The IOE welcomes new Director Becky Francis

She has recently combined education policy work with her academic career. In 2015, she was appointed Standing Advisor to the Education Select Committee and provides a wide range of consultancy to Government and other stakeholder organisations.

She brings her research project, 'Best Practice in Grouping Students,' with her, which looks at the interplay between social identities, educational inequalities and schools' use of attainment grouping.

Her policy research and analysis includes recent work on 'Satisfactory' schools and on Academies, particularly their performance in helping to close the attainment gap between disadvantaged pupils and their more advantaged peers. 

Speaking of her new post, Professor Francis says:

"I am delighted to have been given the opportunity to lead the most prestigious education institution in the world. My key intentions are to ensure that our excellence, innovation, and commitment to equity and civic engagement are reflected across every area, and that our world-leading work is recognised and drawn upon as a global resource. The EU referendum alone has highlighted how this engagement and expertise is needed more than ever.

"Both UCL and the IOE put their support for social justice, social inclusion, and working towards a better future at the centre of their agendas. I was really impressed by this, and I'm really looking forward to being a part of it."

• Read more about Becky.