Dr Tina Collins

Biography

I am a Senior Lecturer in Education and joint course lead of the Masters in Education (taught) programme. My experience also includes Initial Teacher Education. I am ITE Secondary Partnership Research Lead and Academic Lead for the PGDE(I) and MA programmes working with the Indus Training and Research Institute in India (ITARI).

Expertise

My doctoral research focusses on gender and education and educational inequalities. I am currently working on a research project) on ITE and Autism. The purpose of the study is to explore trainee teachers' knowledge and understanding of autism, trainee teacher support needs, and to evaluate their self-efficacy in relation to teaching autistic students across primary and secondary education.

Industry connections

I work with NICE, a unique charity which provides a range of flexible services through the delivery of Conductive Education for young people and adults with movement disorders. Our students benefit from experienced lecturers who have expert knowledge and skills in the area of special educational needs and disabilities.  They deliver modules on coaching and mentoring, SEND policy and practice and social learning theories.

Former students

Following graduating with an MA, my students’ career choices are varied with some working in a range of senior roles within schools or further education colleges in the UK and abroad. One or two students have gone on to work in government on writing policy or work for education charities such as the Education Endowment Foundation and the Sutton Trust as project managers or in research roles. On completing their MA, some students undertake a PhD at Birmingham City University.

Career highlights

I recently worked on a project with senior colleagues at the university within the Health department. The forthcoming paper evaluates a Programme for Women Achieving Excellence in Research (PoWER). I took part in the programme which led to my promotion to MA Education course lead and recent publication.