Our team

Dr. Patrick Alexander

Director

Patrick Alexander is a social anthropologist who combines his academic role specialising in education, childhood and youth studies, with consultancy, research activity and strategy.

Patrick is a Research Fellow at the Institute of Social and Cultural Anthropology, University of Oxford, and a member of the Association of Social Anthropologists. He is also an active member of the Anthropology of Childhood and Youth Special Interest Group of the American Anthropological Association.

Prior to joining Oxford Brookes Patrick was a College Lecturer in Social Anthropology at the University of Oxford (St. Hugh's College), and a researcher in the Oxford University Department of Education working on a range of projects related to aspiration and social identity. He was also coordinator for qualitative research methods training for the Social Sciences Division at Oxford University.

Full profile »

Prof. Liz Browne

International Partnerships

Dr Liz  Browne is a Professor of Education working in the Centre for Educational Consultancy and Development (CECD)> As an educationalist she has held senior posts in a number of secondary schools and in the Further Education sector. Whilst working at Oxford Brookes University she has managed the quality assurance of a national quality improvement programme for the Further Education sector, working on behalf of the DfE. She was successful in bidding for funding to create a Centre for Excellence in Teacher Training and managed the Centre between 2008 and 2014.

Liz is an active researcher having articles published in prestigious journals on issues such as data management, the early years standards, ICT and student voice. Her work is now focused on international partnership, delivering training in China and to visiting academics from China, Saudi Arabia and Russia.

Full profile »

Lorna Shires

Teacher Development

Lorna is a Principal Lecturer at Oxford Brookes University. She has been a teacher and senior leader in secondary schools for over 35 years, including being a Headteacher of three secondary schools. She has served as an LA appointed Governor to secondary and primary schools in Oxfordshire and is also undertaking a doctorate in the development of expert teachers.

Full profile »

Jo Skelton

Academic Lead for International CPD

Jo is a senior lecturer in Primary Mathematics with an established career in educational consulting. Jo's specialist areas include training and coaching for leadership and management, best practice for numeracy and literacy, and action research. Jo leads our flagship international programme 'Leadership Through Change' School Immersion.

Full profile »

Peter Russell

Innovation and Business Development Specialist

Peter is an experienced consultant, business development manager and facilitator. An innovation and technology management specialist, he has over 20 years of experience in supporting enterprise growth. Much of his work has been within the scientific, engineering, and research and technology sectors. Peter has worked with several universities, typically helping them with knowledge transfer, business and community engagement and commercial services development. In Brookes, Peter has worked with the central enterprise team; the Business School and the School of Engineering (where he is also an Associate Lecturer). Within CECD, Peter’s focus is on securing new clients, particularly in the international arena, but he is also supporting the team to develop a sustainable business model and implement the changes needed in systems and procedures.

Maria Meacham

Project Officer

Maria has a background in project coordination in the film industry, global business, and higher education. Currently, Maria manages the international consultancy projects, co-ordinates contract research, and consolidates bid submissions. Her work in CECD includes defining project scope, budgets, project data and reports, planning and timelines, and identifying and allocating resources.

Full profile »