Patricia Gilbert is a lecturer in Education and Sociology at the University of Portsmouth, where she is also undertaking her doctoral studies. Her qualifications include a BA (Hons) in Humanities, a Graduate Diploma in Sociology, a Postgraduate Certificate in Lifelong Learning and an MSc in Development Studies. Her research area focuses on student attainment and support in higher education. Along with teaching in adult, further and higher education, she has worked for charities and non-governmental organisations in the areas of human rights, racial equality, homelessness and global perspectives in education.