Caine Rolleston

Professor Caine Rolleston is Professor of Education and International Development at University College London (UCL), based within the UCL Institute of Education’s Department of Education, Practice & Society. He directs the MA programme in Education Planning, Economics and International Development and supervises doctoral students working on education policy, economics, and development issues across Africa and Asia.

Education:

• PhD in Economics of Education, University of London (2011)
• MRes, University of London (2007)
• MA, University of London (2005)
• PGCE, University of London (1995)
• BA (Hons), University of Oxford (1994)

Research Interests:

Professor Rolleston’s research centres on the analysis of education systems in low- and middle-income countries. His work integrates applied economics, development studies, and education policy to investigate questions of educational access, equity, and quality. He employs large-scale longitudinal survey data alongside mixed-methods approaches to examine learning trajectories, skills metrics, and the impact of systemic reforms. Current funded projects include the ESRC-funded Critical Thinking in Higher Education in Africa, the DFID-funded Research on Improving Systems of Education (RISE) programme, and his role as Lead Education Researcher for the Young Lives international comparative study.

Scientific Awards & Recognition:

• Student Choice Award for Inspiring Teaching Delivery (2019–2020)

Advising & Grants:

Professor Rolleston has supervised numerous PhD and EdD students whose topics range from early childhood investments in Peru to language-of-instruction effects in Ethiopia and learner-centred pedagogies in India. He currently welcomes doctoral applications employing quantitative or mixed-methods designs in education and international development.

Professional Service & Leadership:

• Chair, Executive Committee, UK Education and Development Forum (UKFIET) (2019–2021)
• Member, SABER Education Systems Technical Advisory Board, The World Bank (2018–present)
• External Examiner, Education, Globalisation and International Development, University of Cambridge (2018–2021)
• Panel Member and Research Lead, ESRC “Raising Learning Outcomes in Education Systems” programme (2016)
• KIX+ Advisory Group Member, PAL Network (2020–present)

Labs & Teams:

While no single named laboratory is highlighted, Professor Rolleston leads and collaborates within the multi-institutional RISE and Young Lives research consortia, coordinating teams across Ethiopia, India, Vietnam, and other low- and middle-income countries to generate evidence for large-scale educational improvement.