We are a friendly, interdisciplinary research centre, committed to collaborative working.
Our research develops 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.
In addition to conducting theoretical and empirical research, we run innovative policy-relevant teaching programmes. We are also interested in promoting and supporting research by, and in partnership with, our students and with policymakers and practitioners from public and third sector organisations and community groups.
Scholarship in CPPR draws on a range of social science and humanities perspectives and methodologies. The Centre has expertise in sociology, anthropology, cultural studies, history and applied philosophy and in participatory, creative and arts-based methodologies.
We are interested in approaches to social and policy analysis that are both critical and problem-solving. Our interest in and interpretation of policy is rooted in a conception of policy as felt, made and remade in everyday life; that is, as co-constitutive of subjectivities and identities. Our research illuminates social and policy processes and effects in a range of global and local contexts, including formal and informal education, health and social care and cultural sector settings.
Our cross-cutting research interests include:
- Children, youth & society
- Decoloniality & epistemic justice
- Emotions & embodiment
- Ethics & public policy
- Gender & sexuality
- Governance, accountability & quality
- Imagined social futures
- Inequality & social class
- Migration & borders
- Race & racism
- Rethinking work
CPPR’s work also reflects the School of Education, Community & Society’s overarching research themes of:
- Curriculum, pedagogy & assessment
- Diversity, inclusion & social justice
- Globalisation & identity
- Professionalism & workplace practice
Publications
Activities
CPPR Lunchtime Seminar Series
Our lunchtime seminar series allows our academics and guest speakers to share their work and research.
Writing Group for Academic Publishing
This group, chaired by Professor Pat Mahony, meets monthly (on the first Wednesday of each month, 12.30-1.30pm) to support ECS staff and PhD students in getting their work published. Each month, one member circulates their draft of an article or book chapter and the rest of the group provide feedback in a constructive and supportive way. We aim to help the author to improve their paper in preparation for submission as well as support broader learning on the process of academic publishing. If you would like to join, please contact Dr Clare Coultas: clare.coultas@kcl.ac.uk.
CPPR Doctoral Student Seminar Group
CPPR runs a voluntary doctoral seminar for our doctoral and PGR students, a monthly two-hour meeting where doctoral students have the opportunity to present their research and get feedback. We see this is a form of supervision and it is also a good way for students to network and get to know each other. Students can use this space to receive feedback on their research, from the initial conceptualisation to a mock viva, but also to briefly discuss a particular methodological or theoretical aspect they are grappling with. We usually have two students present per session for about 20-30 minutes, followed by half an hour comments and discussion. The meetings are hybrid (held face-to-face but also accessible via Teams). To take part, email Maren Elfert at: maren.elfert@kcl.ac.uk.
CPPR Creative Writing Group
This is a monthly, informal workshop/sharing/discussion space open to doctoral students and staff with an interest in creative writing (of all kinds) both in and beyond our work in the university. Group members take it in turns to facilitate sessions on subjects we are interested in and where we also share work or work-in-progress. Previous sessions have included explorations of: poetry and performance poetry, haiku, instinctive/freeflow writing, the practice and ethics of auto-ethnographic storytelling, writing processes and planning, comic books and graphic art. Meetings last around an hour. If you are interested, email Freya Aquarone (freya.aquarone@kcl.ac.uk) or Tania de St Croix (tania.de_st_croix@kcl.ac.uk).
Theory and Methods Workshops
This group provides an opportunity for CPPR doctoral students and staff to come together in an informal and supportive atmosphere to grapple with methodological and theoretical issues of common interest. Each meeting is usually based on a methodological or theoretical topic or the ideas of one thinker. A relevant text is circulated in advance, with the participants taking turns to choose the reading and introduce the topic or thinker and possible themes for discussion. As far as possible we aim to choose texts and themes that have widespread relevance and significance. For further information, please contact: Alan Cribb: alan.cribb@kcl.ac.uk, or Sharon Gewirtz: sharon.gewirtz@kcl.ac.uk
King's Social Journal
This student-led blog run by the BA Social Sciences students is a space to analyse pressing issues faced by society today, especially with regard to: Gender & Sexuality; Race & Ethnicity; Environment & Society; and Education, Childhood & Youth.
News
Black and Asian people with darker skin suffer prejudice from relatives
Black and Asian people with darker skin shades can be the subject of prejudice and insults from members of their families, new King's research shows.
ECS student wins Policy Idol 2023
ECS postgraduate researcher Alice Weavers was voted Policy Idol 2023 for her idea of gov.uk/youth, a platform to involve young people in national policy-making.
Key resource for new teachers now updated with contemporary issues in education
The sixth edition of Becoming a Teacher – Issues in Secondary Education has been published, now including new chapters on recent educational issues.
New project to evaluate effectiveness of multi-agency child safeguarding reforms
New research is underway to assess the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding reforms and whether they reflect the needs of children, young people and...
Youth engage with sustainable water resources in India
A visiting professor from India recently gave a talk at the School of Education, Communication and Society about her research into community participation in...
Publications
Activities
CPPR Lunchtime Seminar Series
Our lunchtime seminar series allows our academics and guest speakers to share their work and research.
Writing Group for Academic Publishing
This group, chaired by Professor Pat Mahony, meets monthly (on the first Wednesday of each month, 12.30-1.30pm) to support ECS staff and PhD students in getting their work published. Each month, one member circulates their draft of an article or book chapter and the rest of the group provide feedback in a constructive and supportive way. We aim to help the author to improve their paper in preparation for submission as well as support broader learning on the process of academic publishing. If you would like to join, please contact Dr Clare Coultas: clare.coultas@kcl.ac.uk.
CPPR Doctoral Student Seminar Group
CPPR runs a voluntary doctoral seminar for our doctoral and PGR students, a monthly two-hour meeting where doctoral students have the opportunity to present their research and get feedback. We see this is a form of supervision and it is also a good way for students to network and get to know each other. Students can use this space to receive feedback on their research, from the initial conceptualisation to a mock viva, but also to briefly discuss a particular methodological or theoretical aspect they are grappling with. We usually have two students present per session for about 20-30 minutes, followed by half an hour comments and discussion. The meetings are hybrid (held face-to-face but also accessible via Teams). To take part, email Maren Elfert at: maren.elfert@kcl.ac.uk.
CPPR Creative Writing Group
This is a monthly, informal workshop/sharing/discussion space open to doctoral students and staff with an interest in creative writing (of all kinds) both in and beyond our work in the university. Group members take it in turns to facilitate sessions on subjects we are interested in and where we also share work or work-in-progress. Previous sessions have included explorations of: poetry and performance poetry, haiku, instinctive/freeflow writing, the practice and ethics of auto-ethnographic storytelling, writing processes and planning, comic books and graphic art. Meetings last around an hour. If you are interested, email Freya Aquarone (freya.aquarone@kcl.ac.uk) or Tania de St Croix (tania.de_st_croix@kcl.ac.uk).
Theory and Methods Workshops
This group provides an opportunity for CPPR doctoral students and staff to come together in an informal and supportive atmosphere to grapple with methodological and theoretical issues of common interest. Each meeting is usually based on a methodological or theoretical topic or the ideas of one thinker. A relevant text is circulated in advance, with the participants taking turns to choose the reading and introduce the topic or thinker and possible themes for discussion. As far as possible we aim to choose texts and themes that have widespread relevance and significance. For further information, please contact: Alan Cribb: alan.cribb@kcl.ac.uk, or Sharon Gewirtz: sharon.gewirtz@kcl.ac.uk
King's Social Journal
This student-led blog run by the BA Social Sciences students is a space to analyse pressing issues faced by society today, especially with regard to: Gender & Sexuality; Race & Ethnicity; Environment & Society; and Education, Childhood & Youth.
News
Black and Asian people with darker skin suffer prejudice from relatives
Black and Asian people with darker skin shades can be the subject of prejudice and insults from members of their families, new King's research shows.
ECS student wins Policy Idol 2023
ECS postgraduate researcher Alice Weavers was voted Policy Idol 2023 for her idea of gov.uk/youth, a platform to involve young people in national policy-making.
Key resource for new teachers now updated with contemporary issues in education
The sixth edition of Becoming a Teacher – Issues in Secondary Education has been published, now including new chapters on recent educational issues.
New project to evaluate effectiveness of multi-agency child safeguarding reforms
New research is underway to assess the effectiveness of multi-agency safeguarding reforms and whether they reflect the needs of children, young people and...
Youth engage with sustainable water resources in India
A visiting professor from India recently gave a talk at the School of Education, Communication and Society about her research into community participation in...
Contact us
If you require further information about CPPR, please do drop us an email.