Sophina Choudry

Sophina Choudry is a Senior Lecturer at the Manchester Institute of Education, University of Manchester, and currently serves as Programme Director for the BSc Education Programme. She leads a team of over 30 staff and oversees approximately 300 students. Choudry holds a Doctor of Education from the University of Manchester (2016), focusing on intersections of ethnicity, gender, and social class in mathematics education. Her work is informed by a background in mathematics teaching and a commitment to addressing educational inequality through socio-cultural theories like Bourdieu’s capital theory and Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT).

Her research interests center on empowering marginalized students through critical pedagogy, analyzing policies and peer group dynamics in classrooms, and advancing mixed-method approaches (e.g., multilevel modeling, network analysis). She pioneered projects such as the PACCT Action Project in Rochdale and co-led initiatives addressing pandemic-related needs in ethnic minority communities. Choudry’s leadership extends to roles in university committees, including the Manchester Institute of Education Forum, and external roles like Statistical Analysis Plan reviewer for the Education Endowment Foundation.

• Education:
  • Doctor of Education, University of Manchester (2016)
  • MSc Educational Research, University of Manchester (2010)
  • PGCE Secondary Mathematics, University of Manchester (2014)
  • BSc Mathematics, Manchester Metropolitan University (2009)

Her research emphasizes socio-cultural capital, inequality in mathematics education, and transformative teaching practices. She has authored over 40 publications and secured prestigious awards, including the BERA Doctoral Thesis Award (2017) and a Presidential Academic Fellowship (2018).

• Teaching: Courses include the Sociology of Education (UGT), Teaching and Learning Mathematics (UGT), and Social Theories of Learning (PGT).
• Grants/Projects: Includes the CCoAct project on collective community action, Greater Manchester Higher outreach, and Spencer Foundation-funded CHAT collaborations.
• Labs/Teams: Collaborates internationally on CHAT regeneration and leads reading groups like the Bourdieu and CHAT Groups.