Dr Mark Griffiths PhD, SFHEA

• SFHEA, Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Advance HE, 2017
• PhD in Professional Learning, Loughborough University, 2010
• MSc in Sports Science, Brunel University, 2000
• BEd (Hons) in Education and Technology, West London Institute, 1990

Dr. Griffiths’s research examines the intersections of professional identity, learning environments, and the socio-cultural factors that influence development. He investigates how these dynamics affect the practice of learning, with attention to both formal and informal learning settings. His research program centers on three key areas: the role of socio-cultural influences in professional learning, the use of evaluation methodologies to capture the impact of development initiatives, and the role of communities in supporting professional growth. His work draws on socio-cultural theories of learning, professional identity theory, and experiential learning models to offer new perspectives on professional development and practice. He uses critical and qualitative methodologies, such as case studies and narrative inquiry, to explore these issues in depth. Dr. Griffiths has published research papers, reviews and book chapters in the areas of pedagogy, professional development, digital technologies, social media, physical activity, community, sport development / coaching, and research methodology. He has received research grants from the Arts and Humanities Research Council, The Society for Educational Research, Research England, National Research Foundation of South Korea (Global Network), University of Birmingham, The Football Association (England), UK Athletics, and Sports Coach UK

As a scholar-practitioner, Dr. Griffiths aims to promote equitable and inclusive approaches to learning and professional development. He teaches and writes about socio-cultural influences on learning, with a focus on fostering inclusive and reflective practices that support continuous development across various professional sectors. He has supported practitioners working in the areas of teacher education, sport coaching, exercise sport medicine, organisational leadership, and physiotherapy

Prior to joining University of Birmingham in 2009, he held faculty positions at Oxford Brookes University, Kingston University, and was a secondary school teacher in west London (UK).

Undergraduate

• Innovation and Professional Practice
• Civic Research Dissertation 

Postgraduate

• Innovation and Professional Development
• Applied Professional Practice
• Research Study
• Advanced Pedagogies (Dubai Campus)

Doctoral

• Professional Practice: Understanding competency
• Research Methodology

Dr Griffiths is interested in supervising doctoral studies with a focus on professional development and socio-cultural approaches to learning, both within and beyond educational spaces.

If you are interesting in studying any of these subject areas please contact Mark on m.griffiths@bham.ac.uk or for any general doctoral research enquiries, please email: dr@contacts.bham.ac.uk or call +44 (0)121 414 5005.

Powered By FindAPhD.com

Funded Research

2023 – Young People, Social Media and Online Harms: Addressing Risks in Recreational Contexts. Research England.

2022 – Evaluation of The Football Association’s Youth Coach Development Programme

2019 – “My teachers don’t have a clue”: Digital Literacy for Teachers. Funded by Google Education

2017 – The case of MOOCs: informing digital and online learning. Educational Enhancement Fund. Funded by the University of Birmingham

2016 – Coaching Effectiveness.  Funded by The Football Association

2016 – Teachers’ continuing professional development in facilitating positive youth development. Funded by the South Korean Global Research Network

2014 – Contextually Sensitive Evaluation Tools for School Based Professional Learning: A Feasibility Study. Funded by The Society for Educational Research

2013 – Examining impact of the FAYCE programme: Capturing evidence of change. Funded by The Football Association

2013 – The theory and practice of ‘needs-led’ CPD provision in the FA: The RCDM Case Study. Funded by The Football Association

2012 – An analysis of CPD provision for the football coaching workforce: A comparison with other professional fields. Funded by The Football Association 

2012 – Evaluation of England Athletics National Coach Development Programme. Funded by UK/EA/ScUK

2011 – An analysis of the capacity of volunteer sports coaches as community assets in the Big Society. Funded by Arts and Humanities Research Council

2011 – Evaluation of Coach Educators on Professional Youth Coaches’ Practice. Funded by The Football Association and in collaboration with Loughborough University

2010 – Evaluating impact. Funded by Sports coach UK

• 2014 – 2018 Elected Board Member: Association Internationale des Ecoles Superieures d'Education Physique (AIESEP)
• 2017 – Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy (UK)
• 2014 – Network Convenor (Sport Pedagogy) European Educational Research Association