Peter Gates
Associate Professor, Faculty of Social Sciences
Contact
Biography
I joined the University of Nottingham in 1993, having spent time as Lecturer at both the University of Bath and the Open University. Before that I was a mathematics teacher, and advisor in Moçambique. I graduated in Mathematics from Manchester with a BSc and MSc in Applied Statistical Analysis and Random Processes, and obtained an MA in Education from the Open University in 1989 and PhD from Nottingham in 2000 titled "A study of the structure of the professional orientation of two teachers of Mathematics: A sociological approach".
I am an Associate Professor in Education and a member of the Centre for Research in Mathematics Education. Although I have a mathematical background I have gravitated to become a sociologist of education with a particular interest in equity and social justice.
I teach on the MA in Educational Research Methods, the MA in Learning and Teaching and supervise research students on PhD, MPhil, MRes, EdD courses.
For many years I taught on the PGCE course for mathematics teachers and have edited a book for new mathematics teachers titled Issues in Mathematics Teaching published by RoutledgeFalmer.
Along with Tony Cotton, I was the founder of the Mathematics Education and Society (MES) group which organises biennial international conferences - Nottingham 1998, Portugal 1999, Denmark 2002, Australia 2005, Portugal 2008.
I am also the list administrator for three e-mail discussion lists: mathematics-education - which links around 500 maths educators from across the world mes-conf - which links those interested in the Mathematics Education and Society Conference pme-mail - which provides a forum for member of PME
Having said all that of course my main interests in life are my family, Jane Hart, Sophie (b. 1994) and Megan (b 1998) who keep me sane and drive me mad.
Research Summary
I supervise a large number of research students in the areas of social justice and education, child labour, mathematics teacher development, mathematics education and social class.
My research interests are related to equity, justice and social class issues in education and development. In particular I am interested in working in:
School to work transitionsMathematics Education and social justiceSociology of learning mathematics in schoolInformation technology and social class in schoolsClassroom practices and teacher ideologyMathematics education and social exclusionCritical social research methodsSocial class influences on pupil learning of mathematicsParental involvement and exclusion in schoolsPupil grouping in school mathematics and the influence of social class
I also act as a supervisor for research students working for MPhil and PhD degrees in these areas and am happy to discuss possible projects with prospective students.
Because I feel research has both an illuminative and an emancipatory capacity much of my work is located in and around issues of social class and equity in Nottingham. I currently mange several research projects:
<Young Participation in Higher Education in the Parliamentary Constituency of Nottingham North>
<Understanding Teenage Pregnancy in Nottingham City>
<The influence of location of provision and recruitment to FE courses in Nottingham>
I also manage an <international directory of mathematics education researchers>.
Recent Publications
JORGENSEN, R., GATES, P. and ROPER, V., 2013. Structural Exclusion through School Mathematics: Using Bourdieu to Understand Mathematics a Social Practice Educational Studies in Mathematics. (In Press.)
FERGUSON, H. and GATES, P., 2013. Early intervention and holistic, relationship-based practice with fathers:
Evidence from the work of the Family Nurse Partnership Child & Family Social Work. (In Press.)