Isabel Hallam

Department: Graduate School of Education
Discipline: Education
Research Centre/Unit: Social Mobility

Project Summary

I completed the pre-thesis stage of the Professional Doctorate in Special Needs and Inclusive Education in April 2019. I decided to exit the EdD programme with an MEd in Educational Research so that I can complete my thesis research as a PhD in Education.

My PhD was entitled 'Psychology of student persistence: A mixed methods exploration of college HE students' persistence during Covid-19' https://ore.exeter.ac.uk/repository/handle/10871/131399 

The first article from my PhD was published in Research in Post-Complusory Education https://doi.org/10.1080/13596748.2023.2221116

Supervisory Team

Anna Mountford-Zimdars, Shirley Larkin and Chris Boyle

Wider Research Interests

Alongside my PhD research, I lead a cooperative inquiry research group at the University Centre South Devon exploring the experiences of teachers who teach sensitive topics, the aim is to develop guidance and strategies to support new and more experienced teachers. 

As the University Centre South Devon's lead for social mobility development and evaluation, I lead the design, implemention, monitoring, evaluating and reporting our activities to promote access and participation in higher education, I was also the lead author of the University Centre's Teaching Excellence Framework 2023 submission. 

I also supervise Level 6 and Level 7 students undertaking disseration and action research. Typically I supervise qualitative, quantative or mixed methods research in the fields of psychology of education: special educational needs, inclusion and social justices, teaching and learning practices, and children's mental health and wellbeing. 

Authored Publications/Reports

Hallam, I. C. (1st July 2017) Promoting social cohesion during blended learning in a Foundation Degree, The STeP Journal: Student Teacher Perspectives, Vol 4 (2) , pages 113-123

Hallam, I. C. & Smith, S. J. (6th June 2018) We are not robots: A holistic approach to teaching sensitive subjects, BPS Division of Academics, Researchers and Teachers of Psychology Conference, Birmingham City University, 6 June 2018

Hallam, I. C. (1st August 2023) College higher education commuter students’ experiences of belonging, mattering and persisting with their studies, Research in Post-Compulsory Education, DOI: 10.1080/13596748.2023.2221116