Article
Cathcart S, Priestley M, Priestley A & Rushton E (2026) Unravelling agency: A critical review of conceptualisations of agency for educational research, policy and practice. Review of Education. https://doi.org/10.1002/rev3.70131
About me
I am a Lecturer in Education (Inclusion and Wellbeing). My research interests include children's rights, children's agency, science education and teacher education. My experience lies mainly in qualitative data generation, including creative methodologies, alongside some descriptive statistics. I am a former teacher of Physics, with experience of working in the third sector. I have worked alongside children, young people and their families, mainly those involved with the social work, in the practice field, and in parent/carer engagement in schools.
Research projects (4)
Impact Evaluation of SSERC Young STEM Leader Programme
PI: Dr Alison Hennessy
Funded by: Scottish Schools Education Research Centre
–
Creating better lives? An Evaluation of the Life Changes Trust
PI: Professor Louise McCabe
Funded by: Life Changes Trust
–
Promoting equity, inclusion, and social justice in Scottish mathematics classrooms: Primary and secondary teachers' perspectives
PI: Dr Constantinos Xenofontos
Funded by: The Carnegie Trust
–
Parent/Carer Engagement Project
PI: Dr Andrea Priestley
Funded by: Connect
–
Outputs (13)
Research Report
Curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy in the Curriculum for Wales: a qualitative study
Priestley M, Schuler B, Georgescu S, Mouroutsou S, Priestley A, Rushton E, Smith J, Duggan B, Morris F & Sinnema C (2025) Curriculum and assessment design and pedagogy in the Curriculum for Wales: a qualitative study. Welsh Government. Cardiff: Welsh Government. https://www.gov.wales/curriculum-and-assessment-design-and-pedagogy-curriculum-wales-qualitative-study
Article
Becoming inclusive: Developing pre‐service teachers' orientations towards their practice in Scotland
Priestley A, Mouroutsou S & Uthmani N (2025) Becoming inclusive: Developing pre‐service teachers' orientations towards their practice in Scotland. The Curriculum Journal. https://doi.org/10.1002/curj.339
Article
Cantali D, Darling-McQuistan K, Dey D, Foley Y, Graham A, Priestley A & Wang Y (2025) Inclusion: Every Teacher's Responsibility: Reflecting on Developing the National Framework for Inclusion 3rd Edition. Scottish Educational Review, 56 (1-2), pp. 48-67. https://doi.org/10.1163/27730840-bja10023
Research Report
THE YOUNG STEM LEADER PROGRAMME Programme Evaluation
Ramjan C, Hennessy A & Priestley A (2022) THE YOUNG STEM LEADER PROGRAMME Programme Evaluation. SSERC. Stirling. https://sserc2.wpenginepowered.com/wp-content/uploads/2022/10/YSLP-Evaluation-Report-June-2022-1.pdf
Article
Mathematics teachers and social justice: A systematic review of empirical studies
Xenofontos C, Fraser S, Priestley A & Priestley M (2021) Mathematics teachers and social justice: A systematic review of empirical studies. Oxford Review of Education, 47 (2), pp. 135-151. https://doi.org/10.1080/03054985.2020.1807314
Research Report
Developing Partnerships between schools, students’ families, and the wider community
Hennessy A, Ramjan C, Priestley A, Bradfield K & Schuler B (2021) Developing Partnerships between schools, students’ families, and the wider community [THE IMPACT OF SUPPORTING SCHOOLS USING CONNECT’S PARTNERSHIP SCHOOLS SCOTLAND (PSS) PROGRAMME TO DEVELOP RELATIONSHIPS WITH PARENTS/CARERS]. Connect (Scottish Parent Teacher Council). Edinburgh. https://connect.scot/application/files/3316/1668/7995/Developing_partnerships_between_schools_students_and_the_wider_community_2021__1.pdf
Article
Care experienced young people: Agency and empowerment
Priestley A (2020) Care experienced young people: Agency and empowerment. Children and Society, 34 (6), pp. 521-536. https://doi.org/10.1111/chso.12383
Consultancy Report
Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020
Priestley M, Shapira M, Priestley A, Ritchie M & Barnett C (2020) Rapid Review of National Qualifications Experience 2020. Scottish Government. Edinburgh. https://www.gov.scot/publications/rapid-review-national-qualifications-experience-2020/
Consultancy Report
An exploration of curriculum reform in the Republic of Croatia: Mentors and principals
Bradfield K, Xenofontos C, Shapira M, Priestley A & Priestley M (2020) An exploration of curriculum reform in the Republic of Croatia: Mentors and principals. The British Council. Stirling.
Research Report
Priestley M, Wilson A, Priestley A & Serpa R (2017) Mapping the impact of educational interventions: A report commissioned by the Education Achievement Service for South East Wales. University of Stirling/Education Achievement Service for South East Wales.
Article
Teacher agency in curriculum making: agents of change and spaces for manoeuvre
Priestley M, Edwards R, Miller K & Priestley A (2012) Teacher agency in curriculum making: agents of change and spaces for manoeuvre. Curriculum Inquiry, 42 (2), pp. 191-214. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1467-873X.2012.00588.x
Authored Book
Promising Rights: Introducing children’s rights in school
Allan J, I'Anson J, Fisher S & Priestley A (2007) Promising Rights: Introducing children’s rights in school. Edinburgh: Save the Children. http://www.savethechildren.org.uk/resources/online-library/promising-rights-introducing-childrens-rights-at-school