'Understanding young people's aspirations to teach' (with the Royal Society of Chemistry)

The current and projected teacher shortage in England remains an issue of considerable concern. The need for teachers is most acute at secondary level. Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) subjects have been identified as having some of the most chronic teacher shortages. This studentship will make a valuable and distinctive contribution to advancing knowledge of how young people (aged 10-23) form their aspirations and ideas about teaching, particularly science teaching. Using mixed methods (surveys and interviews), the student will conduct both new empirical research and secondary analysis using the ASPIRES/ ASPIRES2 studies, funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, and led by Professor Louise Archer. The Royal Society of Chemistry is the biggest non-governmental investor in chemistry education in the UK and has a particular interest in understanding the current specialist STEM teacher shortage. Applications are particularly welcomed from candidates with experience and interest in teaching and STEM education research and a Masters degree in Education, Sociology or another relevant social science discipline. Consult: https://www.ucl.ac.uk/ioe/departments-and-centres/departments/education-practice-and-society/aspires-2 for further details on the ASPIRES/ASPIRES2 research study and direct enquiries to l.archer@ucl.ac.uk at UCL Institute of Education. The intention is that the studentship will be allocated on a +3 full time basis.