Institute of Education London

Centre for Critical Education Policy Studies (CeCeps)

Director of CeCeps: Dr Elaine Unterhalter, Professor of Education and International Development

The Centre for Critical Education Policy Studies (CeCeps) provides cutting-edge research and debate in the field of educational policy studies.  We encourage networks and partnerships that can develop new thinking on policy themes.  Through our research, consultancy and knowledge transfer activities, we champion a critical and constructive engagement with contemporary education policy, working at local, national and international levels. 

We welcome enquiries from prospective PhD students.  CeCeps offers an exciting research environment with many opportunities to connect with national and international projects and ideas.

Perspectives

CeCeps encourages research on the processes by which education policy is shaped, implemented and experienced. Equity, inclusion and the material consequences of policy are key concerns. We aim to interrogate, evaluate and analyse policy in terms of its contribution – both positive and negative – to the enhancement of social justice, working across all phases in education. 

Drawing on sociological, historical and philosophical perspectives and with a strong interest in interdisciplinary work, we undertake research on a range of issues including: marketisation in education and the changing relations between private and public sectors; policy flows and enactments; gender, education and international development; policy for gender and race equality; literacy policy; education provision and social class; voice and choice as mechanisms for policy change.