Dr Kevin Smith, a Research Associate with WISERD Education Kevin Smith is excited to announce he has been offered a contract to write his first book.
He was approached by Palgrave Macmillan to write ‘Curriculum, Culture and Citizenship Education in Wales’ which will examine citizenship education in schools in Wales and the curricular complexities that emerge from this distinctive context.
“This is my first book, so although I’m excited, it’s also a daunting task,” said Kevin. “I have some early treatments of the chapters in the works and I have excellent support from my colleagues at WISERD and the editors at Palgrave Macmillan.”
Of primary concern in the book is how young people are prepared to participate as active citizens as their communities navigate the processes of continuing devolution and cultural conservation. Recommendations are made from research evidence that can illuminate discussions and spark debate about how to best enable and prepare young people to engage as active citizens both now and in the future.
Kevin has been a part of WISERD for the past two years as part of a three-year longitudinal study, following over 1,500 pupils from over 50 primary and secondary schools throughout Wales. His doctoral thesis was also concerned with education in Wales and was a critical discourse analysis of the guidance document for the Curriculum Cymreig.
He’s now looking forward to the opportunity of writing the book and highlighting the work that is being done by WISERD.
“I was surprised and excited [at being given the opportunity],” added Kevin, who before moving to Cardiff spent time working at the University of the South Pacific in Tonga.
“The editor who had approached me attended a conference presentation I gave at the BERA conference. After that presentation, he asked if I was interested in submitting a book proposal on citizenship education in Wales and using the evidence from my presentation.
“I was very excited to highlight the work we’ve been doing in WISERD and to hopefully raise the profile of discussions regarding citizenship, culture and curriculum in schools in Wales.”