Andrea Abbas

Professor Andrea Abbas is a sociologist of higher education at the University of Bath, Department of Education. She leads research projects including ERASMUS+ funded collaborations between European/Chinese universities and ESRC-funded studies on undergraduate pedagogy. Her work combines Basil Bernstein's sociological theory with critical realism and feminist analysis to examine power dynamics in educational systems.

• Current projects: Socially Just Knowledge Framework (2020-2025)
• Past projects: HEFCE-funded postgraduate support study (2015-2017)
• Contributing to UN Sustainable Development Goal 4: Quality Education

Her research explores:

• Transformative pedagogies addressing intersecting inequalities (class, gender, disability)
• Academic careers in neoliberal universities
• Critical analysis of teaching excellence frameworks
• Comparative curriculum development methods
• Global North-South research equity
• Student knowledge acquisition processes

Recent publications show focus areas in:

• International education collaboration models
• Gender equity in pedagogic practices
• Powerful knowledge theory
• Academic identity formation
• Crisis response in education systems
• Curriculum-driven inequality disruption

Scientific awards and grants include:

• ERASMUS+ Capacity Building in Higher Education
• Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC)
• Higher Education Academy funding
• Advance HE grants

Actively supervising doctoral students and collaborating on international research projects, Abbas maintains academic ties with institutions in China, Egypt, and across Europe while serving as external examiner at University of Nottingham.