Professor Simon McGrath

  • Professor of Education (School of Education)

Biography

I hold the established Chair in Education. Before moving to this role in 2022, I was UNESCO Chair in International Education and Development at the University of Nottingham. I am also visiting professor at Nelson Mandela University, South Africa.

I work on a range of aspects of the education-development relationship, particularly on vocational learning and diverse forms of work, and on integral human development. Most of my work has been in Africa though I have done some work in Europe, Asia and the Pacific.

I have been a government scientific advisor in both UK and South Africa, and have done extensive international policy work, most especially for UNESCO, the Commonwealth and SADC.

Research interests

I have worked extensively on education-work issues, incuding on the relationships between informal, nonformal and formal learning and various forms of work, formal, informal, provisioning, etc. 

My current research projects are on rural and urban informal skills and development, education for sustainable futures, work and just transitions, agricultural education, access to vocational education and training.

Publications

List by: Type | Date

Jump to: 2024 | 2023 | 2022 | 2021 | 2020 | 2019 | 2018 | 2017 | 2016 | 2015 | 2014 | 2013 | 2012 | 2011 | 2010 | 2009 | 2008 | 2007 | 2006 | 2005 | 2004 | 2002 | 2001 | 1999
Number of items: 85.

2024

Lotz-Sisitka, H., McGrath, S. and Ramsarup, P. (2024) Oil, transport, water and food: a political-economy-ecology lens on VET in a climate changing world. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 281-306. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2320910)

McGrath, S. and Ramsarup, P. (2024) Towards vocational education and training and skills development for sustainable futures. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 247-258. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2317574)

Muwaniki, C., Wedekind, V. and McGrath, S. (2024) Agricultural vocational education and training for sustainable futures: responsiveness to the climate and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 430-446. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2317163)

Ramsarup, P., McGrath, S. and Lotz-Sisitka, H. (2024) A landscape view of emerging sustainability responses within VET. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2320911) (Early Online Publication)

Monk, D., Molebatsi, P., McGrath, S. , Metelerkamp, L., Adrupio, S., Openjuru, G., Robbins, G. and Tshabalala, T. (2024) Revisiting VET research paradigms: critical perspectives from the South. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2023.2280972) (Early Online Publication)

2023

McGrath, S. (2023) Education and development. In: Clarke, M. and Zhao, X. (A.) (eds.) Elgar Encyclopaedia of Development. Edward Elgar, pp. 214-219. ISBN 9781800372115

McGrath, S. and Yamada, S. (2023) Skills for development and vocational education and training: current and emergent trends. International Journal of Educational Development, 102, 102853. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102853)

McGrath, S. (2023) Education for the great socio-ecological transition. Religion and Development, 2(1), pp. 126-145. (doi: 10.30965/27507955-20230019)

Ramsarup, P., McGrath, S. and Lotz-Sisitka, H. (2023) Reframing skills ecosystems for sustainable and just futures. International Journal of Educational Development, 101, 102836. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102836)

McGrath, S. and Russon, J.-A. (2023) TVET SI: Towards sustainable vocational education and training: thinking beyond the formal. Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, 39, (doi: 10.4314/sajee.v39.03)

McMullen, J., Arakawa, N., Anderson, C., Pattison, L. and McGrath, S. (2023) A systematic review of contemporary competency-based education and training for pharmacy practitioners and students. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19(2), pp. 192-217. (doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.013)

McGrath, S. , Openjuru, G. L., Lotz-Sisitka, H., Allais, S., Zeelen, J., Wedekind, V., Ramsarup, P., Monk, D., Metelerkamp, L., Russon, J.-A., Kyaligonja, B., Robbins, G., Adrupio, S., Ocan, D., Nyeko, K., Primo, A., Molebatsi, P., Tshabalala, T., Muhangi, S. and Openjuru, M. (2023) Transitioning Vocational Education and Training in Africa: A Social Skills Ecosystem Perspective. Series: Bristol studies in comparative and international education. Bristol University Press: Bristol. ISBN 9781529224634 (doi: 10.47674/9781529224658)

2022

McGrath, S. (2022) Skills futures in Africa. Prospects, 52(3-4), pp. 325-341. (doi: 10.1007/s11125-022-09622-9)

Muwaniki, C., McGrath, S. , Manzeke-Kangara, G., Chamboko, T. and Wedekind, V. (2022) Curriculum reform in agricultural vocational education and training in Zimbabwe: implementation challenges and possibilities. Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training, 5(1), pp. 94-115. (doi: 10.14426/jovacet.v5i1.248)

McGrath, S. (2022) Development and education. In: Tierney, R. J., Rizvi, F. and Erkican, K. (eds.) International Encyclopaedia of Education (Fourth Edition). Elsevier Science: Amsterdam, pp. 52-59. ISBN 9780128186299 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818630-5.01007-1)

McGrath, S. , Powell, L., Alla-Mensah, J., Hilal, R. and Suart, R. (2022) New VET theories for new times: the critical capabilities approach to vocational education and training and its potential for theorising a transformed and transformational VET. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 74(4), pp. 575-596. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2020.1786440)

Ramsarup, P., Lotz-Sisitka, H. and McGrath, S. (2022) A laminated, emergentist view of skills ecosystems. Journal of Critical Realism, 21(5), pp. 571-588. (doi: 10.1080/14767430.2022.2145768)

McGrath, S. (2022) Vocational education in the fourth industrial revolution by J. Avis, Palgrave Pivot, 2020. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 74(2), pp. 352-354. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2021.2018227)[Book Review]

Puplampu, B. B. et al. (2022) The role of leaders in building research cultures in sub-Saharan African universities: a six-nation study. Africa Journal of Management, 8(2), pp. 171-193. (doi: 10.1080/23322373.2022.2039050)

2021

Wedekind, V., Russon, J.-A., Ramsarup, P., Monk, D., Metelerkamp, L. and McGrath, S. (2021) Conceptualising regional skills ecosystems: reflections on four African cases. International Journal of Training and Development, 25(4), pp. 347-362. (doi: 10.1111/ijtd.12251)

McGrath, S. and Deneulin, S. (2021) Education for just transitions: lifelong learning and the 30th anniversary Human Development Report. International Review of Education, 67(5), pp. 637-658. (doi: 10.1007/s11159-021-09914-w)

McGrath, S. , Thondhlana, J. and Garwe, E. (2021) Internationalisation of higher education and national development: the case of Zimbabwe. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 51(6), pp. 881-900. (doi: 10.1080/03057925.2019.1684241)

Alla-Mensah, J. and McGrath, S. (2021) A capability approach to understanding the role of informal apprenticeship in the human development of informal apprentices. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2021.1951332) (Early Online Publication)

Thondhlana, J., Abdulrahman, H., Garwe, E. C. and McGrath, S. (2021) Exploring the internationalization of Zimbabwe’s higher education institutions through a decolonial lens: postcolonial continuities and disruptions. Journal of Studies in International Education, 25(3), pp. 228-246. (doi: 10.1177/1028315320932319)

Avis, J., Atkins, L., Esmond, B. and McGrath, S. (2021) Re-conceptualising VET: responses to covid-19. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 73(1), pp. 1-23. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2020.1861068)

2020

McGrath, S. , Ramsarup, P., Zeelen, J., Wedekind, V., Allais, S., Lotz-Sisitka, H., Monk, D., Openjuru, G. and Russon, J.-A. (2020) Vocational education and training for African development: a literature review. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 72(4), pp. 465-487. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2019.1679969)

2019

O’Shea, J. and McGrath, S. (2019) Contemporary factors shaping the professional identity of occupational therapy lecturers. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 82(3), pp. 186-194. (doi: 10.1177/0308022618796777)

Karlidag-Dennis, E., McGrath, S. and Stevenson, H. (2019) Educational policy-making and hegemony: monolithic voices from civil society. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 40(8), pp. 1138-1153. (doi: 10.1080/01425692.2019.1647091)

2018

McGrath, S. (2018) Education and Development. Series: Routledge perspectives on development. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY. ISBN 9781138211209 (doi: 10.4324/9781315453330)

2017

Crossley, M., Koya Vaka’uta, C. F., Lagi, R., McGrath, S. , Thaman, K. H. and Waqailiti, L. (2017) Quality education and the role of the teacher in Fiji: mobilising global and local values. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 47(6), pp. 872-890. (doi: 10.1080/03057925.2017.1338938)

Bader, L. R., McGrath, S. , Rouse, M. J. and Anderson, C. (2017) A conceptual framework toward identifying and analyzing challenges to the advancement of pharmacy. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 13(2), pp. 321-331. (doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.03.001)

McGrath, S. , Madziva, R. and Thondhlana, J. (2017) Rethinking the employability of international graduate migrants: reflections on the experiences of Zimbabweans with degrees from England. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 41(2), pp. 238-259. (doi: 10.1080/0309877X.2015.1062853)

2016

McGrath, S. and Powell, L. (2016) Skills for sustainable development: transforming vocational education and training beyond 2015. International Journal of Educational Development, 50, pp. 12-19. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2016.05.006)

2015

Ibhakewanlan, J.-O. and McGrath, S. (2015) Toward an African community-based research (ACBR) methodology. SAGE Open Medicine, 5(4), p. 2158244015613106. (doi: 10.1177/2158244015613106)

McGrath, S. and Gu, Q. (Eds.) (2015) Routledge Handbook of International Education and Development. Series: Routledge handbooks. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 9780415747547

Kruss, G., McGrath, S. , Petersen, I.-h. and Gastrow, M. (2015) Higher education and economic development: the importance of building technological capabilities. International Journal of Educational Development, 43, pp. 22-31. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.04.011)

2014

McGrath, S. (2014) Education and the post-2015 international development goals. International Journal of Educational Development, 39, pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2014.08.006)

McGrath, S. (2014) The post-2015 debate and the place of education in development thinking. International Journal of Educational Development, 39, pp. 4-11. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2014.05.002)

McGrath, S. (2014) Education in small states: policies and priorities. Comparative Education, 50(4), pp. 509-510. (doi: 10.1080/03050068.2014.941175)[Book Review]

2013

McGrath, S. (2013) Education and development: looking beyond 2015. International Journal of Educational Development, 33(2), p. 117. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.09.008)

McGrath, S. (2013) The weight and breadth of evidence: some reflections on the strengths of international education and development research. International Journal of Educational Development, 33(1), (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.07.005)

2012

McGrath, S. (2012) Researching international education and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(6), pp. 709-710. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.05.003)

Lim, Z., Anderson, C. and McGrath, S. (2012) Professional skills development in a resource-poor setting: the case of pharmacy in Malawi. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 654-664. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.01.004)

McGrath, S. (2012) Building new approaches to thinking about vocational education and training and development: policy, theory and evidence. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 619-622. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.04.003)

McGrath, S. (2012) Vocational education and training for development: a policy in need of a theory? International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 623-631. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.12.001)

McGrath, S. and Lugg, R. (2012) Knowing and doing vocational education and training reform: evidence, learning and the policy process. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 696-708. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.02.004)

McGrath, S. (2012) Education, poverty and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(4), p. 493. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2012) The importance of educational alternatives. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(3), p. 367. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.01.006)

McGrath, S. (2012) Active agents: young people making social justice. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(2), pp. 205-206. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.10.005)

McGrath, S. (2012) The comparative advantage of international education: different places, different lenses, different voices. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.09.001)

2011

McGrath, S. (2011) Journeying the long road to education for development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(5), pp. 417-418. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.05.001)

McGrath, S. (2011) Drawing together the complex strands of education and human development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(3), pp. 211-212. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.02.008)

McGrath, S. (2011) New actors and new modalities in education for development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(2), pp. 97-98. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.10.002)

2010

McGrath, S. (2010) Researching international education and development: IJED at thirty. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(6), pp. 535-536. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.07.001)

Colclough, C., King, K. and McGrath, S. (2010) The new politics of aid to education-Rhetoric and reality. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(5), pp. 451-452. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.03.009)

McGrath, S. (2010) Beyond aid effectiveness: The development of the South African further education and training college sector, 1994-2009. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(5), pp. 525-534. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.03.011)

McGrath, S. (2010) Educational quality and the importance of context and purpose. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(4), pp. 335-336. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2010) Points of transition: vantage points on the journey to universal educational participation. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(3), pp. 225-226. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.02.001)

McGrath, S. (2010) The role of education in development: an educationalist's response to some recent work in development economics. Comparative Education, 46(2), pp. 237-253. (doi: 10.1080/03050061003775553)

McGrath, S. (2010) Addressing educational inequality. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(2), pp. 119-120. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.11.002)

McGrath, S. (2010) The right to quality education. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.09.001)

2009

McGrath, S. (2009) Discourse and context: National and international conceptions of education and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(6), pp. 547-549. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.07.002)

McGrath, S. (2009) Education and development: Making a difference. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(4), pp. 331-333. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2009) On the limits of best practice. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(3), pp. 185-186. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.03.001)

McGrath, S. and Akoojee, S. (2009) Vocational education and training for sustainability in South Africa: The role of public and private provision. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(2), pp. 149-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.09.008)

McGrath, S. (2009) Education at the margins. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.09.003)

2008

McGrath, S. (2008) Education, culture and society: The complex dynamics of change. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(6), pp. 625-627. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.06.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Caught between different worlds: Teachers and educational change. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(5), pp. 493-495. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.04.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Education and development: Bringing the vulnerable back in. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(4), pp. 363-364. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.03.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Education and development in diverse contexts. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(3), pp. 229-230. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.01.003)

McGrath, S. (2008) Educational change: Best practices and messy realities. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(2), pp. 115-117. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.12.001)

McGrath, S. (2008) Developing teachers and teaching. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(1), pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.11.001)

2007

McGrath, S. (2007) Complexity, identity and educational change. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(6), pp. 597-598. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.09.003)

McGrath, S. (2007) Mediating between global theory and local practices. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(5), pp. 483-485. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.07.001)

King, K., McGrath, S. and Rose, P. (2007) Beyond the basics: Educating and training out of poverty. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(4), pp. 349-357. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.03.001)

McGrath, S. and Akoojee, S. (2007) Education and skills for development in South Africa: Reflections on the accelerated and shared growth initiative for South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(4), pp. 421-434. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.07.009)

McGrath, S. (2007) Editorial. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(1), pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.10.006)

2006

McGrath, S. and Badroodien, A. (2006) International influences on the evolution of skills development in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 26(5), pp. 483-494. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2005.10.008)

McGrath, S. , Akoojee, S., Gewer, A., Mabizela, M., Mbele, N. and Roberts, J. (2006) An examination of the vocational education and training reform debate in Southern Africa. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 36(1), pp. 85-103. (doi: 10.1080/03057920500382655)

2005

McGrath, S. (2005) 'Skills for productive citizenship for all': The place of skills development for micro and small enterprises in South Africa. Journal of Education and Work, 18(1), pp. 111-125. (doi: 10.1080/1363908052000332339)

2004

McGrath, S. and King, K. (2004) Knowledge-based aid: a four agency comparative study. International Journal of Educational Development, 24(2), pp. 167-181. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2003.10.008)

2002

King, K. and McGrath, S. (2002) Globalisation, Enterprise and Knowledge: education, training and development in Africa. Series: Monographs in international education. Symposium Books. ISBN 9781873927496 (doi: 10.15730/books.33)

King, K., McGrath, S. , Rogerson, C. and Visser, K. (2002) Learning-led competitiveness: a challenge South African development. Africa Insight, 32(4), pp. 28-35. (doi: 10.4314/ai.v32i4.22263)

2001

McGrath, S. (2001) Research in a cold climate: towards a political economy of British international and comparative education. International Journal of Educational Development, 21(5), pp. 391-400. (doi: 10.1016/S0738-0593(00)00055-9)

1999

McGrath, S. (1999) Enterprise in Africa: Between poverty and growth. Practical Action Publishing. ISBN 9781853394782 (doi: 10.3362/9781780440774)

This list was generated on Wed May 1 23:38:31 2024 BST.
Jump to: Articles | Books | Book Sections | Book Reviews | Edited Books
Number of items: 85.

Articles

Lotz-Sisitka, H., McGrath, S. and Ramsarup, P. (2024) Oil, transport, water and food: a political-economy-ecology lens on VET in a climate changing world. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 281-306. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2320910)

McGrath, S. and Ramsarup, P. (2024) Towards vocational education and training and skills development for sustainable futures. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 247-258. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2317574)

Muwaniki, C., Wedekind, V. and McGrath, S. (2024) Agricultural vocational education and training for sustainable futures: responsiveness to the climate and economic crisis in Zimbabwe. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 76(2), pp. 430-446. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2317163)

Ramsarup, P., McGrath, S. and Lotz-Sisitka, H. (2024) A landscape view of emerging sustainability responses within VET. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2024.2320911) (Early Online Publication)

Monk, D., Molebatsi, P., McGrath, S. , Metelerkamp, L., Adrupio, S., Openjuru, G., Robbins, G. and Tshabalala, T. (2024) Revisiting VET research paradigms: critical perspectives from the South. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2023.2280972) (Early Online Publication)

McGrath, S. and Yamada, S. (2023) Skills for development and vocational education and training: current and emergent trends. International Journal of Educational Development, 102, 102853. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102853)

McGrath, S. (2023) Education for the great socio-ecological transition. Religion and Development, 2(1), pp. 126-145. (doi: 10.30965/27507955-20230019)

Ramsarup, P., McGrath, S. and Lotz-Sisitka, H. (2023) Reframing skills ecosystems for sustainable and just futures. International Journal of Educational Development, 101, 102836. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2023.102836)

McGrath, S. and Russon, J.-A. (2023) TVET SI: Towards sustainable vocational education and training: thinking beyond the formal. Southern African Journal of Environmental Education, 39, (doi: 10.4314/sajee.v39.03)

McMullen, J., Arakawa, N., Anderson, C., Pattison, L. and McGrath, S. (2023) A systematic review of contemporary competency-based education and training for pharmacy practitioners and students. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 19(2), pp. 192-217. (doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2022.09.013)

McGrath, S. (2022) Skills futures in Africa. Prospects, 52(3-4), pp. 325-341. (doi: 10.1007/s11125-022-09622-9)

Muwaniki, C., McGrath, S. , Manzeke-Kangara, G., Chamboko, T. and Wedekind, V. (2022) Curriculum reform in agricultural vocational education and training in Zimbabwe: implementation challenges and possibilities. Journal of Vocational, Adult and Continuing Education and Training, 5(1), pp. 94-115. (doi: 10.14426/jovacet.v5i1.248)

McGrath, S. , Powell, L., Alla-Mensah, J., Hilal, R. and Suart, R. (2022) New VET theories for new times: the critical capabilities approach to vocational education and training and its potential for theorising a transformed and transformational VET. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 74(4), pp. 575-596. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2020.1786440)

Ramsarup, P., Lotz-Sisitka, H. and McGrath, S. (2022) A laminated, emergentist view of skills ecosystems. Journal of Critical Realism, 21(5), pp. 571-588. (doi: 10.1080/14767430.2022.2145768)

Puplampu, B. B. et al. (2022) The role of leaders in building research cultures in sub-Saharan African universities: a six-nation study. Africa Journal of Management, 8(2), pp. 171-193. (doi: 10.1080/23322373.2022.2039050)

Wedekind, V., Russon, J.-A., Ramsarup, P., Monk, D., Metelerkamp, L. and McGrath, S. (2021) Conceptualising regional skills ecosystems: reflections on four African cases. International Journal of Training and Development, 25(4), pp. 347-362. (doi: 10.1111/ijtd.12251)

McGrath, S. and Deneulin, S. (2021) Education for just transitions: lifelong learning and the 30th anniversary Human Development Report. International Review of Education, 67(5), pp. 637-658. (doi: 10.1007/s11159-021-09914-w)

McGrath, S. , Thondhlana, J. and Garwe, E. (2021) Internationalisation of higher education and national development: the case of Zimbabwe. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 51(6), pp. 881-900. (doi: 10.1080/03057925.2019.1684241)

Alla-Mensah, J. and McGrath, S. (2021) A capability approach to understanding the role of informal apprenticeship in the human development of informal apprentices. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2021.1951332) (Early Online Publication)

Thondhlana, J., Abdulrahman, H., Garwe, E. C. and McGrath, S. (2021) Exploring the internationalization of Zimbabwe’s higher education institutions through a decolonial lens: postcolonial continuities and disruptions. Journal of Studies in International Education, 25(3), pp. 228-246. (doi: 10.1177/1028315320932319)

Avis, J., Atkins, L., Esmond, B. and McGrath, S. (2021) Re-conceptualising VET: responses to covid-19. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 73(1), pp. 1-23. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2020.1861068)

McGrath, S. , Ramsarup, P., Zeelen, J., Wedekind, V., Allais, S., Lotz-Sisitka, H., Monk, D., Openjuru, G. and Russon, J.-A. (2020) Vocational education and training for African development: a literature review. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 72(4), pp. 465-487. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2019.1679969)

O’Shea, J. and McGrath, S. (2019) Contemporary factors shaping the professional identity of occupational therapy lecturers. British Journal of Occupational Therapy, 82(3), pp. 186-194. (doi: 10.1177/0308022618796777)

Karlidag-Dennis, E., McGrath, S. and Stevenson, H. (2019) Educational policy-making and hegemony: monolithic voices from civil society. British Journal of Sociology of Education, 40(8), pp. 1138-1153. (doi: 10.1080/01425692.2019.1647091)

Crossley, M., Koya Vaka’uta, C. F., Lagi, R., McGrath, S. , Thaman, K. H. and Waqailiti, L. (2017) Quality education and the role of the teacher in Fiji: mobilising global and local values. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 47(6), pp. 872-890. (doi: 10.1080/03057925.2017.1338938)

Bader, L. R., McGrath, S. , Rouse, M. J. and Anderson, C. (2017) A conceptual framework toward identifying and analyzing challenges to the advancement of pharmacy. Research in Social and Administrative Pharmacy, 13(2), pp. 321-331. (doi: 10.1016/j.sapharm.2016.03.001)

McGrath, S. , Madziva, R. and Thondhlana, J. (2017) Rethinking the employability of international graduate migrants: reflections on the experiences of Zimbabweans with degrees from England. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 41(2), pp. 238-259. (doi: 10.1080/0309877X.2015.1062853)

McGrath, S. and Powell, L. (2016) Skills for sustainable development: transforming vocational education and training beyond 2015. International Journal of Educational Development, 50, pp. 12-19. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2016.05.006)

Ibhakewanlan, J.-O. and McGrath, S. (2015) Toward an African community-based research (ACBR) methodology. SAGE Open Medicine, 5(4), p. 2158244015613106. (doi: 10.1177/2158244015613106)

Kruss, G., McGrath, S. , Petersen, I.-h. and Gastrow, M. (2015) Higher education and economic development: the importance of building technological capabilities. International Journal of Educational Development, 43, pp. 22-31. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2015.04.011)

McGrath, S. (2014) Education and the post-2015 international development goals. International Journal of Educational Development, 39, pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2014.08.006)

McGrath, S. (2014) The post-2015 debate and the place of education in development thinking. International Journal of Educational Development, 39, pp. 4-11. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2014.05.002)

McGrath, S. (2013) Education and development: looking beyond 2015. International Journal of Educational Development, 33(2), p. 117. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.09.008)

McGrath, S. (2013) The weight and breadth of evidence: some reflections on the strengths of international education and development research. International Journal of Educational Development, 33(1), (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.07.005)

McGrath, S. (2012) Researching international education and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(6), pp. 709-710. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.05.003)

Lim, Z., Anderson, C. and McGrath, S. (2012) Professional skills development in a resource-poor setting: the case of pharmacy in Malawi. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 654-664. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.01.004)

McGrath, S. (2012) Building new approaches to thinking about vocational education and training and development: policy, theory and evidence. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 619-622. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.04.003)

McGrath, S. (2012) Vocational education and training for development: a policy in need of a theory? International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 623-631. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.12.001)

McGrath, S. and Lugg, R. (2012) Knowing and doing vocational education and training reform: evidence, learning and the policy process. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(5), pp. 696-708. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.02.004)

McGrath, S. (2012) Education, poverty and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(4), p. 493. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2012) The importance of educational alternatives. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(3), p. 367. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2012.01.006)

McGrath, S. (2012) Active agents: young people making social justice. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(2), pp. 205-206. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.10.005)

McGrath, S. (2012) The comparative advantage of international education: different places, different lenses, different voices. International Journal of Educational Development, 32(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.09.001)

McGrath, S. (2011) Journeying the long road to education for development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(5), pp. 417-418. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.05.001)

McGrath, S. (2011) Drawing together the complex strands of education and human development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(3), pp. 211-212. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2011.02.008)

McGrath, S. (2011) New actors and new modalities in education for development. International Journal of Educational Development, 31(2), pp. 97-98. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.10.002)

McGrath, S. (2010) Researching international education and development: IJED at thirty. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(6), pp. 535-536. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.07.001)

Colclough, C., King, K. and McGrath, S. (2010) The new politics of aid to education-Rhetoric and reality. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(5), pp. 451-452. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.03.009)

McGrath, S. (2010) Beyond aid effectiveness: The development of the South African further education and training college sector, 1994-2009. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(5), pp. 525-534. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.03.011)

McGrath, S. (2010) Educational quality and the importance of context and purpose. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(4), pp. 335-336. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2010) Points of transition: vantage points on the journey to universal educational participation. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(3), pp. 225-226. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2010.02.001)

McGrath, S. (2010) The role of education in development: an educationalist's response to some recent work in development economics. Comparative Education, 46(2), pp. 237-253. (doi: 10.1080/03050061003775553)

McGrath, S. (2010) Addressing educational inequality. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(2), pp. 119-120. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.11.002)

McGrath, S. (2010) The right to quality education. International Journal of Educational Development, 30(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.09.001)

McGrath, S. (2009) Discourse and context: National and international conceptions of education and development. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(6), pp. 547-549. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.07.002)

McGrath, S. (2009) Education and development: Making a difference. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(4), pp. 331-333. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.04.001)

McGrath, S. (2009) On the limits of best practice. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(3), pp. 185-186. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2009.03.001)

McGrath, S. and Akoojee, S. (2009) Vocational education and training for sustainability in South Africa: The role of public and private provision. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(2), pp. 149-156. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.09.008)

McGrath, S. (2009) Education at the margins. International Journal of Educational Development, 29(1), pp. 1-2. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.09.003)

McGrath, S. (2008) Education, culture and society: The complex dynamics of change. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(6), pp. 625-627. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.06.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Caught between different worlds: Teachers and educational change. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(5), pp. 493-495. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.04.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Education and development: Bringing the vulnerable back in. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(4), pp. 363-364. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.03.002)

McGrath, S. (2008) Education and development in diverse contexts. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(3), pp. 229-230. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2008.01.003)

McGrath, S. (2008) Educational change: Best practices and messy realities. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(2), pp. 115-117. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.12.001)

McGrath, S. (2008) Developing teachers and teaching. International Journal of Educational Development, 28(1), pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.11.001)

McGrath, S. (2007) Complexity, identity and educational change. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(6), pp. 597-598. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.09.003)

McGrath, S. (2007) Mediating between global theory and local practices. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(5), pp. 483-485. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.07.001)

King, K., McGrath, S. and Rose, P. (2007) Beyond the basics: Educating and training out of poverty. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(4), pp. 349-357. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2007.03.001)

McGrath, S. and Akoojee, S. (2007) Education and skills for development in South Africa: Reflections on the accelerated and shared growth initiative for South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(4), pp. 421-434. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.07.009)

McGrath, S. (2007) Editorial. International Journal of Educational Development, 27(1), pp. 1-3. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2006.10.006)

McGrath, S. and Badroodien, A. (2006) International influences on the evolution of skills development in South Africa. International Journal of Educational Development, 26(5), pp. 483-494. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2005.10.008)

McGrath, S. , Akoojee, S., Gewer, A., Mabizela, M., Mbele, N. and Roberts, J. (2006) An examination of the vocational education and training reform debate in Southern Africa. Compare: A Journal of Comparative and International Education, 36(1), pp. 85-103. (doi: 10.1080/03057920500382655)

McGrath, S. (2005) 'Skills for productive citizenship for all': The place of skills development for micro and small enterprises in South Africa. Journal of Education and Work, 18(1), pp. 111-125. (doi: 10.1080/1363908052000332339)

McGrath, S. and King, K. (2004) Knowledge-based aid: a four agency comparative study. International Journal of Educational Development, 24(2), pp. 167-181. (doi: 10.1016/j.ijedudev.2003.10.008)

King, K., McGrath, S. , Rogerson, C. and Visser, K. (2002) Learning-led competitiveness: a challenge South African development. Africa Insight, 32(4), pp. 28-35. (doi: 10.4314/ai.v32i4.22263)

McGrath, S. (2001) Research in a cold climate: towards a political economy of British international and comparative education. International Journal of Educational Development, 21(5), pp. 391-400. (doi: 10.1016/S0738-0593(00)00055-9)

Books

McGrath, S. , Openjuru, G. L., Lotz-Sisitka, H., Allais, S., Zeelen, J., Wedekind, V., Ramsarup, P., Monk, D., Metelerkamp, L., Russon, J.-A., Kyaligonja, B., Robbins, G., Adrupio, S., Ocan, D., Nyeko, K., Primo, A., Molebatsi, P., Tshabalala, T., Muhangi, S. and Openjuru, M. (2023) Transitioning Vocational Education and Training in Africa: A Social Skills Ecosystem Perspective. Series: Bristol studies in comparative and international education. Bristol University Press: Bristol. ISBN 9781529224634 (doi: 10.47674/9781529224658)

McGrath, S. (2018) Education and Development. Series: Routledge perspectives on development. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon ; New York, NY. ISBN 9781138211209 (doi: 10.4324/9781315453330)

King, K. and McGrath, S. (2002) Globalisation, Enterprise and Knowledge: education, training and development in Africa. Series: Monographs in international education. Symposium Books. ISBN 9781873927496 (doi: 10.15730/books.33)

McGrath, S. (1999) Enterprise in Africa: Between poverty and growth. Practical Action Publishing. ISBN 9781853394782 (doi: 10.3362/9781780440774)

Book Sections

McGrath, S. (2023) Education and development. In: Clarke, M. and Zhao, X. (A.) (eds.) Elgar Encyclopaedia of Development. Edward Elgar, pp. 214-219. ISBN 9781800372115

McGrath, S. (2022) Development and education. In: Tierney, R. J., Rizvi, F. and Erkican, K. (eds.) International Encyclopaedia of Education (Fourth Edition). Elsevier Science: Amsterdam, pp. 52-59. ISBN 9780128186299 (doi: 10.1016/B978-0-12-818630-5.01007-1)

Book Reviews

McGrath, S. (2022) Vocational education in the fourth industrial revolution by J. Avis, Palgrave Pivot, 2020. Journal of Vocational Education and Training, 74(2), pp. 352-354. (doi: 10.1080/13636820.2021.2018227)[Book Review]

McGrath, S. (2014) Education in small states: policies and priorities. Comparative Education, 50(4), pp. 509-510. (doi: 10.1080/03050068.2014.941175)[Book Review]

Edited Books

McGrath, S. and Gu, Q. (Eds.) (2015) Routledge Handbook of International Education and Development. Series: Routledge handbooks. Routledge: Abingdon, Oxon. ISBN 9780415747547

This list was generated on Wed May 1 23:38:31 2024 BST.

Grants

I have been PI or Co-I on projects worth c>£26m.

I am currently Co-I on a multi-million pound GCRF Network Plus Programme - Transforming Education for Sustianable Futures, where I lead the sustinable livelihoods dimension.

I am also a Co-I on a South African Department of Higher Education and Training reserach programme on vocational education and training.

Supervision

I am interested in supervising in the following areas:

  • skills for just transitions
  • education policies and human development
  • educational policies and sustainable development
  • learning for transformed professions
  • inclusive vocational education and training 
  • skills for rural development
  • learning in urban informal economies
  • Izham, Nur Afzan Binti
    KNOWLEDGE SHARING PRACTICES & INTERACTION PATTERNS AMONG ACADEMICIANS IN MALAYSIAN HIGHER EDUCATION INSTITUTIONS
  • Wei, Dichen
    Rethinking the Demand-side of Vocational Education and Training (VET) in China: From Practice to Theory

I have supervised 64 doctoral students to successful completion.

Main topic areas include:

  • skills for human development
  • African higher education
  • research cultures and systems
  • health professions education (esp. pharmacy, nursing, occupational therapy)
  • comparative education policies
  • political economy of skills

Teaching

I have taught at UG, PGT and PGR levels on lifelong learning, international education and development, and research methodologies.

In 2022/3 I will be leading the following Masters' modules:

  • International Issues in Adult Education (IMAESC)
  • Recognising Built Capacity and Impact Pathways (IMAESC)
  • Vocational Education and Training for Development (Ed Studies)

Professional activities & recognition

Prizes, awards & distinctions

  • 2015: Atlas Award (Elsevier)
  • 2016: Fellow (Academy of Social Sciences)
  • 2005: Fellow (Royal Society for the Advancement of the Arts, Manufactures and Commerce)

Editorial boards

  • 2013: Journal of Vocational Education and Training
  • 2018: Journal of Vocational Adult and Continuing Education and Training
  • 2005: International Journal of Educational Development

Professional & learned societies

  • 2015 - 2019: executive chair, United Kingdom Forum for International Education and Training

Simon McGrath profile pic