Educational Research

Postgraduate student in great hall at graduation view from above

Introduction

Educational Research offers, innovative, specialist postgraduate programmes which are consistently rated as excellent by both students and external organisations alike. Our research is internationally recognised for its quality and impact, with 100% of our research impact rated as outstanding in the 2021 Research Excellence Framework (REF). Since the first Research Assessment Exercise (RAE) in 1992 Educational Research at Lancaster University has consistently been judged to be one of the best in the UK.

We are also committed to supporting online and distance learners, ensuring they feel part of our vibrant postgraduate community. Students have access to a wide range of digital resources via Moodle and the Library’s OneSearch facility.

Study

A young adult reading a book to small children.

Research Spotlight: A Scoping Framework of Support for Schools to Develop their Outdoor Learning Practices

To explore and develop a flexible framework that supports teachers in delivering time in nature, tailored to their confidence, skills, knowledge, and the specific needs of their school and pupils. This framework will help schools adapt nature-based activities to achieve outcomes such as improved pupil wellbeing, engagement, and environmental awareness.

Forthcoming events

16th Dec

PhD Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement Applicant Webinar - 16th December 2025

Tuesday 16 December 2025, 9:00am to 10:00am
13th Jan

PhD Education & Social Justice Applicant Webinar - 13th January 2026

Tuesday 13 January 2026, 5:00pm to 6:00pm
26th Jan

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 26th January 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Monday 26 January 2026, 1:00pm to 2:00pm
2nd Feb

PhD Education & Social Justice Applicant Webinar - 2nd February 2026

Monday 2 February 2026, 10:00am to 11:00am
26th Feb

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 26th February 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Thursday 26 February 2026, 5:00pm to 6:00pm
25th Mar

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 25th March 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Wednesday 25 March 2026, 9:00am to 10:00am
21st Apr

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 21st April 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Tuesday 21 April 2026, 1:00pm to Sunday 26 April 2026, 2:00pm
25th May

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 25th May 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Monday 25 May 2026, 5:00pm to 6:00pm
27th Jul

PhD HEREE Applicant Webinar - 27th July 2026 Higher Education: Research Evaluation and Enhancement

Monday 27 July 2026, 1:00pm to 2:00pm

More Events

Latest News

Professor Paul Ashin wearing a blue shirt stood next to green foliage.

Professor Paul Ashwin elected as a member of Academia Europaea

Paul, a Professor of Higher Education in Lancaster’s School of Social Sciences, has been elected into the Academy’s Governance, Institutions and Policies section. 
The new Faculty of Humanities, Arts and Social Sciences’ Heads of School are (top row from left to right): Beatrice Szczepek Reed, Bryan Clark, Caron Gentry and Emma Rose. The new Deputy Heads of School are (bottom row left to right): Mark Knight, Chris Grover, Chris Macleod and Angus MacCulloch.

Four new schools to launch at Lancaster University

Lancaster University is launching four new schools this summer as part of moves to strengthen and streamline the arts, humanities and social sciences.

Small tree surrounded by grass within a broken glass globe with branches of full-sized trees on either side

Eco-Creative Futures: New British Council Project on Green Skills and Resilience

Dr Melis Cin has been part of the team awarded a prestigious British Council grant for an exciting and impactful project titled Eco-Creative Pedagogies: Training the Next Generation of Teachers on Green Skills and Resilience. This research project brings together a dynamic group of researchers and practitioners committed to addressing planetary resilience through innovative educational approaches. 
Icebergs floating in the open ocean.

New Teaching Materials for Key Stage 3 on the Climate Crisis

Dr Melis Cin, Professor Parvati Raghuram (Open University), and Dr Manu Lekunze (University of Aberdeen), in collaboration with Dr Chris Winter (Geography Association) and Dr Dan Whittall (Geography Association), have developed publicly available new teaching materials for Key Stage 3 (ages 11–14) to address the climate crisis through a decolonial lens, focusing on a case study from Cameroon.
Rose Doherty, Julie Voce and Puiyin Wong

Award Winning Doctoral Students and Alumna

Many congratulations to two current doctoral students and an alumna of the Educational Research Department for their recent awards.
Deep blue water with vibrant green lily pads floating on the top

Photographic contest offers chance to enjoy the local ‘Ripple Effect’

A photographic exhibition designed to have a ‘Ripple Effect’ on the local community will open to the public on Monday (November 4).

More News

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