Dr Tom Ralph

About me:

I am the Head of Initial Teacher Education at Exeter and I lead the Secondary Mathematics PGCE. I also teach on the MSc in Educational Research programme as well as supervising dissertation and PhD students.

My research interests focus on resistant students in school, how they make use of space to make school the kind of place they want to be and how they make their voices heard. I am also interested in the effects of this on mathematics education.

Prior to working at Exeter, I spent 11 years teaching in various schools in London and Dorset. I also worked as a consultant at SMILE Maths developing educational software. Most recently I was a head of department in a school which specialised in Mathematics.

Interests:

My research interests focus on resistant students in school, how they make use of space to make school the kind of place they want to be and how they make their voices heard. My PhD research focussed on these matters and how they affected a specific group of disenfranchised pupils attending a sponsored academy which was in the process of being rebuilt.

I am also interested in the effects of these issues on mathematics education as well as maintaining an interest in initial teacher education.

Qualifications:

PhD Education, University of Exeter. 2016

MSc Educational Research, University of Exeter; Distinction. 2010

MEd Education, University of Exeter; Distinction. 2008

PGCE Secondary Mathematics, Kings College. 1998

BSc & ARCS Mathematics. Imperial College. 1997

Senior Fellow of The Higher Education Academy

National Centre for Excellence in the Teaching of Mathematics Accredited Professional Development Lead

Career:

2019 - Present, Senior Lecturer in Education, University of Exeter.

2014 - 2019, Lecturer in Education, University of Exeter.

2009 - 2014, Teacher Education Research Fellow, University of Exeter.

2006-2009, Head of Maths. Rossmore Community College.

1998-2006, Teacher of Maths in various schools in London and Dorset.