Lisa Murtagh

Lisa Murtagh is a Professor of Education and Head of the Manchester Institute of Education at the University of Manchester. She has held leadership roles including Director of Partnerships and Teacher Inquiry (2014–present), Head of Initial Teacher Education (since 2017), and previously led School Direct programs at Edge Hill University. Her academic journey includes a BA (Hons) in Education from Lancaster University, an M.Ed from Newcastle University, and a PhD in Education focused on formative assessment practices.

Her research focuses on formative assessment, initial teacher education (ITE), mentorship roles, and the impact of educational policies. She actively critiques England’s prescriptive ITE frameworks and advocates for inclusive practices. Key contributions include studies on early career teacher mentoring, virtual communities of practice, and the challenges faced by student-parents in higher education.

Awards include recognition for her contributions to education through the University of Manchester’s Making A Difference Awards (2017–2019) and a Covid Recognition Award (2021). She chairs national education networks like the NW4 ITT and serves on the Universities Council for the Education of Teachers (UCET). Her work addresses UN Sustainable Development Goals related to quality education.