Professor Robin Simmonsr.a.simmons@hud.ac.uk | 01484 478224
I am a Professor of Education at the University of Huddersfield where I have worked since 2004.
After gaining a BA in history and sociology and a PGCE in post-compulsory education I taught for over ten years in further education. During this time I became involved in teacher education and developed an interest in educational research. Since joining the University of Huddersfield I have taught on a range of education and youth work programmes in the School of Education and Professional Development, and been actively involved in research. My research focuses mainly on education policy and the history of education, the political economy of education, and education and social justice in particular.
I have been involved in a number significant research projects and received grants from a range of organisations including ESCalate, the Higher Education Academy’s subject centre for teacher education, and the Consortium for Post-Compulsory Education and Training. In 2010, I was involved in a comparative research project with colleagues from the University of Stirling focused on the experiences of trainee teachers in lifelong learning sector in England and Scotland. I am currently Principal Investigator on a three year ethnographic study funded by The Leverhulme Trust exploring the lives of young people not in education, employment or training (NEET).
I have had numerous research papers published in international peer reviewed journals, and written extensively on post-compulsory education and training in a range of other forums. I also regularly referee papers for peer reviewed journals and I am a member of the Editorial Advisory Board of the Journal of Further and Higher Education. Currently, I am editing a Special Issue of the journal, Research in Post-Compulsory Education, entitled ‘Reclaiming the disengaged? Critical perspectives on young people not in education, employment or training. In 2009, I co-edited the book, Issues in Post Compulsory Education: Critical Perspectives. A research monograph, NEET Young People and Training for Work: Learning on the Margins, co-authored with my Huddersfield colleague, Ron Thompson, was published by Trentham Books in 2011. I am currently working on a book with Lisa Russell and Ron Thompson entitled ‘Social Change, Work and Education: young people and marginalisation in post-industrial Britain ’ which will be published by Palgrave MacMillan in 2014
My research focuses on education and social justice and I am particularly interested in the educational and labour market experiences of marginalised young people. Currently, I am Principal Investigator for a three-year ethnographic project, funded by The Leverhulme Trust, researching the experiences of NEET young people. Previously, I was Co-Investigator for a project, supported by the Consortium for Post-Compulsory Education and Training, researching the experiences of marginalised and disadvantaged young people and practitioners working on work-based learning programmes.
I am also interested in various other aspects of post-compulsory education, especially teacher education for the lifelong learning sector. I have been involved in a number research projects in this area, including research funded by the Higher Education Academy, LSIS, and the Consortium for Post-Compulsory Education and Training. During 2010-11 I was Principal Investigator for a comparative research project, conducted with colleagues at the University of Stirling, examining teacher education for the lifelong learning sector in England and Scotland.
Thompson, R., Russell, L. and Simmons, R. (2013) ‘Space, place and social exclusion: an ethnographic study of young people outside education and employment’ Journal of Youth Studies . ISSN 13676261
Simmons, R., Russell, L. and Thompson, R. (2013) ‘NEET young people and the Labour Market: voices from the margins’. In: Discourse Power and Resistance Conference 2013 - Discourses of Inclusion and Exclusion, 9th - 11th April 2013, London, UK
Russell, L., Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2013) ‘Young people’s experiences of working in the private sector: a case study approach’. In: Discourse Power and Resistance Conference 2013 - Discourses of Inclusion and Exclusion, 9th - 11th April 2013, London, UK
Simmons, R., Russell, L. and Thompson, R. (2013) ‘NEET young people and the labour market: working on the margins’. In: Youth Studies Conference, 8-12th April 2013, Glasgow, UK
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘A Comparative Study of Awarding Organisation and HEI Initial Teacher Training Programmes for the Lifelong Learning Sector in England’ Professional Development in Education , 39 (3), pp. 352-368. ISSN 1941-5257
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2013) ‘Reclaiming the Disengaged: Critical Perspectives on Young People Not in Education, Employment or Training ’ Research in Post-Compulsory Education , 18 (1-2), pp. 1-11. ISSN 1359-6748
Simmons, R (2013) ‘Book Review: Critical Pedagogy for Social Justice. Smyth, John (2011) London: Continuum’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (2), pp. 38-39. ISSN 2040-0993
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘Teacher Training Qualifications For The Lifelong Learning Sector – A Comparison Of Higher Education Institution And Awarding Body Qualifications’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (2), pp. 24-31. ISSN 2040-0993
Thompson, R., Russell, L. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘Spatial dialectics and social exclusion: young people not in education, employment or training’. In: European conference on educational research, 18 - 21 September 2012, University of Cadiz, Spain
Simmons, R., Russell, L. and Thompson, R. (2012) ‘Social exclusion, space and place: young people not in education, employment or training’. In: British Educational Research Association Conference, 4-6 September 2012, University of Manchester
Simmons, R (2012) ‘A review of Lee, A. and Danby, S. (2012) Reshaping Doctoral Education: international approaches and pedagogies’ British Journal of educational studies , 60 (3), pp. 281-282. ISSN 0007-1005
Thompson, R., Russell, L. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘Space, place and exclusion: young people outside education and employment’. In: Space Place and Social Justice in Education, 13 July 2012, Manchester Metropolitan University
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2012) ‘Well-being and Social Justice? Engaging Young Adults on the Margins of Education and Employment’. In: 42nd Annual SCUTREA Conference 2012, 3rd - 5th July 2012, Leicester, UK
Simmons, R (2012) ‘Raising the participation age to 18: 100 years on’ Post-16 Educator (68).
Avis, J., Canning, R., Fisher, R., Morgan-Klein, B. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘State intervention and teacher education for vocational educators in England and Scotland’ Educational Research , 54 (2), pp. 187-197. ISSN 0013-1881
Fisher, R. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘Liberal Conservatism, Vocationalism and Further Education in England ’ Globalisation, Societies and Education , 10 (1), pp. 31-51. ISSN 1476-7724
Thompson, R., Russell, L. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘Exploring the lives of NEET young people: using structuration theory to conceptualise the experience of ‘disengagement’ ’. In: Youth in Crisis and Community Interventions: Past, Present and Future Priorities, 21-22 February 2012, University of the West of Scotland
Thompson, R., Russell, L. and Simmons, R. (2012) ‘Exploring the lives of NEET young people – using structuration theory to conceptualise the experience of ‘disengagement'’. In: Youth in Crisis and Community Interventions: Past, Present and Future Interventions, 21-22 February 2012, Ayr, Scotland
Avis, J., Morgan-Klein, B., Canning, R., Simmons, R. and Fisher, R. (2012) ‘Teacher education for vocational education and training: a comparative study of the Scottish and English systems set within a European context’ Scottish Educational Review , 44 (2), pp. 14-23. ISSN 0141-9072
Avis, J., Fisher, R., Simmons, R., Canning, R. and Morgan-Klein, B. (2011) ‘Developing Teacher Educators for the Lifelong Learning Sector: crossing borders ’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 3 (2), pp. 60-62. ISSN 2040-0993
Russell, L., Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2011) ‘Conceptualising the lives of NEET young people: structuration theory and ‘disengagement’’ Education, Knowledge and Economy , 5 (3), pp. 89-106. ISSN 1749-6896
Russell, L., Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2011) ‘Ordinary lives: an ethnographic study of young people attending Entry to Employment programmes’ Journal of Education and Work , 24 (5), pp. 477-499. ISSN 1363-9080
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2011) ‘Education and training for young people at risk of becoming NEET: findings from an ethnographic study of work-based learning programmes’ Educational Studies , 37 (4), pp. 447-450. ISSN 0305-5698
Simmons, R (2011) ‘Oakum picking in the twenty-first century’ Post-16 Educator , 65, pp. 3-5.
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2011) NEET Young People and Training for Work: learning on the margins . Stoke-on-Trent: Trentham Books . ISBN 9781858564838
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2011) ‘A Restricted ‘Apprenticeship’: The Work-Based Learning of Trainee Teachers in English Colleges of Further Education’. In: American Educational Research Association Conference, April 8-12 2011, New Orleans
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2011) ‘Restrictive Practice: The Work-Based Learning Experience of Trainee Teachers in English Further Education Colleges’ Journal of Workplace Learning , 23 (4), pp. 243-257. ISSN 1366-5626
Avis, J., Canning, R., Fisher, R., Morgan-Klein, B. and Simmons, R. (2011) ‘Vocational education teacher training in Scotland and England: policy and practice’ Journal of vocational education and training , 63 (2), pp. 115-127. ISSN 1363-6820
Simmons, R (2010) ‘Globalisation, neo-liberalism and vocational learning: the case of English further education colleges’ Research in Post-Compulsory Education , 15 (4), pp. 363-376. ISSN 1359-6748
Avis, J., Canning, R., Fisher, R., Morgan-Klein, B. and Simmons, R. (2010) ‘FE teacher training in Scotland and England, continuities and contradictions - a policy analysis’. In: BERA conference, September 2010, The University of Warwick
Avis, J., Canning, R., Simmons, R. and Morgan-Klein, B. (2010) ‘Vocational education teacher training in Scotland and England: policy and practice’. In: European conference on educational research, 25-27 August 2010, Helsinki
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2010) ‘A longitudinal study of NEET young people’ The leverhulme trust newsletter , p. 5.
Russell, L., Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2010) ‘Playing the numbers game: Connexions Personal Advisers working with young people on Entry to Employment programmes’ Journal of vocational education and training , 62 (1), pp. 1-12. ISSN 1363-6820
Simmons, R (2010) ‘The Macfarlane report : 30 years on’ Post 16 Educator , 56, pp. 19-21. ISSN 0459-2026
Fisher, R. and Simmons, R. (2010) ‘What is the lifelong learning sector?’. In: Teaching in lifelong learning : a guide to theory and practice. Milton Keynes: McGraw-hill. pp. 7-17. ISBN 9780335234684
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2010) ‘Career planning and continuing professional development’. In: Teaching in Lifelong Learning. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. pp. 248-258. ISBN 9780335234684
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2010) ‘Dual identities: the in-service teacher trainee experience in the English further education sector’ Journal of vocational education and training , 62 (1), pp. 75-88. ISSN 1363-6820
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2009) ‘Dual roles and dual identities: an ethnographic study from English further education into the experience of in-service teacher-trainees’. In: BERA Annual Conference 2009, 2-5 September 2009, University of Manchester
Simmons, R (2009) ‘The long goodbye: how local authorities lost control of further education’ Research in Post-Compulsory Education , 14 (3), pp. 287-297. ISSN 1359-6748
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2009) ‘Dual identities: the in-service teacher-trainee experience in the English Further Education sector’. In: Journal of Vocational Education and Training Eighth International Conference: Researching Vocational Education and Training, 3rd - 5th July 2009, Worcester College, Oxford, UK
Simmons, R (2009) Further Education, Political Economy and Social Change Doctoral thesis, University of Huddersfield.
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2009) Dual identities: enhancing the in-service teacher trainee experience in the lifelong learning sector A guide for employers Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield (Unpublished)
Orr, K. and Simmons, R. (2009) Dual identities: enhancing the in-service teacher trainee experience in further education Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield (Unpublished)
Simmons, R (2009) ‘'Renewing' England's FE colleges: an update ’ Post 16 Educator (51). ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R (2009) ‘Further education and the lost opportunity of the Macfarlane Report’ Journal of Further and Higher Education , 33 (2), pp. 159-169. ISSN 0309-877X
Simmons, R (2009) ‘Entry to employment: discourses of inclusion and employability in work-based learning for young people’ Journal of education and work , 22 (2), pp. 137-151. ISSN 1363-9080
Avis, J., Fisher, R. and Simmons, R. (2009) Issues in post-compulsory education and training: critical perspectives . Huddersfield, UK: University of Huddersfield . ISBN 9781862180860
Simmons, R (2009) ‘Introduction: Teacher Training, (and Teacher Trainers), in the Learning and Skills Sector ’. In: Issues in post-compulsory education and training: critical perspectives. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield. pp. 291-292. ISBN 9781862180680
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2009) ‘Teacher Educators in Post-Compulsory Education: gender, discourse and power ’. In: Issues in post-compulsory education and training: critical perspectives. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield. pp. 333-352. ISBN 9781862180680
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2009) ‘Aiming Higher: how will universities respond to changes in initial teacher training for post-compulsory sector in England? ’. In: Issues in post-compulsory education and training: critical perspectives. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield. pp. 239-307. ISBN 9781862180680
Simmons, R (2009) ‘An Overview of the Lifelong Learning Sector and its "condition" ’. In: Issues in post-compulsory education and training: critical perspectives. Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield. pp. 6-10. ISBN 9781862180680
Simmons, R (2008) ‘Raising the age of compulsory education in England: a NEET solution?’ British Journal of Educational Studies , 56 (4), pp. 420-439. ISSN 0007-1005
Simmons, R (2008) ‘'Renewing' England's FE colleges: building for the future or victims of fashion?’ Post 16 Educator (48), pp. 18-20. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R (2008) ‘Golden years? Further education colleges under local authority control’ Journal of Further and Higher Education , 32 (4), pp. 359-371. ISSN 0309-877X
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2008) ‘Creativity and performativity: the case of further education’ British Educational Research Journal , 34 (5), pp. 601-618. ISSN 0141-1926
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2008) ‘Re-conceptualizing creativity for further education’. In: British Educational Research Association 2008, 3 - 6 September 2008, Heriot Watt University, Edinburgh
Simmons, R (2008) ‘Fourth time lucky? Raising the age of compulsory participation in education and training to 18 in England’ Journal of The Further Education Alliance , 1 (2), pp. 59-78. ISSN 1755-9979
Simmons, R (2008) ‘Gender, work and identity: a case study from the English further education sector’ Research in Post-Compulsory Education , 13 (3), pp. 267-279. ISSN 1359-6748
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2008) ‘Creativity in further education: resistance or compliance? ’. In: 7th Conference of the Discourse, Power, Resistance Series, 18– 20 March 2008, Manchester Metropolitan University
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2007) ‘Teacher educators in post-compulsory education: gender, discourse and power’ Journal of vocational education and training , 59 (4), pp. 517-533. ISSN 1363-6820
Simmons, R (2007) ‘The Harlow story: coming to a college near you?’ Post 16 Educator (42), pp. 16-17. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2007) ‘Still paying for it: FHE teacher training update’ Post 16 Educator (41), pp. 11-12. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2007) ‘Aiming higher: how will universities respond to changes in initial teacher training for the post-compulsory sector in England?’ Journal of further and higher education , 31 (2), pp. 171-182. ISSN 1469-9486
Simmons, R., Orr, K. and Thompson, R. (2007) ‘Gender, Discourse and Power: Reflections on the post-compulsory Teacher Educator Workforce in England. ’. In: 9th International Conference on Education, 28 - 31 May 2007, Athens, Greece
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2007) ‘Cinderella's shoes: gender, autonomy and control in post-compulsory teacher education ’. In: 6th Conference of the Discourse, Power, Resistance Series, 25– 27 March 2007, Manchester Metropolitan University
Simmons, R (2006) ‘The further education cash cow’ Post 16 Educator , 32, pp. 20-21. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R (2006) ‘The degradation of labour in further education’ Post 16 Educator , 31, pp. 18-19. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R (2006) ‘Being economical with the truth’ Post 16 Educator (38), pp. 16-17. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R (2006) ‘Revisiting Braverman: the labour process in further education ’. In: 5th Conference of the Discourse, Power, Resistance Series, 20 - 22 April 2006, Manchester Metropolitan University
Simmons, R. and Thompson, R. (2006) ‘Paying for it: initial teacher training in the post-compulsory sector’ Post 16 Educator (35), pp. 11-13. ISSN 0459-2026
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. () ‘Teacher Training Qualifications For The Lifelong Learning Sector – A Comparison Of Higher Education Institution And Awarding Body Qualifications’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (2), pp. 24-31. ISSN 2040-0993
I am interested in supervising research degrees focused on education policy, post-compulsory education, and education and social justice
Completed research thesis supervisions:
Kniveton, K. Conceptualising collaboration in context: An exploration of the collaborative experiences of academics in health and social care (EdD, May 2010)
Robinson, D. Higher education in further education: a study of the widening participation agenda in the UK (PhD, January 2011)
Binner, C. Who Me? What did I do? A case study to explore learner perceptions of reasons for persistent disruptive behaviour and the possible outcome of this in Level Two classes in a college of further education (EdD, September 2011)
Osborne, A. The value of information literacy: conceptions of BSc Nursing students at a UK university (EdD, February 2012)
Nassem, E. Where does bullying exist in children’s every day experiences of school? (EdD, September 2012)
Current research thesis supervisions:
Beaumont, J. The higher skills agenda - mediating policy and practice: the approach of senior managers in three higher education institutions (EdD)
Raby, M. The effects of 2012 tuition fee reform on further education students’ choices in higher education: a case study (EdD)
Silvester, S. Perceptions of stress in the further education sector (EdD)
Conferences organised
Consultancy
Deputy Education Unit of Assessment Co-ordinator for Research Excellence Framework 2014
