Mark Innes

Mark Innes is a Lecturer in Education Leadership at the Manchester Institute of Education (MIE) and Associate Director for Research Ethics in the School of Environment, Education and Development (SEED) at the University of Manchester. His research focuses on education leadership, policy, and teacher professional development, with a particular emphasis on multi-academy trusts (MATs) and the micro-politics of policy enactment. He is affiliated with the Critical Education Leadership and Policy (CELP) and Teacher Education and Professional Learning (TEPL) research groups within MIE.

His doctoral thesis, The Micro-Politics of Policy Enactment in a Multi-Academy Trust, explored how school leaders develop policies within MATs, yielding eight peer-reviewed publications. Current research includes a 2025 project reimagining leadership and teacher development in schools and MATs, analyzing National Professional Qualifications (NPQs), and advocating for equitable educational policies. He critiques the marketization of teacher development and its impact on professional autonomy.

In external roles, Innes serves as Convener of the Organisational Reform research interest group at BELMAS, highlighting privatization in state education. He is an Editorial Board Member for the International Studies in the Sociology of Education and has reviewed for journals like the Oxford Review of Education and British Journal of Educational Studies. Past roles include external examining and panel membership for multiple universities, alongside consultancy in learning technology and leadership development.

Innes actively engages with professional organizations, presenting at BERA and BELMAS conferences and contributing blogs. His work aligns with UN SDG 4 (Quality Education) by addressing systemic inequities and advocating for public accountability in education.