Personal profile
Biography
I am Associate Pro-Vice Chancellor for International and Educational Partnerships in the Faculty of Health and Wellbeing, Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) and an internationally recognised figure in the field of Teacher Education (Education).
I lead professional development for teachers nationally and internationally by designing innovative curricula and delivery models via stakeholder co-production with serving teachers and headteachers. Through service on the Universities’ Council for the Education of Teachers’ (UCET) Executive and CPD Committees, I have influenced policy and practice via the Department for Education, including in areas such as the development of the Master of Teaching and Learning (MTL). I have secured £2.3m in external CPD income to establish a number of learning hubs via university and school consortia in the UK as well as international programmes, such as in provinces of China. I am regularly invited to speak internationally on this work. I have a growing body of research in the field of inclusive education, which involves national and international collaborations with Australia, Germany, and Romania.
I have made significant theoretical and pedagogical contributions to my discipline of teacher education through my pioneering ‘pupil voice’ pedagogical paradigm and strategic leadership of the Inclusive Education Research group. My creation of the Pupil Voice research programme has impacted policy and practice in areas such as Physical Education.
I am always keen to collaborate with colleagues within and outside Higher Education to advance excellence in teaching and to support research on this topic, including via doctoral study.
Education/Academic qualification
Education, PhD, Pupil Voice in PE and the desire for (in)visibility, Northumbria University
1 May 2015 → 22 May 2021
Award Date: 25 Oct 2021
Education, MA (Hons), Adult Education and Learning, Durham University
1 Sept 1991 → 1 Sept 1994
Award Date: 8 Sept 1994
Physics, BSc (Hons)
1 Sept 1986 → 31 Dec 2099
Award Date: 1 Sept 1986
External positions
External Examiner, Queen Margaret University
2023 → …
External Examiner, St Mary's University, Twickenham
2017 → 2022
Universities Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET)
2001 → …
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 4 Quality Education
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SDG 10 Reduced Inequalities
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SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Exploratory analysis of inter-connected factors related to secondary school absenteeism: Caregivers’ perspectives
Carrick, A., Chen, R., Littlefair, D., Friedman, S., Mulholland, K., Hudson, K., Graham, P., Graham, P., Davies, C., Barker, L. & Cordier, R., 1 Jan 2026, In: International Journal of Educational Research. 136, 16 p., 102901.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Downloads (Pure) -
Reliability and affordability: understanding the reasons for UK voters’ support for nationalisation and public control
Littlefair, D., Stark, G., Johnson, S. B., Atkinson, J., Reed, H., Johnson, E. & Johnson, M., 1 Mar 2026, In: Transport Policy. 176, 11 p., 103921.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Citations (Scopus)1 Downloads (Pure) -
The construct components of self-regulation from a systematic review of self-regulation measures in children and adolescents
Janicaud, N., Chen, Y. W. R., McAuliffe, T., So, J., Wilkes-Gillan, S., Littlefair, D., Graham, P. & Cordier, R., 1 Mar 2026, In: Current Psychology. 45, 5, 14 p., 497.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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UK resident preferences on tax reform: survey-based evidence suggests support for progressive change in the run up to the 2024 General Election
Johnson, E. A., Stark, G., Moseley, L., Littlefair, D., Atkinson, J., Johnson, M. & Reed, H., 18 Feb 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Journal of Social Policy. p. 1-21 21 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile4 Downloads (Pure) -
What do residents want from a North East Combined Authority transport policy? Evidence from conjoint experimental and adversarially co-produced narrative survey data
Thew, A., Littlefair, D., Stark, G., Reed, H., Johnson, M. T. & Johnson, E. A., 13 Apr 2026, (E-pub ahead of print) In: Local Economy. p. 1-26 26 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile
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IPDA Conference
Littlefair, D. (Keynote speaker)
11 Oct 2025Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
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BERA Annual Conference 2023
Littlefair, D. (Participant)
2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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UCET Annual Conference 2023 Leeds
Littlefair, D. (Participant)
2023Activity: Participating in or organising an event › Participating in a conference, workshop, ...
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Projects
- 1 Finished
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Adapting And Refining a School Participation and Connectedness Intervention for Autistic Children in UK Schools
Cordier, R. (CoI), Graham, P. (CoI) & Littlefair, D. (PI)
3/01/23 → 31/07/23
Project: Other
Thesis
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Pupil Voice in PE and the desire for (in)visibility
Littlefair, D. (Author), Kelly, N. (Supervisor) & Jopling, M. (Supervisor), 21 May 2021Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis
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