Dr Jon Rainford

Professional biography

Jon is a Lecturer in Childhood and Youth Studies in the School of Education, Childhood, Youth and Sport (ECYS). He is a multidisciplinary social scientist with skills in both qualitative and quantitative research. Much of his work is in the field of Sociology of Education, and he is interested in issues around policy and practice. His teaching interests are mainly in Sociology, Childhood and Youth. He has been an Associate Lecturer at the Open University since 2018, teaching across various modules in Social Science and Health and Social Care. Prior to working for the Open University, Jon had a broad career in education, both in compulsory and higher education. He completed his PhD at Staffordshire University in 2019, focusing on widening participation policy and practice. He has written numerous publications on widening access to higher education. He also has a particular interest in the role creative methods can play in research and evaluation. His current research focuses on three key areas: HE transitions, neurodivergence and part-time doctoral study. 

Qualifications

PhD (2019, Staffordshire University)

MSc Psychology (conversion) [distinction] (2024, The Open University) 

MEd Education (2012, The Open University)

MA in Social Science (2011, The Open University)

BA (hons.) Open Degree [first class honours] (2010, The Open University) 

Senior Fellow, Higher Education Academy (2019)

Research interests

Jon's research interests span several areas related to education. His primary research focuses on the policy and practices related to widening participation. In recent years this has expanded to involve exploring the role of digital technologies in advancing the participation outreach work. More recently, he has been working on research projects exploring educational transitions, including those of neurodivergent students and of students into postgraduate study. He has also conducted research in relation to masculinities and part-time doctoral research. His methodological interests centre on the role of creative methods in qualitative research.

His work challenges assumptions, presumptions, and stereotypes of how individuals from marginalised experience education. It does so by adopting creative approaches that draw on relevant ideas, methods and theories that reach beyond traditional educational research. Finding ways for individuals to articulate and reflect upon their experiences in new ways whilst also providing space for those voices to be heard to different audiences is central to this work. Creativity is used not as a method but as a way of allowing ideas to surface that might not become visible in other ways. His distinct contribution is in making connections in different ways and thinking creatively about how to make sense of disparate ideas in ways that can challenge how things are done in practice to improve the experiences of marginalised groups.

Recent books

The business of widening participation: policy, practice and culture (co-edited with Colin McCaig and Ruth Squire)

Thriving in part-time doctoral study (co-written with Kay Guccione)

Funded Research projects

• 2024-25:  'FutureDiversity’: Preparing Neurodivergent Learners for Their Future Pathways [Funder: BERA/ Kusuma Trust] PI: Poppy Gibson 
• 2024-25:  Moving on up? Childhood and Youth undergraduate students’ perspectives of postgraduate study [Funder: PRAXIS, The Open University] Co-Investigator: Kate Oakley
• 2022:  All Access AUB Project Evaluation [Funder: Arts University Bournemouth]
• 2021:  Exploring the transitions of Neurodiverse Access students to level one study: Narratives of study skills and support [Funder:PRAXIS, The Open University] Co-Investigator: Dr Renu Bhandari)

Teaching interests

Current teaching responsibilities

• Module co-chair E320 - Contemporary research with children and young people
• Associate Lecturer on DD218- Understanding digital societies 
• Faculty Accessibility Co-ordinator
• ECYS Neurodiversity Cafe co-lead (with 2 MA students)

Module Production

• D328 - Principles of social research: sociology special project module (Critical reader)
• E320 - Contemporary research with children and young people (Module team member)
• DD218 - Understanding digital societies (Critical Reader)

Module Presentation

• KE322- Young lives, parenting and families (Associate lecturer)
• DD102- Introducing the social sciences (Associate lecturer)
• KE206 - Working together for children and young people  (Associate lecturer)
• Y032 - People, work and society access module (Associate lecturer)
• EK313-  Issues in research with children and young people (Lead cluster manager)
• E102 - Introduction to childhood studies and child psychology (Cluster manager)
• E808- Children and young people's worlds (MA in Childhood and Youth Stage 1 module) (Lead cluster manager)
• E809 - Frameworks for critical practice with children and young people (MA in Childhood and Youth Stage 2 module) (Lead cluster manager)
• E219 - Psychology of childhood and youth (cluster manager)

Current Research Students

• Hilly Davies- Understanding the psychology of plagiarsm to edify pedagogical practices that supprot academic integrity (EdD)

Jon is also an experienced Mentor for HEA fellowship candidates.

Impact and engagement

Jon co leads the Thriving Part-time blog with Kay Guccione

Outside of the Open University, he plays an active role in the Widening Access to higher education community as a freelance evaluator, researcher and training facilitator.

External collaborations

• Member of British Sociological Association
• Member of Society of Research in Higher Education
• Graduate member British Psychological Society (GMBPSS)
• Co-convenor for British Sociological Association Sociology of Education Study Group
• NERUPI Academic Advisory Board
• Editorial Board member for Widening Participation and Lifelong Learning journal
• Editor of Emeralds' Studies in Sociology of Education book series