Personal profile
Summary
I am the Associate Head (Academic) for the School of Education and Sociology.
Biography
I have been working in the field of education for over 19 years covering various roles. In my final role before joining the University, I was the Teaching, Learning & Quality Manager at an FE college, in addition to being a centre quality reviewer for Edexcel. I have conducted research in collaboration with a number of establishments and funded by the ETF, investigating: the use of digital technologies within assessment feedback; an online staff development space; and impact of behavioural science interventions on the progression of learners to higher level academic courses. More recently I have led a team of investigators (funded by the SUN) exploring the decision making processes of second year FE college students, regarding their choices post college. I have presented at local and national conferences, including the Festival of Skills and Digifest, and am keen to continue exploring the impact of differing pedagogical techniques and how leaders in education implement these effectively.
Research Interests
My research interests have been driven by my background in leading teaching and learning. My work oscillates between qualitative and quantitative design, which is informed by both my physical science degree background, and my current social science environment.
My research focus is varied and explores:
- The notion of performativity measures used within further education
- The lived experience of degree apprentice students
- Decision making processes of college students with regard to choices post-18
Teaching Responsibilities
I currently coordinate modules and teach on the MSc Educational Leadership & Management programme, where I am experienced in working with eclectic groups. The programme consists of a wonderfully diverse mixture of students, with the cohort composed of home and international students studying on campus; and also UK based students, international students and expat students studying the course around the world, via online distance learning.
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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No more off-the-shelf CPD: Building sustainable educational growth through project-based collaboration (IS Monaco)
Hoskin, M. J. & Poole, R., 9 Jan 2026.Research output: Contribution to conference › Other
Open Access -
Celebrating a milestone for the Further Education and Skills Research Alliance (FESRA): The Further Education and Skills Research Alliance (FESRA) marks a significant step forward
Hoskin, M. J. & Poole, R., 8 Sept 2025, University of Portsmouth.Research output: Other contribution › Blog posts
Open Access -
Identity formation and conflicting priorities of early career academics on the Academic Professional Apprenticeship
Brindley, J., Poole, R., Cook, F. & Sims, S., 19 Dec 2024, (Early online) In: Journal of Vocational Education & Training. 28 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile61 Downloads (Pure) -
Level 7 degree apprenticeships – a story of challenge, resilience and success
Brindley, J., Poole, R., Cook, F. & Sims, S., 6 May 2024, In: Research in Post-Compulsory Education. 29, 2, p. 191-219Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile71 Downloads (Pure) -
Challenges, barriers and strategies for engaging in Level 7 apprenticeship studies
Poole, R., Cook, F., Sims, S. & Brindley, J., 1 Mar 2023, In: Journal of Education and Work. 36, 2, p. 153-168Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile497 Downloads (Pure)
Thesis
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A Story of Tension and Harmony: the Impact of Neoliberalism on Different Stakeholders in the UK Post-compulsory Education Sector
Poole, R. (Author), Fairchild, N. (Supervisor) & Round, M. (Supervisor), 29 Apr 2025Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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Datasets
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Dataset for "Perceptions of Performativity in English Further Education"
Poole, R. (Creator), University of Portsmouth, 21 Jul 2021
DOI: 10.17029/98e07456-ffec-4d1e-a003-cdbd63982733
Dataset
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Supplementary data for 'Level 7 degree apprenticeships – a story of challenge, resilience and success'.
Poole, R. (Creator), University of Portsmouth, 24 Nov 2023
DOI: 10.17029/fd6affed-d6ee-4b91-a49d-ab8e5636696e
Dataset
File
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National Professional Qualifications (NPQs) - Delivery Partner with LLSE
Poole, R. (PI)
3/07/23 → …
Project: Innovation
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Further Education and Skills Research Alliance (FESRA)
Hoskin, M. (PI) & Poole, R. (CoI)
1/04/25 → 9/07/25
Project: Innovation
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OfS Wave 3 Bid - Teacher Apprenticeship
Poole, R. (PI), Mather, D. (Team Member) & Round, M. (Team Member)
6/06/24 → 1/09/25
Project: Innovation
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Research in Schools Forum
Maynard, E. (PI) & Poole, R. (Team Member)
4/10/21 → 4/10/21
Project: Innovation
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Innovate-Share-Empower Teaching Conference
Hoskin, M. (Presented paper) & Poole, R. (Presented paper)
9 Jan 2026 → 10 Jan 2026Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation (ICERI) 2025
Hoskin, M. (Presented paper) & Poole, R. (Presented paper)
Nov 2025 → …Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Higher Education Research & Development (Journal)
Poole, R. (Guest editor)
14 Aug 2025 → 3 Sept 2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
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FHSS Research and Innovation Conference 2025
Hoskin, M. (Presented paper) & Poole, R. (Presented paper)
Jul 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in conference
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Journal of Marketing for Higher Education (Journal)
Poole, R. (Peer reviewer)
1 Jan 2024 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review