Q&A with Professor Claire Callender
Professor Claire Callender was a Professor of Higher Education Studies at IOE and the Deputy Director of the Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE). She taught on the Higher Education Studies MA.
In memory: Claire Callender OBE
Professor Claire Callender passed away on 15 April 2025 following a period of illness with cancer.
Read our tribute
What attracted you to take up your position at IOE?
I joined IOE in 2010. My research focuses on student funding in higher education, and IOE is undoubtedly the best place in the UK (and probably one of the best places in the world) to conduct research in the field of education.
IOE is also one of the few universities to have a critical mass of academics particularly interested in the study of higher education. Its reputation opens doors to numerous wonderful opportunities.
What do you most enjoy about your position and why?
It is a joy to be surrounded by brilliant scholars, all of whom are interested in the many different aspects of education and bring such diverse perspectives to the study of education. I particularly enjoy undertaking research, and I have been very fortunate to have had lots of space to conduct my externally funded research.
What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?
There are lots of things I am proud of including: being awarded an OBE for services to higher education; contributing to all the major national reviews of student funding; influencing governments’ thinking about student funding policies; being the Deputy Director of an ESRC-funded research centre (Centre for Global Higher Education); working in partnership with colleagues from the universities of Oxford, Lancaster, Michigan and Twente; and watching and contributing to the career development of younger colleagues.
What is the focus of your research and what benefits do you hope your discoveries will bring?
My research examines student funding policies in the UK and their consequences. Recently, I have explored how student loans influence prospective HE students’ higher education choices about whether to go to university, and what and where to study.
Currently, I am researching the impact of student loan debt on graduates’ lives in England. I hope the findings from this research will provide a more rounded debate about student funding policies and help inform the development of student funding policies.
What's the most important thing you've learned from your students?
How important it is to ask questions, however, “silly” they may appear.
Do you think being in London benefits your work and why?
Being in London is a great advantage as it is far easier to access and meet policymakers especially being so near to Westminster – the centre of government power.
What other subject outside of your area of specialism interests you?
I am very interested in history.
What might it surprise people to know about you?
I am a keen tennis player – but not a very good one.
Last updated 24 April 2025.