Julie Pearson
My research: A self-study action research enquiry into
critical pedagogy in primary education 
Programme: PhD Education
Study mode: Part-time
I am a senior lecturer at St Mary’s University
College, Twickenham, teaching on the ITT post graduate and
undergraduate primary physical education modules. I also teach on
the PG and PE Masters modules. I am a mother of 2 children who
continue to entertain me as they learn and enquire, but who also
keep my feet firmly rooted to the floor of life. I enjoy quiet
times nowadays, a change from the years before when I was totally
immersed sporting activities and entertaining. My research is a
continuation of my Masters in which I asked `how can I improve my
practice’? My PhD focus is through a self study, action research
enquiry, which aims to develop critical emancipatory practices, in
order to generate new pedagogical knowledge that will contribute to
the wellbeing of teachers (and their students) in wider education
settings. By engaging in my enquiry, I am hoping to find ways to
exercise my educational influence in others’ thinking, so that they
can produce their critical accounts of practice that offer
explanations for how they are holding themselves accountable for
their work, as I also aim to do. It is an exciting and very
relevant study in Higher Education.
Why did you choose this programme at
this University?
I feel YSJ is similar to St Mary’s offering me
the expertise within the walls of a calm and secure learning
environment. My supervisors are also a big influence in my
selection process and have been a solid support structure to
date.
How long have you been studying at
YSJ?
I am only in my first year of the part time
course.
How did you find combining your ‘work
& home’ life with your studies?
As I work full time as a lecturer and mother,
studies come at the end of the long list of things to do, therefore
I am taking the steps very slowly. I am maintaining the interest in
my PhD studies through my desire to improve and newly acquired
enjoyment of learning.
What did you find most helpful about
the programme, resources, staff, university?
The efficient administrative sections of YSJ
keep me on the ball and the flexibility of supervisors meeting with
us is an added bonus. Cluster learning is great. The staff and
colleagues I have met to date are very supportive and caring. With
my few trips up north, I have enjoyed the short journey, times of
conversation and learning, and returned south with a smile but even
more to read!