
Dr Robert Sharples
PhD
Current positions
- Senior Lecturer in Language and EducationSchool of Education
Contact
Press and media
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Research interests
I study how how young people learn and what we can do to ensure they thrive in education. My work began in the classroom and now focuses more on policy and how different services can work together more effectively.
The study of language is at the heart of my work: I work mostly with multilingual pupils (often called EAL or ESOL) and with young migrants and refugees. I work extensively with schools and colleges to help them understand their learners and put simple, effective systems in place to support them.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
- EAL CoPilot- Principal Investigator- Managing organisational unitSchool of Education- Dates- 01/03/2024 to 31/08/2024 
- The Bristol Plan For Migrant Learners- Principal Investigator- DescriptionThis project works with local schools and stakeholders to create a coherent response to students who arrive after the start of formal schooling.- Managing organisational unit- Dates- 01/04/2023 to 31/07/2023 
- Challenges and Opportunities in 16-18 ESOL- Principal Investigator- Managing organisational unit- Dates- 01/02/2022 to 31/07/2022 
- Developing new post-16 pathways for young migrants with limited English proficiency- Principal Investigator- DescriptionIAA Impact Project
 Creating innovative educational provision for an overlooked, high-needs group (young migrants with limited English proficiency)
 Aims to:
 (a) scope the challenge through stakeholder interviews and analysis of existing publicly held…- Managing organisational unit- Dates- 01/03/2021 to 31/08/2021 
- Leadership programme for supporting young refugees- Principal Investigator- Managing organisational unitSchool of Education- Dates- 01/08/2020 to 01/01/2022 
Thesis supervisions
- Contested ontologies of citizenship- Supervisors
- A critical investigation into students’ perceptions of the impact of EMI policy on their content learning and social equity in a HEI in Oman- Supervisors
- English-Medium Instruction in Higher Education- Supervisors
- Ontological Views of the Course Coordinator at a Hong Kong University- Supervisors
- Autonomy and Technology in Language Learning- Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
02/05/2023What do we mean when we say “EAL”?
EAL Research for the Classroom
How school leaders create an environment where refugee pupils thrive: An evidence-based approach
How school leaders create an environment where refugee pupils thrive: An evidence-based approach
What happens when migrant pupils turn 16?
What happens when migrant pupils turn 16?
Teaching EAL: Evidence-based strategies for the classroom and school
Teaching EAL: Evidence-based strategies for the classroom and school
Mobile Learners and ‘English as an Additional Language’
Ontologies of English
