The School of Management and Social Sciences (MSS) at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has expanded, with the recent appointment of Dr Amanda Simon as a lecturer on the undergraduate Education and Social Science (ESS) programme.
Dr Simon is the fourth new addition to the MSS team this term and has previously taught within the Education Department at the University of Sheffield. Whilst there, she taught on BA, MA and EdD programmes and also supervised BA and MA dissertations.
As a St Mary’s academic, she will formulate new modules for the ESS programme which are due to be implemented during the following academic year. These modules will focus on critical pedagogies and alternative education, and engagement and micro interactional dynamics within education and social care.
Having previously been employed as a social researcher, Dr Simon has a strong social science and social research background and has carried out various research studies in the areas of community initiated education, multiculturalism and education, widening participation, educational aspirations and child advocacy.
Dr Simon said, “I am enjoying my time at St Mary’s thus far and have settled in well due to the organisation and efficient operation of the Education and Social Sciences department and the accommodation of staff members at St Mary’s.
“I appreciate the genuinely personalised approach to learning adopted within the University, and look forward to making further contributions to enhance teaching and learning, ensuring that students continue to receive a high quality learning experience.”
One of her key areas of interest is supplementary schooling. Dr Simon completed a PhD in Education on ‘The social positioning of supplementary schooling’, under the supervision of Angela Creese and Adrian Blackledge at the University of Birmingham School of Education, and recently delivered a presentation on the socio-politics of supplementary schooling at the International Conference for Cross Disciplinary Research in Education, held in Italy. Her research projects have resulted in the production of several reports for governmental and non-governmental organisations such as the NHS, Esmée Fairbairn Foundation and Joseph Rowntree Foundation.
Dr Simon is presently interested in further exploring the field of supplementary schooling and its relation to identity construction and migration and settlement processes, areas that are currently high on social and political agendas.
New Addition to School of Management and Social Sciences
The School of Management and Social Sciences at St Mary’s University, Twickenham has expanded with the recent appointment of Dr Amanda Simon.