PhD Postgraduate research in Education

Many of our research supervisors have internationally recognised expertise in a range of research methodologies and frequently work across subject areas so, for example, research supervision can take place around the intersections of Education and Health and Sport and Psychology. 

PhD studies are typically conducted by completing a research thesis full-time or part-time. PhDs are theoretical research projects seeking to advance knowledge or understanding of a subject to inform further research, education and policy. They can cover a wide range of subjects – learn more by watching our research videos.

PhD Lead - Education

Diana Bannister MBE is the Director of the Institute of Education and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education, Health and Well-being

Diana joined the University of Wolverhampton in 2001 to lead development and research in using and applying learning technologies across the education sector.  Over the years she has worked across education partnerships and prior to becoming Director, Diana was Assistant Director and Head of Postgraduate Taught Provision in the Institute.

Diana works with many different sectors providing bespoke support to teachers or schools and more strategic professional development with Ministries of Education, regional advisers, external agencies and commercial providers to address effective implementation of technology and mainstreaming change in schools.

She regularly speaks at conferences and has undertaken international work across much of Europe, Australia, Canada, India and New Zealand. Diana has recently led a principal role in the Living Schools Lab and Creative Classrooms Lab projects. Diana has observed and analysed the practice in over 30 countries.

Whilst understanding the drive to embrace new and existing technologies, Diana remains determined to ensure effective practice in the C21st learning environments, knowing that though the technology continues to change; her ultimate goal is to maximise the quality of learning and teaching.

Research interests

• Effective use of learning technologies
• School development
• Innovation and creativity in the curriculum
• Learning spaces
• Mobile learning
• Director of postgraduate research

Head of Doctoral Studies and Research Fellowship

Dr Hilary Paniagua worked previously as an advanced practitioner (ANP) in women’s health before she pursued a career in academia and ultimately became a researcher and author. Her career interest focuses on issues concerning the narrative understanding of general practice and how it happens. As the editor of The Journal of Health and Social Care and member of two nursing journal editorial boards she has written extensively on issues relating to advanced practice nursing, primary care, law and research. Her book Practice Made Perfect: Higher Aspirations for Practice Nurses, Quay Books, embraces challenges specific to UK advanced nursing practice in six brief chapters. Previous teaching experience includes leading on Masters ANP programmes in primary care, and being instrumental in setting up the first Physicians Assistant programme in Britain. Hilary is currently chair of the research ethics committee within the Faculty of Health in Wolverhampton University and she is chair of the Black Country NHS Research Ethics Committee.She received her doctorate at Swansea University in (2009).

Research interests

• Research in primary care
• Research in women’s health
• Research in general practice

Award Leader for Education

Dr Julie Wilde works across initial teacher education (FE), MA in Education and postgraduate research (doctorates). Her research interests are contextualised by Further, Adult and Higher Education and include the significance of teacher subjectivities, initial teacher education, professional learning in education, policy and practice. Research interests also include story-sharing and narrative approaches.