Christopher Downey

Christopher Downey is Professor of Education at the Southampton Education School, University of Southampton, UK.

My research focuses on the social context of education, seeking to develop our understanding of the relational capital of students, educators and educational leaders. I am especially interested in researching the role of the support networks of students around key transition points in their studies, and the collaborative networks of leaders within and across organisational boundaries. I’m especially intrigued by people working in “broker” type roles across organisational boundaries, especially where their work helps to reduce the inequalities that exist around social and demographic boundaries.

I have a background in researching educational effectiveness and improvement, especially the role that data and evidence plays in informing educational decision-making. This includes the use of a range of metrics of educational effectiveness, supporting the development of policy around the use of such metrics to help achieve greater equality of educational outcomes for all learners, and to support widening access to post-compulsory education.