Fiona Cullen

Dr Fiona Cullen is a Senior Lecturer in Education Studies at St Mary’s University, serving as joint Programme Director for BA Education Studies and MA Education, Culture & Society. She holds a PhD in Education from Goldsmiths College (2007) and has dual expertise in youth work practice and sociological research. Her career includes teaching roles at Brunel University (2008-2016), Goldsmiths, and University College London, focusing on youth policy, qualitative research methods, and social justice in education.

Research Expertise: Fiona’s work centers on gender, youth cultures, and educational interventions. Key areas include substance use among youth, gender-related violence prevention, girlhood studies, and participatory research methodologies. She co-edited The SAGE Handbook of Youth Work Practice (2018) and led the EU-funded GAP WORK project (2013-15) tackling gender-based violence training.

Awards & Engagement:

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (2011)
• Editorial roles for Women's Studies International Forum and Pedagogy, Culture & Society
• Co-convenor of BERA Sexualities Special Interest Group
• External examiner for multiple UK universities

Teaching & Supervision: Fiona supervises PhD students exploring youth cultures, street identities, and gendered violence. She pioneered courses on youth policy, children’s rights, and qualitative research methods across undergraduate and postgraduate programs.