Lizzi Milligan

My research interests focus on issues of social justice and educational quality in low income countries. I particularly explore the disjuncture between policy and practice and the impact this has on inequalities in learning experiences and outcomes. I advocate the use of mixed-methods approaches to enable greater understanding of the impact of policies for teachers, learners and parents in school and community settings. I also have a strong interest in cross-cultural research, particularly regarding researcher positioning and ethics. 

In my current research, I am exploring collobaratively: 

• The ways that language of instruction may impact on girls' educational experiences and outcomes in English Medium Rwandan basic education. This is funded by an ESRC new investigator award. 
• The learning outcomes achieved through innovative heritage work with conflict-affected communities in Uganda. This is funded by an AHRC GCRF Network grant. 
• The transformative potential of history education in conflict affected states. This is funded by a GW4 accelerator grant. 

Previous research includes multilingual learners' strategies in English medium schools in Cameroon; the potential for language supportive learning in English Medium classrooms in Rwanda; the barriers to the effective use of teaching and learning materials in Rwanda and South Africa; local and national perspectives of educational quality in Free Day Secondary Education in Kenya; and the processes of innovation in educational research. 

I am on the editorial board of the journal Compare and have been a member of the executive committee for the British Association for International and Comparative Education (BAICE).

Research interests

• Social Justice perspectives of education
• English Medium Instruction
• Education and International Development
• Education policies in low income countries
• Research in cross-cultural contexts

I am interested in supervising new PhD students researching topics related to:

• Education and International Development
• Educational inequalities
• Children’s rights and social justice perspectives
• English Medium Instruction
• Formal and informal education in conflict-affected states
• Comparative Education