Theory and Philosophy of Education

Our Network

Across the UK, Europe and world, theoretical and philosophical reflection on education has provided vital opportunities to broaden debates in education from practical questions of how, to more foundational questions of what and why. Organizations committed to theoretical and philosophical research have blossomed over the last 20 years (see wider network below) and associated publications are growing in their reach and significance.

The conditions of education in contemporary culture require the kinds of debate that these organizations and publications serve. These debates engage in examination of the fundamentals of educational practices and policies, particularly where national and global forces of unity and disunity threaten to elide opportunities for deeper, more interculturally informed, reflection.

This network intends to sustain, reinforce and promote theoretical and philosophical research at a critical time in the history of this nation.

We aim:

  • To sustain, reinforce and promote theoretical and philosophical research in education

  • To disseminate discussion of theory and philosophy of education

Questions for Future Debate:

  • What is the place of Theory and Philosophy of Education?

  • What is the relation of theory and practice in education?

Wider Networks of Theorists and Philosophers.

Network Activities

All future updates can be found in the SERA Latest section of this website under the Theory and Philosophy Network category.

Contact Information

To find out more about the network, please contact our convenors.

Social Media 

X: SERA_TPN

LinkedIn: SERA Theory and Philosophy Network

Convenors

Dr Nicola Roberston, University of Strathclyde.

Vijayita Prajapati, University of Strathclyde.

Michael Quinn, University of Glasgow

Publications

Prajapati, V., Quinn, M. & Robertson, N. (Eds.)(2025). Brilliant Yet Shadowed: Shining a Light on Lesser Known Thinkers in Education. SERA Researching Education Bulletin Special Issue, October 2025.

Robertson, N. (2025). The Big Door Prize: Conceptualising potential in education as an arrow. Educational Philosophy and Theory

Robertson, N. & Prajapati, V. (2025). Adult Education: Learning to do, or learning to be? In N. James, K. Orr & S. Clancy (Eds.) Research Handbook on Adult Learning and Education72-81. Edward Elgar Publishing.

Robertson, N. & Chen, Y. (eds.) (2025). Autobiography, Fan Fiction, and Education. Bloomsbury.

Roberston, N. (2024) Pedagogical reduction: crafting the educational reality. SERA Researching Education Bulletin Anniversary Edition 2. pp. 39-42.