Study With Us

Why GLEA?

• High quality research
• Influencing policy and practice across the educational sector
• Interdisciplinary culture
• National and international partnerships
• Expert supervisors
• Supportive learning environment
• Community engagement

Our academic experts

Staff in GLEA are internationally recognised as leaders in the fields of:

• Interculturality in teaching and learning
• Internationalising the curriculum; building capacity and quality into course design and pedagogical practices
• Decolonising the curriculum
• Equity of attainment
• Inclusive education
• Literacy and language development
• Student wellbeing and mental health
• Gender studies in education

For further information on their areas expertise please see our staff list.

Stimulating learning environment

GLEA promotes a supportive research environment that provides opportunity for critical thinking, reflective practice and rich discussions on research.

PhD study at Coventry University is overseen by the university’s Doctoral College, who provide access to a wide range of learning opportunities and support throughout the student lifecycle from application through to graduation.

Our students are encouraged to work within the GLEA research offices, which are located in the White Friars building in the heart of Coventry City Centre. Our offices are within easy reach of local public transport, and walking distance from the University Library, Student Hub and other support services.

As well as the learning opportunities available to all students at Coventry University, GLEA research students are able to access local activities which include:

Doctoral discussions:

Our doctoral discussions are informal workshops led by our Professor for Postgraduate Programmes. These sessions give students the opportunity to share best practice, discuss progress and work through challenges, acting as a source of support for one another.

Research seminars:

Our research seminars are delivered by experts in the field, whether they be internal researchers from Coventry University, or speakers from the wider education sector. Recent seminars have covered topics including race inequality, challenges and support for care leavers, and higher education across global borders. These seminars give students the opportunity to hear from the experts in an environment where questions and debate are encouraged.

Coffee Connect:

Monthly sessions within the Centre to give students the opportunity for informal networking with our staff.

Postgraduate Research Opportunities

Within GLEA, we provide opportunities to study PhDs in a range of different ways. Choosing to undertake a PhD with us will help you to explore some of the wider issues associated with equitable education and global learning.

Main Areas of Supervision:

We welcome applications from suitably qualified self-funded or sponsored PhD candidates that relate to our current research themes:

Intercultural engagement and global education

Researchers in this theme explore how higher education institutions are integrating an intercultural and global dimension into the purpose, functions, design and delivery of learning experiences, and the impact that this has on students.

Research areas within this theme include:

• Interculturality in teaching and learning
• Internationalising the curriculum; building capacity and quality into course design and pedagogical practices
• International collaborations and our capacity to influence transnational education in its broadest sense
• Inclusive education
• Decolonisation
• Capacity building

Equity and attainment

Our equity and attainment theme explores the systematic and strategic approaches to addressing differential student outcomes. The nature of this theme means that students from disadvantaged groups will be more represented and supported in higher education.

Research areas within this theme include:

• Equity of Attainment
• Exploring the impact of policy. Measures and rewards in encouraging widening participation
• Making education inclusive, particularly with regard to socioeconomic disadvantage, gender, BAME, disabilities and care leavers
• Challenges and solutions in inclusive higher education and transitioning through primary, secondary and higher education, and into employment
• Understanding literacy and language development in education
• Supporting learners with special education needs throughout the learning cycle
• Student mental health and wellbeing
• Impact of COVID-19 on education