Professor Bill Esmond

About

My work examines the policies, structures, institutions and discourses that shape learning and work internationally. My recent publications discuss the stratification of vocational education and training (VET) and its distinctive theorisation in different countries. I work with researchers and support doctorates seeking to move VET towards sustainable and socially just futures.

Teaching responsibilities

The development of new researchers is central to my work for the University. I currently supervise the following doctoral students:

Dan Williams - PhD
Jade Murden - PhD
Louise Neale - PhD
Melody Harrogate - PhD
Tracey Whitmore - EdD
Rosie Lee - EdD

I teach on the taught modules of the University's Doctor of Education programme and contribute to other postgraduate programmes by invitation.

I examine doctorates in other universities across the UK, Australia and Africa.

Research interests

Education and training policy
Practices of skill formation

Membership of professional bodies

British Educational Research Association (BERA) - Convenor of the Post-compulsory and Lifelong Learning Special Interest Group
Vocational Education and Training Network (VETNET), European Educational Research Association
Vocational Aspect of Education - Director

Qualifications

Postgraduate qualifications

Doctor of Education, University of Sheffield
Postgraduate Certificate in Online Education and Training, Institute of Education, University College London

Recent conferences

European Educational Research Conference (ECER), University of Glasgow, August 2023
Journal of Vocational Education and Training 75th Anniversary Conference, Keble College Oxford, July 2023
Nordyrk, Bergen, Norway, June 2023

Experience in industry

Before joining the University, I taught in the Further Education sector for twelve years, including teaching on the University's teacher training programmes in a partner college. Prior to this, I worked in various industrial roles including construction supply and vehicle manufacture.

International experience

My work is based on an engagement with international policies, practices and patterns of education and training. Current international collaborations include work with German colleagues on the theoretical foundations of VET and with researchers from two Norwegian institutions on the VET as a sphere of inclusion and as a primary space of material practice.

Additional interests and activities

Editorial Management Committee, Journal of Vocational Education and Training

Special Issue Editor:

JVET Special Issue, Knowledge and expertise in vocational education and training

Bwp@ Special Issue 19: Retrieving and recontextualising VET theory

In the media

I write, and my work is referenced in news media for the field I research, using a range of media and social media. I am still (just!) on Twitter at @bill_esmond.

These videos are 'video abstracts' in which I discuss recent work with academics and practitioners:

Recent publications

Monograph:

Esmond, B., & Atkins, L. (2022). Education, Skills and Social Justice in a Polarising World: Between Technical Elites and Welfare Vocationalism. Routledge. OA chapters at https://bit.ly/ESJtandf

Peer-reviewed articles in international journals:

Esmond, B. & Wedekind, V. (2023). Theorising VET without 'VET Theoory': Foundations and fragmentation of Anglophone VET research. In: bwp@ Spezial 19: Retrieving and recontextualising VET theory. Edited by Esmond, B./Ketschau, T. J./Schmees, J. K./Steib, C./Wedekind, V., 1-28. Online: https://www.bwpat.de/spezial19/esmond_wedekind_spezial19.pdf (30.08.2023).

Avis, J., Atkins, L., Esmond, B. & McGrath, S. (2021). Re-conceptualising VET: responses to covid-19, Journal of Vocational Education & Training, 73:1, 1-23, DOI: 10.1080/13636820.2020.1861068

Full publication list available on Google Scholar at https://scholar.google.com/citations?hl=en&user=oBBntI0AAAAJ&view_op=list_works