Biography

Scholar at Trinity Hall, Cambridge 1959-62, BA PhD Cambridge; Fulbright Scholar at University of Illinois, Chicago,1965-7.Professor of Education, University of Sussex, since 1986. Director of Institute for Continuing and Professional Education 1986-91. Professor Emeritus from 2006.

My best known book, Developing Professional Knowledge and Competence (1994) has now been considerably updated by recent publications (see below). These cover pre-qualification, early career and mid-career learning and range over 12 professions; and include substantial research projects funded by the ESRC and the Departmemts of Education, Health and Employment. I was founder editor of the Blackwells journal Learning in Health and Social Care, 2002-6. I have currrent consultancy work with the University of Surrey (enhancing learning on student placements), Australian National University (preparation for legal practice) and the Royal College of Surgeons (training of specialist registrars).

Role

My interests are in the nature of professional knowledge, the epistemology of practical knowledge; enhancement of informal learning, initial and continuing education of managers, professionals and technicians; the relationship between theory and practice; learning organizations; and learning trajectories in a wide range of contexts. I am currently engaged in disseminating the findings of the ESRC/TLRP funded project Early Career Learning at Work: Project LiNEA (Learning in Nursing, Engineering and Accountancy), and in preparing publications related to the above.

A few research students and contributions to the professional Doctorate Programme. A substantial programme of keynotes and seminars in 2007, across the UK and in Australia, Brasil, Denmark, and Norway.