Research is seen as at the heart of academic and professional development, informing the curriculum and its development and with research methodology as a central dimension in the approach to teaching and learning. Most academic members of the department are or have served as external examiners to research orientated programmes in institutions across the UK.

Research in the Department of Professional Development takes a wide range of forms from the developmentally orientated action, development and evaluation, through to scholarly and academic research generated for publication in refereed research journals. A number of colleagues are also involved in the writing of books which include discussion of practical and management issues as well as original conceptual and theoretical analysis. The view of the department is that there is a continuation between the more practical developmental and theoretical academic work, that both demand intellectual rigour and critical and creative insights. Most of the developmental projects attract significant levels of funding from a variety of sources including the DfES, NAS/UWT, TDA and LAs. Most academic members of the department present papers at national and international conferences at least once a year.

All members of academic staff hold Masters degrees, five hold Doctorates and five are registered on doctoral programmes. Research constitutes a key component within all teaching in the department. Insofar as research is integral to masters level work, most colleagues are engaged in teaching research methods and supporting research projects. There are some dedicated research support courses at Masters and Doctoral levels and some colleagues support cross faculty research training for both the Faculty of Education and the Graduate School. Members of the Professional Development Department are also engaged in supervising candidates registered on research degree programmes (M.Phil/Ph.D.).

The Doctorate in Education programme is based in the Department of Professional Development. This research doctorate runs part time over a period of five years and attracts professional educators from within the institution across the faculties, as well as others from a range of professional contexts beyond.