Ian Abbott

Ian joined WIE in 1991 and became Director of the Institute in September 2011. He has been involved in a number of policy initiatives and has had responsibility for managing international projects relating to leadership, the development of Business and Enterprise education and the reform of vocational education systems in a number of countries.

He has worked with senior government staff and with managers and teachers from schools and colleges. This has involved the provision of support for senior and middle managers, the establishment of networks, the production of materials and the training of staff.

Ian has a particular interest in 14-19 education and training and the development of vocational programmes and he has participated in consultancy and development work in this area in schools and colleges in a number of countries. He has been involved in initial teacher education for a number of years and he has developed a range of postgraduate training programmes for secondary teachers.

Currently his main research interests relate to government policy and the development of leadership and governance in new types of school.