Professional Doctorate Education

Many of our research supervisors have internationally recognised expertise in various research methodologies and frequently work across subject areas. 

• Blends academic research with professional practice
• Suitable for researchers and practitioner
• Personalised curriculum path
• Responsive to individual needs
• Professionally experienced teaching team
• First-hand understanding of educational sectors
• Spans multiple educational domains
• Addresses strategic research and development needs
• Develops workplace research capabilities
• Supports professional growth and strategic thinking

Modules: 

Module: 8ED005 Advanced Research.
Credits: 20
This module enables students to deepen their knowledge and understanding of educational research. They will critically engage with academic writing, consider their own 'position' in relation to research methodology, develop a research focus and questions and begin to understand the terminology and language around research.

Module: 8ED007 Reflective Research Development
Credits: 20
This module supports critical, reflective practice through the development of a range of independent and collaborative activities in a variety of contexts. The module provides a liminal space for participants from induction through to the programme completion of the professional doctorate programme. A digital portfolio facilitates critical reflection on all learning activities related to the Professional Doctorate, making use of the affordances of digital technologies for virtual, social and participatory work. This process is supported by academic advisers who collaborate to identify themes of interest that support the doctoral study.

Module: 8ED006 Implementing Educational Enquiry
Credits: 20
The module prepares participants for undertaking a rigorous educational enquiry in their chosen field of interest. The focus will be on the selection and implementation of educational research methods and the critical, reflective evaluation of these practices for research and educational practice. Participants will undertake a substantial review of literature related to their overall research questions and plan, undertake and evaluate the piloting of research methods and tools. This module has a session dedicated to quantitative data collection methods.

Module: 8ED008 The Thesis
Credits: 300
The module builds on a clear rationale developed through the preceding modules to form the basis of an independent supervised research thesis. The purpose is to demonstrate knowledge, understanding and application in relation to the literature in the focus area of interest. The research design and the professional application of the conceptual framework presented in the literature review inform judgements about complex issues. The module will support the rigour of the study process to enable the student to produce work of publishable quality that makes an original contribution to knowledge in the field. The module enables the preparation of the student for all elements of the doctoral examination including the viva voce.

PhD Lead - Education

Diana Bannister MBE is the Director of the Institute of Education and Associate Dean in the Faculty of Education, Health and Well-being

Diana joined the University of Wolverhampton in 2001 to lead development and research in the use and application of learning technologies across the education sector.  Over the years she has worked across education partnerships and prior to becoming Director, Diana was Assistant Director and Head of Postgraduate Taught Provision in the Institute.