Kate is a Reader in Public Policy with a focus on education and social policy, identity and inequalities. Her research expertise lies in three areas; social and education policy; equalities; and social justice. She is particularly interested in the intersection of these areas in early years settings, further and higher education.

Kate has served as co-chair for the Gender and Education Association and is chair of the Education and Research committee of the Froebel Trust. She has led research teams in a number of projects examining inequalities in the early years, with a focus on the role of policy in exacerbating these issues. Her work examines the role of family and education in social mobility amongst secondary and higher education students. She has published widely in these areas.

Kate is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and Senior Editor for Cogent Early Years. She is an expert for the Open Innovation Team OIT in youth services and early years and regularly submits evidence to government early years and education reviews.

She holds an MA in Education Policy and Society, and a PhD in Public, Social and Education Policy, both from King's College London. She has previously taught education and public policy at Brunel University of London, Roehampton University and Birkbeck.