Reflections on Identity: A podcast series for educators

In the final episode of the podcast series, Carol and Neil discuss what they consider to be the important findings from the series and how these have affected perspectives on professional identity in education. The importance of context and the dynamic between role and identity are highlighted. Carol and Neil also discuss their own professional identities.Carol and Neil's book on professional identity in education

In this episode, Afsan Redwan discusses his professional identity in the context of Sixth-Form provision in a Further Education College. Afsan highlights the demands and challenges that come with this work and how this affects his sense of professional self. He also reflects on how the working environment for him as someone who is vision impaired has influenced his thoughts on identity and the responsibilities of organisations around inclusion.

In this episode, Jane Pescow discusses her professional identity as a manager in an early years setting. Jane gives an insight into the values and practice she upholds in her work with colleagues and young children and the importance she gives to the children enjoying their experiences of the pre-school environment. She pushes back on notions that the Early Years sector is becoming increasingly over-regulated, arguing that pre-school managers and practitioners have autonomy to devise individualised learning for the children they work with

In this special roundtable episode of the podcast, Saul Keyworth and Oli Belas (both Senior Lecturers in Higher Education) talk about professional identity in relation to physical education and activity. They discuss how notions of what is deemed socially acceptable in terms of gender, the body, space and movement are based on norms and expectations that they critique as part of their research and informs their own thoughts on what it means to be a teacher and researcher in the field. Key philosophies and theorists in this area are also discussed as are ideas relating to community and collaboration

In this episode, Lewis Stockwell discusses his professional identity in relation to his academic areas of philosophy of education and outdoor/environmental education. Lewis talks about the debates in education over what constitutes ‘outdoor education’ and how this affects his and other practitioners’ identities in the field. The importance of relationships between the human and not-human and how we teach about these in schools, colleges and universities form a central focus of the episode

In this episode, James Noble-Rogers discusses his role as Executive Director of UCET. James discusses the role UCET plays as an advocacy body for teacher education in universities and his own role  within the organisation. James talks about the benefits and tensions of working with a number of stakeholders (including government ministers and officials) on the issue of teacher education and the episode ends with his views and advice on teacher agency for colleagues coming into the profession.

In this episode, Emma Fuller talks about her professional identity in relation to her role as a senior advisor for school improvement. Emma discusses the variety of responsibilities she has in her role, including working with key stakeholders such as senior leaders in schools, executives from multi-academy trusts and OFSTED. Emma was previously a primary school teacher and the episode explores her values and beliefs as a teacher with her responsibilities now within a local authority. The importance of mentoring and professional development are also critical to Emma’s identity.  

In this episode, John Mackay discusses his professional identity as a teacher in the charity and community education sector. John talks about his professional and personal identities as being closely aligned in terms of the importance he attaches to his areas of expertise, literature and creative writing, and the opportunities charity and community education provides for people who are often neglected or marginalised by other forms of education. He also discusses the move to online learning and the impact this has had on his professional role. 

Roy Moyser is the focus of this episode. He explains the aims and purposes of the University of the Third Age and his role as a group governor for the Philosophy group at the St Ives, Cambridgeshire branch. Roy talks about the role of the facilitator in learning and how he views this as integral to how he runs his group and its centrality to his own identity and the ethos of the U3A. 

Charlotte Wake is the focus of this podcast episode. Charlotte talks about the portfolio of roles she has in both medicine and education and how these affect her sense of professional identity. She also discusses the important role mentorship plays in terms of creating a sense of professional community as well as supporting colleagues in their development.

In this episode Sam Fisher talks about his professional identity as an Assistant Head in a secondary school. He explains how the role and the context in which he works has changed the way he perceives his professional identity. Sam discusses his attachment to his original career as a Maths teacher and how this informs how he perceives himself – he also outlines what he considers to be key professional values to his teaching and leadership.

Jim Crawley is our guest in this episode. In a long career in education, Jim relates the different roles he has had in youth, further and higher education and how these have informed in his own professional identity. He talks about the benefits of study and research, particularly with regards to his work as a teacher educator, and how collaboration in formal networks has enriched his sense of who he is professionally. The influence of government policy on teaching provision is also discussed.

Molly Ayre is the focus for this episode. Molly talks to Neil and Carol about her various roles within the counselling profession and how these influence her own professional identity. The importance of identity within counselling as a practice and Molly’s own therapeutic and educational philosophies are discussed. Molly also gives an outline of her personal background and how this has affected her attitudes to personal and professional identity.

Emma Butler is the focus of this episode. She explains how the demands of leading a busy secondary school affect her own professional identity. Alongside this, Emma talks about her doctoral studies and how working on a PhD thesis complements her identity. She emphasises the importance of core values and how these can help navigate challenges and provide a sense of balance and fairness at work.

In this episode, Mark Tinney talks about his roles as a learning and technology coach and teacher educator and how these have influenced his own professional identity as an educator. Mark discusses the importance of context and change (technological and otherwise) in relation to the shifting educational landscape and the influence of political policy in relation to these. He also notes the effects of attrition in the profession and what teacher educators might do to try and address this. 

In this episode, Ashley Spiers discusses his role as Head of EDI in a large FE college group and how his identity informs his responsibilities in this area. Ashley offers his perspective on the current educational and political climate regarding EDI policy and practice and how his own personal narrative around race, gender and sexual orientation provides a foundation for his professional identity and his work with colleagues inside and outside the organisation.

Andrew Mitchell is featured in this episode. He talks about how his own professional identity informs the various roles and responsibilities he has both in the university and his wider research and academic pursuits. Andrew also offers an insight into his personal experiences and how these have widened his perspective on life and work. 

William Sharp is the focus of this episode. Here, he talks about the importance of recognising career trajectory (in terms of different roles) when discussing the issue of professional identity. William’s training as a psychoanalyst and educator is also explored, especially the psychological implications on identity from encountering challenges and working with others. 

In this episode, Thabo Miles-Matli talks about his experiences as both a former Computer Science teacher in secondary school and his current role as a teacher trainee in the university sector. He discusses the different challenges and expectations that affect his professional identity having worked in both education sectors.

Mariangela Russo talks about her work and identity as a teacher of students with vision impairments in this episode. Mariangela emphasises the professional sensitivity required when working with students and other parties as well as the values she feels are needed for such work.

In this episode, Lucy Roberts discusses how her roles as headteacher and school improvement advisor impact on her own professional identity. Lucy describes the variety and challenge that she encounters on a day-to-day basis and the skills and values that are needed in her working environment.

Darren Bourne is the feature of this episode. He talks about how his professional identity has affected his roles as educator, manager and consultant, as well as discussion on how identity becomes complex when working as part of a training provider with colleges and universities.

In this episode, David Mathew talks about his current role as Learning & Development Manager with the NHS Arden & GEM Commissioning Support Unit and how working for the NHS in a teaching and training capacity affects his sense of professional identity. David also discusses the importance of writing and research and how these activities have influenced his perceptions of himself as an educator.

On this introductory episode, Carol and Neil talk about the focus of the podcast series and why it is important.Carol and Neil's book on professional identity in education