Personal profile
Biography
Dr Ian Shirley is a senior lecturer, specialising in Primary Music education in the Department of Primary and Childhood Education, at Edge Hill University, where he has worked since 2008. Ian holds a B.Ed degree in Primary Education, specialising in Music and an MA (Sheffield) in Psychology for Musicians. In 2017, Ian completed an Ed.D (Sheffield) exploring the discursive constitution of contemporary music education policy, and the lived experience of music education policy enactors.
Along with Anna Mariguddi, Ian co-leads the research strand for Initial Teacher Training and Professional Development. In addition, he is the programme leader iQTS which launches in 2026 and the department lead on academic integrity. Ian is one of the faculty Designated Safeguarding Officers
Research interests
Ian's research interests include music education and creativity across the curriculum. He is interested in critical discourse analysis and discursive constitution of educational policy. He is also keen to explore collaboartive research methodologies and teacher life-history research.
Teaching
Ian is a university Teaching and Learning Fellow at Edge Hill University. He has extensive experience in teaching Primary Music, as well as contemporary issues and eductional research modules.
Public/media engagement
Ian is a board member of the non-profit Music Education organisation, Orff UK where he leads on publications and informal online events for society members.
Ian is piano accompanist to the Wigan Community Choir.
Education/Academic qualification
Social Sciences, EdD, Illuminating the Manuscript: Policy Archaeology of English Music Education, University of Sheffield
Award Date: 11 Jan 2018
Psychology for Musicians, MA, Psychology for Musicians, University of Sheffield
Award Date: 31 Oct 2003
Education, Other, B.Ed (Hons) Primary Educaiton with Music, King Alfred's College
Award Date: 25 Nov 1989
Other positions
External Examiner (PGCE; Undergraduate ITE - Music Specialism), Roehampton University
2018 → 2022
External Examiner (BA primary Education - Music specialism; broad Curriculum), University of Plymouth
2018 → 2014
External Examiner, University College London
2011 → 2015
External Examiner, University of Exeter
2007 → 2011
Fingerprint
- 1 Similar Profiles
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Exploring the potential of informal music learning in a perceived age of pedagogical traditionalism for student teachers in primary music education.
MARIGUDDI, A. & Shirley, I., 11 Dec 2023, In: British Journal of Music Education. 41, 2, p. 224-237 14 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)58 Downloads (Pure) -
Pushing the pedagogical boundaries through collaborative research
Shirley, I. & MARIGUDDI, A., 5 Sept 2023, 1 p. Edge Hill University.Research output: Other contribution › Blog
Open Access -
History of Education
Shirley, I. & SHAW, S., 31 Jan 2022, Professional Studies in Primary Education. Cooper, H. & Elton-Chalcraft, S. (eds.). 4th ed. London: Sage, p. 3-31 28 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Collaborative research as community learning in a Higher Education context, or “What would Rod Stewart do?”
WOOLHOUSE, C., ALBIN-CLARK, J., Shirley, I. & Webster, M., 3 Mar 2020, In: Studies in Higher Education. 45, 3, p. 477-491 15 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article (journal) › peer-review
Open AccessFile14 Link opens in a new tab Citations (Scopus)75 Downloads (Pure) -
Music
Shirley, I., 2019, Understanding subject knowledge for music. Deborah, P. (ed.). London: Learning Matters, p. 80 94 p.Research output: Chapter in Book/Report/Conference proceeding › Chapter
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Exploring the culture and value of music education in primary schools
MARIGUDDI, A. (PI) & Shirley, I. (CoI)
16/03/26 → 16/12/26
Project: Research
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Use of pre-packaged digital resources in primary music education
Shirley, I. (PI) & MARIGUDDI, A. (PI)
1/09/25 → 30/01/26
Project: Research
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Exploring the potential of music education pedagogies for student teachers in primary music education - reflections upon research collaboration
Shirley, I. (PI), MARIGUDDI, A. (CoI) & Albin-Clark, J. (CoI)
2/12/24 → 31/01/25
Project: Research
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Exploring the potential of informal music learning for student teachers in an age of pedagogical traditionalism in primary music education
MARIGUDDI, A. (PI) & Shirley, I. (CoI)
3/01/22 → 31/08/23
Project: Research
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Illuminating the Manuscript: A Policy Archaeology of English Primary Music Education
Shirley, I. (PI)
1/09/09 → 27/08/17
Project: Doctoral
Activities
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Orff Times (Journal)
Shirley, I. (Editor)
31 Mar 2025Activity: Peer-review & editorial work › Editorial work
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Super-charged cheating, or little angels: How can we help students to have academic integrity?
HAWKINS, C. (Speaker) & Shirley, I. (Speaker)
18 Jun 2025Activity: Dissemination › Oral presentation
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How did we get here? A life-history examination of two music education researchers and their perspectives on collaborative research
Shirley, I. (Speaker), MARIGUDDI, A. (Speaker) & Albin-Clark, J. (Speaker)
17 Jul 2025Activity: Dissemination › Oral presentation
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Orff Times (Journal)
Shirley, I. (Reviewer)
30 Jun 2025Activity: Peer-review & editorial work › Editorial work
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IDI Research Network Think Tank meeting
MARIGUDDI, A. (Organiser) & Shirley, I. (Participant)
8 May 2024Activity: Events › Organising a conference, workshop, etc.