Centre for Philosophy of Education

Our centre

Head of centre: Professor Paul Standish
Operational Director: Professor Jan Derry

Our centre is committed to rigorous exploitation of a variety of philosophical approaches, encompassing such topics as pedagogy, teaching, learning, the curriculum, democracy, citizenship, human rights, inclusive education, moral agency, new technology, arts and humanities research, mental health, and the environment.

Background

Philosophy has been essential to the work of IOE since its inception.

When practical questions in education are pursued rigorously, they typically lead to philosophical enquiry, into the nature of knowledge, the characteristics of the just society, and the nature of the good life. But such questions involve not only ethics, epistemology, and politics, but also metaphysical matters, to do with subjectivity, objectivity, and truth.

IOE has, through the decades, been in the vanguard of the development and dissemination of work in the field. Its Centre for Philosophy draws together research across the range of IOE as well as showcasing our extensive connections in the field.

Members of the Centre are active in leading international organisations in the field, including:

• Philosophy of Education Society of Great Britain
• International Network of Philosophy of Education
• Philosophy of Education Society of North America.

Study with us

We support research students and training through:

• The Doctoral School – Research Training Programme, the EdD programme and postdoctoral fellowship
• Research Days for doctoral students in philosophy of education which are held on a termly basis. These include reading sessions and opportunities for students to present their work.

For more info contact Jan Derry: j.derry@ucl.ac.uk.