[Maths-Education] PhD at Loughborough University, Mathematics Education Centre,

[Peter Gates]

Dear Colleagues,
Do you have any students who might be interested in doing a PhD at Loughborough University, Mathematics Education Centre, where our focus is on teaching and learning mathematics at university level?

We have four areas in which we would welcome a student
1) Undergraduate mathematics, mathematical identity and development of academic support.
2) Developing mathematics teaching at university level
3) Argumentation and proof
4) Approaches used in encouraging students to study statistics

Further details follow below.

If you know of someone who might be interested, please could you pass on this information to them.
Best wishes
Barbara



PhD Studentships
Mathematics Education Centre
Learning and teaching of mathematics at university level are crucial areas of education, both for the motivation of students to study mathematics and for the supply of teachers for educating students in mathematics at all levels of schools and more widely. The Mathematics Education Centre (MEC) at Loughborough University (http://mec.lboro.ac.uk/) is at the forefront of research in these areas. The MEC has been awarded status as a Centre for Excellence (CETL) in the University-wide Provision of Mathematics and Statistics Support. It is incorporating innovative approaches to teaching and learning that address the widely differing curricula and individual needs of students. All activities are underpinned with a programme of pedagogic research.

Full time, three-year research studentships are available for suitably qualified candidates who will conduct research into aspects of the learning and/or teaching of mathematics at university level, or into aspects of university-wide mathematics or statistics support. We are looking for highly motivated students commencing 1st October 2008 if possible, although a later start can be negotiated. The studentships will comprise full fees (at the UK/EU rate) plus £12,940 per annum maintenance grant. Research training will be provided.

Studentships can be applied for in the following areas:

Undergraduate mathematics, mathematical identity and development of academic support.

Provision of academic support for students specialising in mathematics at university, and particularly for those that are more gifted, is not as highly developed as it could be. Evidence suggests that mathematics students often experience feelings of alienation and disengagement from mathematics once at university. The research will focus upon the mathematical identities of these students, and how these develop and change once the students are exposed to university-level mathematics teaching. Contact: Professor Tony Croft (a.c.croft at lboro.ac.uk, Tel: 01509 22 3185).

Developing mathematics teaching at university level

The focus of research here is on how university teaching of mathematics is constructed and developed on ways in which it provides for students' understanding of mathematical concepts. You will engage in developmental research to create communities of inquiry with university mathematics teachers to explore learning and teaching development in mathematics at university level. Relevant teaching experience is valuable here. Contact: Professor Barbara Jaworski (b.jaworski at lboro.ac.uk, Tel: 01509 228254).

Argumentation and proof

Many aspects of students' engagement with proof and argumentation remain poorly understood. Possible topics are: (i) How do students read proofs? Are there differences between reading to gain understanding and reading to verify correctness? (ii) What factors influence the persuasiveness of non-deductive mathematical arguments? Do these factors vary with mathematical maturity? Contact: Professor Barbara Jaworski (b.jaworski at lboro.ac.uk, Tel: 01509 228254) or Dr Matthew Inglis (m.j.inglis at googlemail.com)

Approaches used in encouraging students to study statistics

The focus of the research will be to examine the effectiveness of various approaches used in encouraging students to study statistics, both in the UK and in France. The student will then look at learning and teaching strategies adopted in the two countries and identify areas of good practice. This studentship will be based at Loughborough University, but will involve some periods of work in the University of South Brittany, at Vannes. Contact: Dr Richard Gadsden (Email r.j.gadsden at lboro.ac.uk, Tel: 01509 222868)

Further information

Applicants require or should be expecting to obtain an Upper Second or First Class Honours degree or a Masters degree in Mathematics, Mathematics Education or a related discipline. The closing date for application for the studentships is 21st July, 2008. You are strongly advised to contact the relevant member of staff by email in advance of this date to discuss the application.

Application forms can be completed on-line or downloaded from http://www.lboro.ac.uk/prospectus/pg/, or obtained from the Research Student Office, Academic Registry, Loughborough University, Leicestershire, LE11 3TU (pgresearch at lboro.ac.uk, 01509 222473). For all applications it should be made clear which area(s) you are interested in and reasons outlined. You should send also a representative piece of writing (for example, you might write about the research area you are interested in, why you are interested and some ideas as to how you might carry out the research; otherwise, a short article or a dissertation chapter) to demonstrate scholarly thinking and writing at an appropriate level. This should be sent by email tob.jaworski at lboro.ac.uk at the same time that you submit the application form. Note that the home department for registration of on-line applications is the Mathematics Education Centre in the School of Mathematics.

Professor Barbara Jaworski
Mathematics Education Centre
Loughborough University
Loughborough
LE11 3TU

Tel: +44 (0) 1509 228254
Fax: +44 (0) 1509 228211