Our staff
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Professor Mike Seal
Professor of Critical Pedagogy
Mike has been involved in the multiple disadvantaged , homeless and youth and community work fields as client, worker, manager, academic and researcher for over 30 years . He previously worked at Newman University Birmingham, the University of Suffolk, the Open University and Oxford University. He is a National...
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Neil Sheasby
Teach First Master's Course Leader, Master's in Learning and Teaching Tutor, and Deputy Chair Ethics
Neil has worked at Birmingham City University since 2014, after leaving the Open University. He is currently the Course Leader for the Teach First Master's (Leadership in Learning) that builds on the structure and content of the LDP and the PGDE. Additional roles include delivering on the Master's in Learning and Teaching....
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Shahla Sheasby
Senior Teaching Fellow
Shahla has worked at BCU since 2014 and she has had multiple roles. She is currently the Chemistry Module Lead (since 2016) for the Graduate Certificate Subject (Chemistry) Knowledge Enhancement course, where her SKE course was one of four Universities accredited by the Royal Society of Chemistry (in 2017), and she has been ...
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Dr Christina Siekierska
Senior Lecturer in Primary English
Christina was a primary class teacher for over 20 years, working in schools across the Birmingham area. She taught across all Key Stages from Foundation Stage to Key Stage 2. During this time Christina had a range of additional responsibilities including; Subject Leader for Science, PE. ICT and English, Foundation Stage leader,...
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Dr Peter Simcock
Associate Professor of Social Work
Peter began working in social work education in 2010 and joined the Department of Social Work at BCU in January 2018. Prior to working in academia, Peter worked for Age Concern, Hull, before moving to the West Midlands and from 2001 to 2008 worked for Wolverhampton City Council in various social work roles including social...
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Dr Rebecca Snape
PhD student and Assistant Lecturer in Education
Dr Rebecca Snape started working at BCU in 2015, firstly as a Graduate Teaching and Research Assistant, and then as a Visiting Lecturer. She is now working as a Lecturer in Education Studies.
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Mark Stares
Senior Lecturer in Primary English
Mark taught in a number of inner city Birmingham schools for 22 years before joining BCU. His roles as Assistant Head and Deputy Head Teacher were varied but included leading on English; leading Foundation Stage and Key Stage 1 and 2; mentoring and supporting staff and teaching students; leading on assessment and undertaking...
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William Swaithes
Senior Lecturer in Physical Education
Will has over 20 years’ experience in education with previous roles including Advanced Skills Teacher, Specialist Leader in Education, Assistant Head for Teaching and Learning and Head of PE and Achievement for the Youth Sport Trust (YST). Will completed his Masters in Educational Leadership in 2020. Alongside his role with...
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Suzanne Swan
Senior Lecturer
Suzanne is a Senior Lecturer in Primary and Early Years Education. She is a passionate teacher and early career researcher. At BCU she teaches both the PGCE Primary & Early Years and BA (QTS) courses. She is also a Personal Development Tutor supporting students in university and on placement. Suzanne was a primary school...
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Dr. Val Sylvester
Senior Lecturer/SWPET Programme Lead
Val has been working with Birmingham City University since 1995. She is currently a Senior Lecturer/Deputy Director of the BSc (Hons) Social Work programme and Programme Director for the Postgraduate Social Work Practice Educator training programme. Previous experience: Shelter National Organisation (1977-81) Val worked...