Caroline Hart

Position/Status

Coordinator for Masters in PDDE (Politics, Development and Democratic Education Course)

Academic Groups

Education, Equality and Development

E-mail Address
Qualifications

Recognition

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Profile

My main research interests are concerned with education policies and practices in relation to human development and quality of life, particularly for children and young people. I am interested in Amartya Sen’s capability approach and also the sociological ideas of Pierre Bourdieu and Zygmunt Bauman. My previous research includes a HEFCE funded Excellence Fellowship at the University of Bradford to research widening participation in higher education in the UK. I have also undertaken research into the nature of aspiration in relation to the capability approach and notions of well-being and human flourishing. My social science fieldwork experience includes leading expeditions to the Indian Himalayas, the Perhentian islands in the South China Sea and the study of hill tribe communities in rural areas of Northern Thailand.

My specialist teaching topics relate to sociological and philosophical approaches to social justice, equality and human development. I am also interested in the development of education systems and their role in development. I currently teach and examine on the MPhil/MEd thematic routes in Politics, Development and Democratic Education (PDDE) and Perspectives on Special and Inclusive Education (PSIE) in the Faculty of Education.

Prior to developing my academic career I gained extensive experience as a teacher and education leader in secondary schools in the UK, Italy and Malaysia. In schools my responsibilities included academic and pastoral management of students, overseeing transitions to higher education, staff appraisal and mentoring initial teacher trainees. I have led several projects aimed at improving student engagement in education including being an Aimhigher coordinator.

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Research

Interests

Recent Research Projects

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Teaching

Courses

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Selected Publications

Hart, C.S. (2010) Having it Both Ways: How Can We Develop Quality and Quantity in Education Without Compromising Human Flourishing? International Conference on Human Development, Amman, Jordan, September 2010 [conference proceedings].

Hart, C.S. (2009) Quo Vadis? The Capability Space and New Directions for the Philosophy of Educational Research, Studies in Philosophy & Education, 28 (5), pp391-402.

Hart, C.S. (2008) What Can Young People Tell Us About Promoting Equality and Inclusion Through Widening Participation in Higher Education in England? International Conference on Human Development, Delhi, India, September 2008 [conference proceedings].

Hart, C.S. (2007) The Capability Approach as an Evaluative and Developmental Framework for Education Policy: The Example of Widening Participation in Higher Education in England, Prospero, (13) pp.34-50.

Hart, C.S. (2007) The Future Beyond School/College. Preliminary Findings From a Survey of the Aspirations and Ideas of Students at Schools and Colleges in Sheffield [four confidential reports for internal use by institutions].

Hart, C.S. (2004) HEFCE Excellence Fellowship Report on Students’ Perceptions of their Aspirations and Needs in Relation to Aimhigher Widening Participation Policy (Bradford, University of Bradford).

Recent Conference Papers include:

Hart, C.S. (2010) The Nature and Nurture of Children’s Aspirations, International Conference of the Human Development and Capability Association, Jordan, Amman, September 2010 [conference proceedings].

Hart, C.S. (2010) Movin’ On: A Sociological Analysis of Youth Transitions from Post-16 Education in England, International Conference on Childhood and Youth, Sheffield, July, 2010.

Hart, C.S. (2009) Conversion Factors Revisited. Paper presented at the British Education Research Association SIG on Social Justice, University of Cambridge, 25 June.

Hart, C.S. (2007) Understanding the Role of Education in Promoting Child Well-being. Paper presented at the 2007 International conference of the United Kingdom Forum on International Education and Training, University of Oxford, September 2007.

Hart, C.S. (2007) Ideas and Ideals of Higher Education: Exploring Young People’s Perspectives, Education Seminar, University of Cambridge, 2007.

Hart, C.S. (2006) Accessing Young People’s Voices: Reflections on a Study of Students’ Aspirations, Seminar Paper, Centre for Studies in Childhood and Youth. Seminar on the Practicalities of Working Inclusively with Children, University of Sheffield, March 2006.

Hart, C.S. (2006) Agency and Aspirations: Using a Capability Approach to Reflect on a Study of the Aspirations of Young People, Education Seminar, University of Cambridge, May 2006.

Hart, C.S. (2005) Cogs in the Machine or Wheels of Power? The Role of Practitioners in Widening Participation Policy, Society for Research into Higher Education Annual Conference, University of Edinburgh, December 2005.