Organisation profile
Organisation profile
The Mathematics Education Research Network provides a unifying grouping for members of the SoE who work in the area of mathematics education. MERN connects diverse research within mathematics education, with a common focus on learning. The network supports teaching in mathematics education, including highly rated courses for PGCE and MEd as well as doctoral students.
Impact and audiences
Members of MERN sit on policy and advice committees and impact policy making in the UK. The work of members of MERN has an audience both internationally and in the UK amongst academics and professionals.
Research methodologies and questions
We work collaboratively in different groupings both within the SoE, in the local community of schools, nationally and internationally. Research methodologies used within the network include enactivism and cultural, historical activity theory.
Areas of research interest include new technologies, teacher development, creativity and classroom cultures. A unifying perspective on our various activities is the shared aim of linking research and practice.
Fingerprint
Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Profiles
-
Professor Alf T Coles
- Centre for Higher Education Transformations
- School of Education - Professor of Mathematics Education
- Educational Futures Network
- Centre for Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
- Cabot Institute for the Environment
- Mathematics Education Research Network (MERN)
Person: Academic , Member, Group lead
-
Dr Sarah M Eagle
- Centre for Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
- School of Education - Lecturer
- Mathematics Education Research Network (MERN)
Person: Academic , Member
-
Dr Tracy Helliwell
- School of Education - Associate Professor
- Educational Futures Network
- Centre for Teaching, Learning and Curriculum
- Mathematics Education Research Network (MERN)
Person: Academic , Member
Research output
-
Coherence in representations, actions and metaphors
Ahn, A., Palmas, S., Coles, A. T. & Helliwell, T., 30 Mar 2026, In: For the Learning of Mathematics. 46, 1, p. 43-48 6 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (Academic Journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile -
Developing specialised ways of seeing as mathematics teacher educators
Helliwell, T., Brown, L. & Coles, A., 14 Apr 2026, Mathematics Teacher Educator Expertise: Experiences, Conceptions, Learning and Development. Helliwell, T., Chorney, S. & Chapman, O. (eds.). 1 ed. Springer, p. 129-153 25 p. (Research in Mathematics Education).Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter in a book
-
Emerging and potential methodologies in research on mathematics-related teacher identity
Lutovac, S., Ebbelind, A. & Helliwell, T., 31 Jan 2026, (Accepted/In press) Teacher identity development: Expanding conceptualizations to account for changing and challenging contexts. Schutz, P., Cross Francis, D. & Hong, J. (eds.). SpringerResearch output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter in a book
-
Understanding expertise in the mathematics classroom
Helliwell, T. (Principal Investigator)
3/06/24 → …
Project: Research
-
CJERN: Climate Justice Education Research Network
Hennessy, L. J. (Researcher), Helliwell, T. (Principal Investigator), Oldfield, A. M. (Co-Investigator), Wilder, R. (Co-Investigator), Sprague, T. (Co-Investigator), Barrance, R. (Co-Investigator), Muddiman, E. (Co-Investigator) & Hetherington, L. (Co-Investigator)
1/09/23 → 31/05/24
Project: Research
-
RPME: Romania Primary Mathematics Study
Coles, A. T. (Principal Investigator)
2/01/23 → 29/12/23
Project: Consultancy
Student theses
-
An action research investigation into the implementation of the New National Curriculum (2014) in mathematics, in one primary school in the South West of England, and the changes and effects it provokes on children’s learning, with a focus on the operation of division.
Hardwidge, R. E. (Author), Brown, L. (Supervisor) & Coles, A. (Supervisor), 28 Sept 2021Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
File -
An Enactivist Study into the Practices of a Facilitator in Synchronous Online Professional Development of Teachers of Mathematics
Bissell, A. R. (Author), Coles, A. T. (Supervisor), Helliwell, T. (Supervisor) & Brown, L. C. (Supervisor), 4 Feb 2025Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
File -
An Integrated Approach to Measuring Working Memory and Inhibition and Their Relationship with Number Knowledge: Longitudinal Evidence from Children Aged 3 to 7 Years
Li, K. (Author), Jarrold, C. (Supervisor) & Coles, A. T. (Supervisor), 13 May 2025Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
File
Prizes
-
Inspire Future Generations Award
Coles, A. T. (Recipient), 28 Nov 2022
Prize: Prizes, Medals, Awards and Grants
Activities
-
For the Learning of Mathematics (Journal)
Helliwell, T. (Editor)
1 Jan 2025 → …Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Editorial activity
-
Signe Kastberg
Helliwell, T. (Host)
28 Oct 2024 → 24 Nov 2024Activity: Hosting a visitor types › Hosting an academic visitor
-
Sean Chorney
Helliwell, T. (Host)
4 Mar 2024 → 25 Mar 2024Activity: Hosting a visitor types › Hosting an academic visitor