceptual multiplicative structures in language-diverse primary mathematics classrooms?

Primary education/Secondary education

Identity

An introduction to the personal tutoring programme and early year portfolio by Professor Pam Hagan, (Professor of Medical Education and Director of Student Wellbeing)

 

 

Students’ mathematical identities and their learning practices in UK Secondary Schools: The case of Sub-Saharan African immigrants in Nottingham

 

 

Mentors and the subject knowledge development needs of student mathematics teachers: developing an understanding of perceptions and influences on mentor practice in schools.

Secondary education

Technology

Understanding the content, pedagogical and technological knowledge of beginning teachers using technology in relation to geometric constructions using dynamic software

 

 

How do brokers use remote learning to support the development of professional learning through lesson study?

 

 

The use of SmartBoards in gendered primary classrooms in Saudia Arabia.

 

Task Design

Supporting student’s mathematical problem solving with scaffolding

 

 

Task design for developing students' understanding in algebra in a Cyprian context

 

Identity

 

Students’ mathematical identities and their learning practices in UK secondary schools: The case of Sub-Sahara African immigrants in Nottingham 

 

 

 

Mentors and the subject knowledge development needs of student mathematics teachers: developing an understanding of perceptions and influences on mentor practice in schools. 

Higher education

Transitions

 

The ‘hidden’ mathematical backgrounds of undergraduate social science students in England: bridging the quantitative skills gap(s) 

 

 

 

The experiences of undergraduates in the transition from school to university mathematics  

 

Doctoral research supervisors 

We welcome enquiries to undertake doctoral research projects.  Some of the key research supervision areas of Observatory supervisors can be seen below 

Professor Andy Noyes 

  • mathematics curriculum, assessment and pedagogy
  • 14-19 mathematics education and transitions into university
  • learner choices, pathways and transitions
  • initial teacher education and teacher development
  • education policy
 

Professor Geoff Wake

  • Design based research in mathematics education
  • Mathematical modelling teaching and learning
  • Lesson Study and teacher professional learning
  • Mathematics curriculum
  • Mathematics education and post-16 learners including in workplaces
 

Dr Chris Brignell

  • Undergraduate student engagement and incentivisation
  • Participation and transitions into HE mathematics
  • Statistics curriculum, assessment and pedagogy
  • HE education policy
 

Dr Catherine Gripton

  • Early childhood mathematics education
  • Children's perspectives in mathematics education
  • Mathematics education practice and policy in schools
 

Dr Marc North

 

Dr Mike Adkins

  • Educational Randomised Controlled Trials
  • System-level Mathematics and Science Education trends and policy (particularly secondary, post-16 and transitions into university)
  • Applied Bayesian Statistics
  • Multilevel/Hierarchical Modelling
 

Dr Katie Severn

  • Equality, diversity and inclusion in Higher Education Mathematics
  • Student belonging in Higher Education Mathematics
  • Machine learning
  • Statistical network analysis
  • Statistics for social good
 

Dr Tom Wicks

  • Access to and participation in Higher Education Mathematics
  • Curriculum design in higher education