My research is in the sociology of education, urban education and policy. I have a long-standing interest in the lives of teachers and have explored issues of class, race, gender and age in teachers' social and professional worlds. I have conducted ESRC-funded research into the experiences of minority ethnic trainee teachers, post-compulsory transitions and multi-agency policy in challenging school exclusion in urban primary schools.

I am currently working on an ESRC funded project with Stephen Ball and Annette Braun called 'Policy enactments in the secondary school: theory and practice'. I am also conducting unfunded research into, iIssues of age and ageism with women teachers and retirement and identity in school teachers.