Gillian Hampden-Thompson

Dr Gillian Hampden-Thompson is a Professor of Education and Principal of Josephine Butler College at Durham University. She holds a PhD in Educational Theory and Policy from Pennsylvania State University (2004). Previously, she served as Head of the School of Education and Social Work at the University of Sussex (2014-2023) and Director of Research at the University of York’s Department of Education (2008-2014). Her research focuses on social justice in education, employing methods like secondary data analysis and evaluation research. Key projects include the national evaluation of A Better Start and studies on citizenship education, family structure impacts, and educational equity. She maintains a visiting professorship at the University of Sussex and has led numerous cross-national studies. Her work bridges policy, practice, and academic inquiry to address systemic educational challenges.

• PhD: Pennsylvania State University (2004)
• Visiting Professor: University of Sussex
• Leadership Roles: Head of School (Sussex), Director of Research (York)

Research interests include educational policy, family dynamics’ impact on achievement, citizenship education, and cross-national comparative studies. She has contributed to over 50 peer-reviewed publications and led high-impact evaluations for organizations like UNRWA and the Department for Education. Current projects emphasize equitable access to education and policy-driven interventions.