Evaluation Team

Dr Alf Coles

  • Evaluation Team Member
  • Email:
  • Telephone: +44 (0) 117 33 14168
  • Senior Lecturer in Education

Alf Coles came to the University of Bristol after fifteen years' experience in secondary schools teaching mathematics, running a maths department and latterly as an assistant headteacher.  His PhD study was centred around the role of discussion both in learning mathematics, and amongst teachers learning to teach mathematics via discussion of video recordings of lessons.

Alf recently completed a project in five primary schools, funded by The Rayne Foundation. This project was a collaboration with the charity "5x5x5=creativity" and focused on tackling underachievement in primary mathematics through creativity.  This work has generated a lot of interest in the local area and he is currently applying for further funding.
Alf has previously been involved in research projects funded by the Economic and Social Research Council, the Teacher Development Agency, the National Council for Excellence in Teaching Mathematics and BECTA.  Find resources created as a result of the BECTA exploration space grant.

Alf teaches on the Graduate School's Post Graduate Certificate of Education course for secondary mathematics, masters' programme and supervises doctoral students. Some of Alf's recent publications include a book: 'Being alongside: for the teaching and learning of mathematics' (Sense Publishers) and contributions to: 'Teaching Secondary Mathematics as if the Planet Matters' (Routledge).