Pallavi Banerjee, PhD
Senior Lecturer in Education
P.Banerjee@exeter.ac.uk
4778
+44 (0) 1392 724778
North Cloisters NC114
North Cloisters, University of Exeter, St Luke's Campus, Heavitree Road, Exeter, EX1 2LU, UK
Overview
My role emphasises strategic decision-making and knowledge exchange, leveraging cutting-edge research to inform and enhance policymaking, with a particular focus on improving educational outcomes for all children and young people, especially those from disadvantaged backgrounds. This commitment positions me at the forefront of efforts to ensure equitable educational opportunities through evidence-based policy development. From 2023 to 2025, I am on secondment to the Department for Education through a UKRI Policy Fellowship (ESRC-funded), focusing on bridging the gap between educational research and policy.
Research
My research focusses on addressing inequalities in educational outcomes for children and young people. I conduct robust evaluations, utilising experimental and quasi-experimental research designs, linked administrative datasets, longitudinal surveys, and systematic literature review to synthesise evidence aimed at improving educational effectiveness. Drawing on my previous experience in conducting research on education with children and young people, I bring a deep understanding of education reform and political priorities, as well as expertise in applied research in a complex policy setting. I routinely analyse large-scale datasets to identify factors associated with education behaviour and decision-making and provide policy advice on these findings.
Research grants
2023-25 Applying behavioural insights to education UKRI (ESRC) - DfE Principal Investigator
2022-23 Developing a new social mobility index Research England Principal Investigator
2022-23 Post-16 learner outcomes and perceptions in different educational settings. GHWY Principal Investigator
2017-19 Evaluating the fairness of admissions in the UK Universities ESRC, Co-Investigator
2016-18 Transforming Transitions Office for Students
2016-18 Understanding effective evaluation of the impact of outreach interventions Office for Students. Co-Investigator
Information for prospective doctoral students
I am interested in working in areas relating to educational and labour market outcomes for children and young people. I will be happy to supervise studies adressing different educational settings such as schools, FE colleges and higher education and topics linked to social mobility more generally. I am also keen on supervising projects involving administrative data and conducting evaluations.
Links
Research group links
Research
Research grants
- 2023 UKRI (ESRC)
Improving educational outcomes - 2017 ESRC
Evaluating the fairness of admissions to UK higher education - 2017 HEFCE
Transforming transitions - 2017 Office for Fair Access (OFFA)
Understanding effective evaluation of the impact of outreach interventions on access to higher education: phase two
Publications
Books
Journal articles
Chapters
Conferences
Reports
External Engagement and Impact
Invited lectures & workshops
Banerjee, P. A. (2020) Equivalent Qualifications. Society for Research in higher education SRHE
Banerjee, P. A. (2019) Transforming Transitions into University: Challenges and Possibilities. Addressing Barriers to Student Success. Organised by the Office for Students at Birmingham, OfS
Banerjee, P. A. (2019) Identifying challenges, barriers during the transition to higher education from different qualification routes. UCAS organized event at Manchester
Banerjee, P. A. (2018) Data sharing and protection for a multi-partner project. Addressing barriers to student success. Office for Students, London
Banerjee, P. A. (2018) Development and evaluation of an academic writing intervention to improve BTEC students’ understanding of higher education assessment criteria through a collaborative FE-HE approach. Advance HE - Equality Challenge Unit, Liverpool
Banerjee, P. A. (2017) Why evaluate? A widening participation symposium. Event organized by Office for Students at the University of Sheffield
Journal and book series Editorships and Editorial board membership
Editor Sociology
Editor: Journal of Global Education and Research
Banerjee, P. A., & Myhill, D. (Editors.). (2019). Transitions from Vocational Qualifications to Higher Education: Examining Inequalities. Book. Emerald Group Publishing.
Media Coverage
Mountford-Zimdars, A and Banerjee, P. (2021) The social mobility index (SMI): A welcome and invitation to debate. SRHE Blog. Society for research in higher education.
Elliott-Major, Lee. and Banerjee, P. (2020) Social mobility and elite universities. Higher Education Policy Institute, HEPI report 20
Banerjee PA (2018). How likely are BTEC students to enter higher education? Society for Research in Higher Education.
Banerjee PA (2018). How successful are BTEC students at the University? Wonkhe.
STEM activities do not seem to encourage students to make STEM subject choices for AS/A levels Medical research.com
Flash Physics: Antiprotons from dark matter, lab visits do not inspire, CERN's new linac, Australia at ESO. IOP Physics world
Oops...no evidence that enrichment activities encourage pupils to study STEM A levels. From experience to meaning
Inspiring role models ‘do not boost uptake of Stem subjects’ The I news
Banerjee, P. A (2017) Assessing the impact of STEM initiatives in improving educational outcomes – have they worked? New BERA blog
Banerjee, P. A. (2017) Students enjoy science at school, but most still don't see it as a career option. The Conversation
STEM Enrichment activities have no impact on exam results." Science Daily, 15 December 2016.
Republished here ECN mag Eureka alert
Banerjee, P. A (2016) STEM Enrichment Activities Did Not Improve Math or Science Scores. Medical research
Banerjee, P. A (2016) Enrichment activities to encourage children to study science, technology and mathematics have no impact on results. University of Exeter - Research news
Banerjee, P. A (2016) STEM activities have no impact on results. Newswise
Republished here Phys.org and Health Medicine network
Banerjee, P. A (2015) Can schemes to inspire tomorrow’s scientists close the poverty attainment gap? The Conversation
Banerjee, P. A (2015) Why we need more diversity in maths and science? World Economic Forum
Significant Impact
Written evidence submitted to UK Parliament
Report submitted to the Department for Education:
Impact assessment of STEM enrichment and enhancement activities in improving educational outcomes
Teaching
I led the MSc Educational research programme from 2018 to 2023 and have just completed my term as the Programme Director. My teaching is on research methods to our post graduate taught and post graduate research students. I also lead sessions on designing research and evaluations.2023-24
MSc Educational research - ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research - Evaluation design
MA EFP013Z5 Summer - Autumn 2023 iteration
2022-23
MSc Educational research - ERPM002 Scientific methodologies
MSc ERPM004 Dissertation (Module lead)
MA EFPM013Z1 Autumn - spring iteration
MA EFP013Z5 Summer - Autumn iteration (Module lead)
MSc Educational research - ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research
MA - EFPM 308 Preparing for educational research and dissertation
2021-22
MSc Educational research - ERPM002 Scientific methodologies (Modue lead)
MSc ERPM004 Dissertation (Module lead)
MA EFPM013Z1 Autumn - spring iteration (Module lead)
MSc Educational research - ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research
MA - EFPM 308 Preparing for educational research and dissertation
MA - EFPM327 Independent study module
2020-21
MSc - ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research: I lead the session on Evaluation design
MSc - ERPM002 Scientific methodologies
MSc ERPM004 Dissertation (Module leader)
MA EFPM013Z3 SP21A Preparing for Educational Enquiry (Summer term)
MA Core 4: Undertaking Educational Enquiry (Autumn term)
MA - EFPM 308 Preparing for educational research and dissertation
2019-20
MSc - ERPM005 Designing and Communicating Research: I lead the session on Evaluation design
MSc - ERPM002 Scientific methodologies
MA Core 3: Preparing for Educational Enquiry (Module leader Spring term)
MA Core 4: Undertaking Educational Enquiry
MA - EFPM 308 Preparing for educational research and dissertation
MA - EFPM327 Independent study module (Module leader)
Modules
2023/24
Information not currently available
Supervision / Group
Postgraduate researchers
- Bushra Ahmed M Areashi PhD student funded by the Ministry of Education, Saudi Arabia
- Yanyao Deng PhD student
- Amanda Rigg PhD student
- Zhimin Shen PhD student
- Mehmet Hafiz Yildiz PhD student funded by the Turkish Government
Alumni
- Sumaiya Al Bulushi
- Saadyah Alaskari
- Kristi Dingwall
- Nurullah Eryilmaz
- Gemma Given
- Eleanor Grout
- Jill Noakes
- Ming Zhong
Office Hours:
My office hours are online via Teams and in-person. To arrange a meeting please email me beforehand