Dr Philip Kirby
Senior Lecturer in History of Education
Research interests
- Education
- Sociology
- Communication
Contact details
Biography
Dr. Kirby joined the School of Education, Communication & Society in 2020. Previously, he was a researcher at the University of Oxford (2016–19), the Sutton Trust (2015–16), and the University of Exeter (2014–15).
His research explores social and historical understandings of specific learning difficulties, especially dyslexia and dyspraxia. His book, Dyslexia: A History (McGill-Queen’s University Press), co-authored with Prof. Margaret J. Snowling, was published in 2022. He also writes about the politics of children’s and young adult culture, and has explored the Hunger Games films, the Percy Jackson books, and the Legend of Zelda videogames, among other examples. You can learn more about Dr. Kirby's research on his PURE profile.
Dr. Kirby would be happy to supervise PhD students in the following areas: history of education, education policy, children’s culture.
Research
Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR)
The Centre for Public Policy Research is an interdisciplinary research centre research developing critical analyses of social change and social in/justice in education and other policy arenas, sectors and contexts to inform national and international policy debate, social activism, and personal, professional and organisational learning.
News
Policymakers need to work with practitioners, dyslexia experts say
Last week King’s College London hosted a panel of dyslexia experts who presented their research advocating for a reformed definition of dyslexia.
History of dyslexia documented for first time
Researchers have shared the first detailed history of how dyslexia became recognised.
Events
Towards a new definition of dyslexia: announcement and discussion
This discussion will present the new definition of dyslexia created out of a new DELPHI study.
Please note: this event has passed.
Dyslexia, A History: presentation and panel discussion
Join us for an in-person launch to celebrate the publication of Dyslexia: A History (McGill-Queen's University Press) by Dr Philip Kirby and Professor...
Please note: this event has passed.
The historical emergence of dyslexia: from word-blindness to neurodiversity
Dr Philip Kirby provides an overview of dyslexia’s social, cultural, and political emergence.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Must-reads in education, communication and social sciences
The School of Education, Communication & Society at King’s College London houses research from a range of different fields – from linguistics to education...
Anchoring the sci-fi Dune into a familiar geography helps audiences to connect with the film
Hans Zimmer has just received the 2022 Oscar for best original score for Dune. Here, Dr Philip Kirby uses his research in film music to explore how the...
Research
Centre for Public Policy Research (CPPR)
The Centre for Public Policy Research is an interdisciplinary research centre research developing critical analyses of social change and social in/justice in education and other policy arenas, sectors and contexts to inform national and international policy debate, social activism, and personal, professional and organisational learning.
News
Policymakers need to work with practitioners, dyslexia experts say
Last week King’s College London hosted a panel of dyslexia experts who presented their research advocating for a reformed definition of dyslexia.
History of dyslexia documented for first time
Researchers have shared the first detailed history of how dyslexia became recognised.
Events
Towards a new definition of dyslexia: announcement and discussion
This discussion will present the new definition of dyslexia created out of a new DELPHI study.
Please note: this event has passed.
Dyslexia, A History: presentation and panel discussion
Join us for an in-person launch to celebrate the publication of Dyslexia: A History (McGill-Queen's University Press) by Dr Philip Kirby and Professor...
Please note: this event has passed.
The historical emergence of dyslexia: from word-blindness to neurodiversity
Dr Philip Kirby provides an overview of dyslexia’s social, cultural, and political emergence.
Please note: this event has passed.
Features
Must-reads in education, communication and social sciences
The School of Education, Communication & Society at King’s College London houses research from a range of different fields – from linguistics to education...
Anchoring the sci-fi Dune into a familiar geography helps audiences to connect with the film
Hans Zimmer has just received the 2022 Oscar for best original score for Dune. Here, Dr Philip Kirby uses his research in film music to explore how the...