Dr Gale Macleod is an expert in educational practices, examining the obstacles that prevent young people from engaging in learning. Her academic career began at Oxford University, where she gained BA (Hons) in Philosophy and Theology before entering therapeutic work and teaching, a field that has become the primary focus of Dr Macleod’s scholastic discipline and pedagogy.

Dr Macleod has an extensive background in care and teaching, working with young people described as having social, emotional and behavioural difficulties (SEBD). She took up a post as lecturer in primary education and SEBD at Edinburgh University in 2004, before going on to gain her Masters in Education (MEd), Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE), Postgraduate Diploma SEN Specific Learning Difficulties (PGDSpLD) and PhD.

Her undergraduate teaching focuses on the application of a range of theoretical perspectives to promote understanding of disaffected and disruptive behaviour in schools.

Her research centres on social, emotional and behavioural difficulties, multi-disciplinary approaches to understanding disruptive behaviour, school disaffection, philosophy and educational research. She supervises PhD students on subjects relating to her primary research areas and has contributed to a significant number of publications on education.

Dr Shamim Miah is a senior lecturer at the School of Education, University of Huddersfield. He is the author of two books: Muslims, Schooling and the Question of Self-Segregation (Palgrave, 2015) and Muslims, Schooling and Security: ‘Trojan Horse’, Prevent and Racialised Politics (Palgrave,2017).Shamim’s book ‘Muslims, Schooling and the Question of Self-Segregation’ was nominated for the British Sociological Association’s Philip Abrams Memorial Prize. This book also received the ‘highly commended’ book award by the Society for Educational Studies’ in 2016.

Shamim’s research is concerned with the framing of race and religion in public policy. His research interests draws upon both empirical and theoretical approaches to the study of public policy. Shamim has contributed towards chapters in books, reports and various peer reviewed journals, including articles for: Journal of Race and Class, Identity Papers: Journal of British and Irish Studies and the International Studies for Sociology of Education. Until recently he was the co-convenor (Race and Ethnicity) for BERA (British Educational Research Association). Shamim is also a research-fellow for The Centre for Postnormal Policy and Futures Studies (CPPFS).

Entrepreneur Jay Allen is an award winning author, motivational speaker and business coach. His diverse experience ranges from roles in the military, public sector and retail to charitable and business involvements. Latterly he has founded ethical coaching company – My TrueNORTH through which he and his team provide support and guidance to business owners, SMEs and start-ups.

His motivational book Battlefield2Boardroom – 10 Proven Military Strategies to Combat Mediocrity draws on his 12 years’ experience in the British Army as a Combat Medical Technician and shares with the reader ten key strategies to success.
Since leaving the Armed Forces, Jay has worked in a consultancy and advisory capacity with a number of high street chains, bought and significantly grown an existing business, established two more businesses, sat on the board of a national government advisory board and been appointed a Regional Ambassador for a registered Armed Forces Charity. He values the role education has played in his life enabling his success and has followed up studies in social sciences and social care with a Bachelor of Education (BEd) certificate in Adult and Continuing Education and Teaching as well as gaining a Diploma in Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP) from University of Durham. His education reflects his continuing commitment to mental health; most exemplified by his position as Regional Ambassador for the UK registered charity Combat Stress, which supports ex-servicemen and their families coping with mental health conditions including PTSD, depression and anxiety. He has won a number of awards for his work and continues to offer his services as a business success coach and keynote speaker, working with business owners across the UK on a one-to-one or group basis to help them create successful and sustainable businesses. Jay’s second book The Road to Utopia is due to be published in December 2016.

John Dalziel is the Deputy Principal (External Relations) of The Oldham Hulme Grammar school. John has been nominated for Pride in Oldham Awards on three occasions twice in 2010, for work with trainee teachers in Oldham, and for the ANEW project which took young people from a variety of backgrounds on a life changing expedition to Ecuador, and again in 2013 for his work with the Seventh Day Adventist Junior High School in Kwahu-Tafo, Ghana.

A National Leader of Governance with the National College for Teaching and Leadership, John is also Chair of Governors of St Michael’s Primary School in Middleton and Webster Primary Academy in Moss Side, and a trustee of the REAL educational trust. John is a graduate of the University of London and, as a Senior Associate Tutor with the University of Manchester, helps to train the next generation of teachers. Oldham Hulme Grammar School has partner schools around the world, and, last year, John was appointed Chief of Education and Finance of Kwahu-Tafo, Ghana.