Dr Paul Campbell

School for Education Futures

Dr Paul Ian Campbell is a Senior Lecturer in Special Needs and Inclusion Studies and Education. He joined the department in October 2012.

Paul’s research interest are on all areas of race, ethnicity and identity construction. His interests also include sport, adult learners and education. Paul is particularly interested in exploring these areas from a historical, sociological and cultural studies viewpoint.

Paul graduated from the University of Derby in 2006 with a first class degree in Sociology. He completed a PhD in history and sociology in 2012, which was a collaborative studentship undertaken at De Montfort University and the University of Leicester. The interdisciplinary thesis explored African-Caribbean access to sport and education, social mobility and community identity through the lens of a local African-Caribbean football club in the east-midlands c1970-2010. The PhD was funded by the East Midland’s Universities Association.

His ERAS project explores the social and educational ‘challenges’ faced by ex-professional footballers during their end of career transitions from elite sport into more mainstream work spaces.

Living after the dream: A sociological exploration into the experiences of re-entry into mainstream work for retired ex-professional footballers