Libby Ford

Personal statement

Libby’s PhD topic examines the impact of University Technical Colleges in England. The study will focus on whether University Technical Colleges fulfil their own aims and objectives; whether University Technical Colleges challenge the tradition function of vocational education, in regards to gender, race and/or class. It will also focus on staff, student, parent, sponsor perspectives on employability and the role of so-called ‘employer-based pedagogy’.

She has worked within academy schools as well as alternative provisions, where she has become more interested in vocational education, preparedness for work and life skills.

Academic qualifications

• BSc (Hons) Social Sciences, University of Kent
• MEd Psychology of Education, University of Bristol

Thesis title

• The Impact of University Technical Colleges

Research interests

• Vocational and technical education
• Preparedness for work
• Life skills.

Research supervisors

• Professor Charlotte Chadderton
• Dr Richard Riddell