Professor Mike Coldwell

Faculty Director of Research

My profile

Biography

I am an experienced academic leader, currently Director of Research in the Faculty of Health and Education. I was previously Associate Dean for Research and Innovation (R&I) in the College of Social Sciences and Arts at Sheffield Hallam University (SHU), following a long period leading different education research and knowledge exchange (RKE) centres at that university. As a researcher, my focus is on systems approaches to evaluation, policy research, research use and teacher professional learning and careers. I am currently working on a large DfE Family Hubs evaluation, and have previously led over £4m of evaluation and research studies for a range of clients and funders, advising organisations on evaluation strategy, reviewing papers, reports and grant applications and presenting keynote speeches at significant conferences and other events. This work has informed my teaching and supervision of doctoral and other students, and the work of teachers in schools.

Interests and expertise

I lead Research in the Faculty of Health and Education, providing strategic direction - working research leaders in the faculty - in line with the university strategy. I currently act as coordinator for the Education REF unit of assessment. As a Professor of Education, I research areas including education and children’s/young people’s policy;  research use and evidence-informed practice in education; teacher development and careers; and evaluation methodology. I am able to supervise and teach in these areas. I advise policy makers and government departments in these areas.

Get in touch

Brooks Building
My interest in researching teacher careers has allowed me to supervise doctoral researchers, work with schools and beginning teachers and work with policy makers to support teacher development.

Impact

I have worked with Policy makers on policy and strategy including the SHINE Trust on their evaluation strategy; the Education Endowment Foundation and Youth Endowment Fund on aspects of evaluation;  and the Department for Education on a number of major research studies and priority areas.

Projects

I have led over 40 studies with a combined value of over £4.5m supported by a range of funders including charities, government departments, what works centres and school groups. I work with partners including universities, consultancies, schools and policy bodies. Projects are wide ranging, with a focus on policy research and evaluation, teacher development and careers, children and young people’s work force, research use and programme evaluation.

Teaching

I have taught on professional doctorates in Education and Masters and undergraduate programmes on areas including mixed methods, research use, realist approaches and research and evaluation methodology.

Supervision

Previous supervision is typically in the fields of school leadership, early career teacher development and wider children and young people’s workforce. Specific focuses have included leadership of food education, international comparisons of school leadership, school inspection, values-led leadership, role of the SENDCO, PE in primary schools, youth work and early years policy in Ireland.

Research outputs

I have published and presented in a range of academic, policy and professional fora.

Career history

2021 to 2024

Associate Dean for Research and Innovation in the College of Social Sciences and Arts at Sheffield Hallam University.

2007-2021

Led three different education research and knowledge exchange centres at Sheffield Hallam University.

1998-2007

Researcher and Senior Researcher roles at Manchester University (during Master’s programme) and then Sheffield Hallam University.

1994-1998

teacher of Business Studies and Mathematics at schools in Wolverhampton and Runcorn.

Press and media

I am able to comment on education policy and programmes.