School of Education Research Staff Profile

Liz Southern

Developmental work and research activity

Liz achieved a 1st class BA (Hons) Early Childhood Studies & Inclusive Studies at the University of Wolverhampton and went on to complete PGCE in PCE to undertake lecturing in Higher and Further education in the field of Inclusive Education. As research assistant to CeDARE, Liz’s research activities include evaluation and impact studies, longitudinal research for National and Regional bodies and also supporting Staff in a range of research activity.

Liz has a keen interest in student experience in higher education and is currently undertaking a doctoral study: Lifelong learning/lifelong bullying: student to student relational aggression in HE and recently presented a paper at the Global Conference ‘Bullying and the Abuse of Power (Salzburg, 2009).

With extensive experience of working in a wide range of educational settings including early years, mainstream and special education, Liz’s other research interests include vulnerable groups in society and their access to education, services and participation in their communities.

Key and recent publications and materials developed

• Hadfield M, Jopling M, Royle K & Southern L (2009) Evaluation of the Training and Development Agency for schools’ funding for ICT in ITT projects. Final report
• Thompson D, Whitmarsh J, Southern E, Brewster S, Allan J & Emira M (2009) Access to Leisure Activities: The Perceptions of children and young people with Autistic Spectrum Disorder or ADHD and their parents/carers. Report prepared for Walsall Primary Care Trust.
• Waller T, Whitmarsh J & Southern L (2008) Access to Services for Children and Young People with Disabilities. Commissioned report for Walsall Local Authority.
• Moss K, Singh P & Southern L (2008) Women Rough Sleepers in Shrewsbury. Evaluation of current provision.
• Moss K, Singh P & Southern L (2008) Impact Evaluation of Coventry Specialist Domestic Violence Court.
• Charles S & Southern L (2008) Enabling Higher Education: Summary report. Skill Journal. March.
• Southern L, Jopling M, Stokes M, Emira M (2007) Lifelong Learning UK research report: Initial proposals for a minimum core for learning support practitioners.
• Duncan N, Charles S, Prowse S & Southern L (2007) Enabling Higher Education. Disabled students in the West Midlands, their pre-conceptions and actual experiences of university.

Recent conference papers

• Southern L (May 2010) 'Undergraduate student-to-student bullying in higher education: a gap in the research literature', School of Education Research Conference 2010, University of Wolverhampton, Walsall.
• Higher Education Academy Seminar (2008)  Inquiries and Outcomes: University of Wolverhampton's work to supporting disabled students.
• Main Guest Speaker at Women Rough Sleepers Conference, 2nd October 2009, Shrewsbury.
• 1^st Global Conference Bullying and the Abuse of Power – from playground to international relations (Salzburg, 2009) University: a bully-free environment?

Recent development and research projects

• Children’s Workforce Development Council: Longitudinal study of the impact and role of Early Years Professionals.
• Esmee Fairbairn funded project: Reflective Science at KS4
• Astra Zeneca funded project: Supporting children becoming more thoughtful and dramatic in learning science. 
• Lifelong Learning Network funded project: How do you feel? Understanding the initial effective hurdles of diverse HE students.
• City of Liverpool Council/Liverpool Healthy Schools Team: Evaluation of the Liverpool Transforming School Food Strategy 2008 – 2011 (PDF project report 49kb)