Dr William Baker
DPhil, MSc, MA, PGCE
Current positions
Associate Professor in Sociology and Education
School of Education
Contact
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Biography
With colleagues I have also developed a program of research that explores the interconnections between parenting, socio-economic background, and educational inequalities. I welcome applicants from prospective PhD students with shared interests.
Research interests
Much of my recent research has focused on food insecurity, child poverty and the rise of food aid within schools. It has sought to explore, using qualitative and quantiative data, how and why large numbers of schools are providing food aid to families. I am also working on various projects exploring how to improve food education for young people.
I have a long-standing research interest in exploring the interconnections between parenting, socio-economic background, and educational inequalities.
I welcome applicants from prospective PhD students with shared interests.
Projects and supervisions
Research projects
Disaster Risk Planning for Food Security
Principal Investigator
Role
Co-Investigator
Description
ESRC Impact Acceleration Account Impact Award to continue the work on “Disaster Risk Planning for Food Security”. Collaboration with Feeding Bristol CIO, Bristol Food Network CIC, UWE.Managing organisational unit
Bristol Veterinary SchoolDates
01/03/2024 to 30/09/2025
Examining the impact of COVID-19 on Children’s Centres in Bristol: lessons for policy, practice and promoting life chances in the early years.
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of EducationDates
01/09/2020 to 31/03/2021
Creative Heritage and Imagined Futures (CHIF): Young People, Past Conflicts and a Shared Future for Uganda
Principal Investigator
Managing organisational unit
School of EducationDates
20/03/2020 to 19/12/2021
The British Academy Global Challenges Research Fund. Creative Heritage and Imagined Futures (CHIF): Young People, Past Conflicts and a Shared Future for Uganda.
Role
Co-Investigator
Dates
01/01/2020 to 01/01/2021
Thesis supervisions
Educating the Ritas
Supervisors
The learning experience and self-identity of SSSDP subsidised students in a Hong Kong self-financing higher education institute
Supervisors
Exploring the Motivations and Experiences of Parents Engaged in Early Childhood Home Education in Hong Kong
Supervisors
Hong Kong Catholic Secondary School Male Students’ Perceptions of Spiritual Development
Supervisors
Publications
Recent publications
01/02/2026Food Banks in Schools in England
British Educational Research Journal
Single mothers returning to education—Stigma, symbolic violence and moral project of the self
Sociological Research Online
Bristol Food Education Charter
Feeding Hungry Families
Feeding Hungry Families
The rapid rise of food banks in schools
Related people
Professor George Leckie
Professor of Social Statistics
School of Education
Dr Ioanna Bakopoulou
Associate Professor in Psychology in Education
School of Education
Dr Katherin Barg
Senior Lecturer in Education
School of Education
Dr Cathryn Knight
Associate Professor of Inclusive Education
School of Education
Dr James Olivier
Honorary Senior Research Associate
Applied Health Research