Siân Sarwar

​ ​ ​ ​ ​ ​Position:​Lecturer in Early Childhood Studies
​School:​ Cardiff School of Education and Social Policy
​E-mail: ssarwar@cardiffmet.ac.uk  
​ Telephone:​029 2020 5599
​Room No:​Q014a

 

Research

Research Groups:
• Education and Social Research Group (ESRG)

Memberships:
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• British Educational Research Association (BERA)

Research Interests:
• Learner Voice
• Music Education
• ICT in Education
• Grounded Theory
• Language Acquisition in the Early Years 

Publications

Peer-refereed Journals:
EVANS, S., BEAUCHAMP, G. and JOHN, V. (in press) 'Learners' experience and perceptions​ of informal learning in Key Stage 3 music lessons: a collective case study, exploring the implementation of Musical Futures in three secondary schools in Wales', Music Education Research.

Book Chapters:
Beauchamp, G., Haughton, C., Ellis, C., SARWAR, S., Tyrie, J. Adams, D and Dumitrescu, S. (2019) Ethical considerations in using innovative methods in early education research, in, Brown, Z. and Perkins, H. (ed.) Using Innovative Methods in Early Years Research. London: Routledge


Conference Papers:
POOLE, N. and ​EVANS, S. (2014) 'Employability and Skills Enhancement Student Internship Project.' Presented at the Higher Education Academy Future Directions Conference (2nd-3rd April, 2014).

EVANS, S. (2013) 'Musical Futures in Secondary Schools in Wales: A review of the 2011/12 pilot, focusing on learners' experience and perceptions of non-formal and informal learning in Key Stage 3 (age 11 to 14) music lessons.' Presented at the BERA Conference (3rd-5th September, 2013).

EVANS, S. (2012) 'Learning to Compose: An Investigation into Key Stage 3 and Key Stage 4 Composing Activities at Secondary School.' Presented at the BERA Early Career Researcher Conference (4th-6th September, 2012).

EVANS, S. (2012) 'Learning to Compose in Secondary School: an investigation into composing activities in music lessons.' Presented at the Kaleidoscope Conference, University of Cambridge (8th-10th September, 2012).

EVANS, S. (2011) 'Holistic Learning Approaches in Music Lessons at Key Stage 3.' Presented at the BERA Early Career Researcher Conference (6th-8th September, 2011).

Other Publications:

JOHN, V. and EVANS, S. (2013) 'Musical Futures Wales Pilot 2011-12: Main Findings' [Online]. Available at: http://www.musicalfutures.org

JOHN, V. and EVANS, S. (2013) 'Musical Futures Wales Pilot 2011-12: Summary of Main Findings' [Online]. Available at: http://www.musicalfutures.org

Projects

Project ​Funding ​Role ​Date
​Investigation into Young People's Use of Technology​Welsh Government​Researcher​2014 - current
​Employability and Skills Enhancement Student Internship​Higher Education Funding Council for Wales​Postgraduate Intern Coordinator​2014
​Musical Futures​The Paul Hamlyn Foundation​Musical Futures Wales Project Officer​2011 - 2014

 

Profile

Siân achieved her BMus and an MPhil in composition at Royal Holloway, University of London, after which she worked as a freelance recital soloist (flute) and became resident composer and administrator for The St. David Chamber Orchestra, an orchestra which provided opportunities for young people in Wales to work alongside professional musicians. She trained as a secondary music teacher at the University of Wales Institute, Cardiff, after which she completed her MA in Education whilst working as a music teacher at Bassaleg School, Newport.

Since joining Cardiff Metropolitan University, Siân has taught on the BA (Hons) Secondary Music and PGCE (secondary music) Programmes and engaged in collaborative work with teachers and pupils as Musical Futures Wales Project Officer (http://www.musicalfutures.org). Her research interests in learner voice and education are central to her Ph.D. research for which she is exploring the contexts and processes adopted by young people (aged 11 to 14) when creating music. Siân is currently Lecturer on the Early Childhood Studies pathway for the Educational Studies BA (Hons) Undergraduate Programme.