![Rhian Barrance](https://profiles-cardiff.imgix.net/attachments/4244?w=200&h=200&auto=format&crop=faces&fit=crop&q=90")
Overview
I am a Lecturer at the School of Social Sciences, where I teach on education and sociology modules. I am also Director of the WISERD Education Multi-Cohort Study, a longitudinal cohort study of secondary school children in Wales which is now in its 12th year. This is a national study which is widely used by policy-makers as a key source of evidence about children's experiences of growing up in Wales.
My research interests include children's rights, assessment and equity in education. Much of my research focuses on the fairness of national assessments and qualifications in the UK from a children's rights perspective. I am also interested in children’s social movements and environmental action. I was recently an advisor on the Teach the Future's Curriculum for a Changing Climate: a track changes review of the national curriculum for England. I currently working as a Co-Investigator on an a large AHRC Green Transition Ecosystem grant which aims to develop a Community Open Map Platform (COMP) to address social and environmental challenges on the isle of Anglesey.
I am also currently working on a project on children and young people's involvement in social movements in Wales with colleagues at Cardiff, with a focus on children's activism around school policies and practices.
During my time at Cardiff I have completed two projects for the Children's Commissioner for Wales, including an evidence review on the human rights of children in Wales.
Additional roles:
- Wales Country Expert for UK's PISA 2025 Team
- Cardiff University rep on the Equity & Inclusion Collaborative Research Network
- Editorial board member for the Welsh Encyclopaedia of Social Sciences (Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol).
- Trustee of Play Wales
Publication
2023
- Barrance, R. M. and Hampton, J. M. 2023. The relationship between subjective well-being in school and children’s participation rights: international evidence from the Children’s Worlds survey. Children and Youth Services Review 151, article number: 107038. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107038)
- Barrance, R. and Muddiman, E. 2023. Beyond bad behaviour? Towards a broader understanding of school student activism. British Journal of Sociology of Education 44(6), pp. 1087-1107. (10.1080/01425692.2023.2238906)
- Barrance, R. 2023. Unigolyddiaeth (Individualism). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Unigolyddiaeth
- Barrance, R. 2023. Émile Durkheim. [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Durkheim,_%C3%89mile
- Barrance, R. 2023. Rhaniad llafur (Division of labour). [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Rhaniad_llafur
- Barrance, R. 2023. Anomie. [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Anomie
- Barrance, R. 2023. Solidariaeth (Solidarity). [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Solidariaeth
- Barrance, R. 2023. Swyddogaetholdeb (Functionalism). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Swyddogaetholdeb
- Barrance, R. 2023. Ymwybyddiaeth dorfol (Collective consciousness). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Ymwybyddiaeth_dorfol
2021
- Barrance, R. 2021. Tiering in the GCSE: a children's rights perspective. British Educational Research Journal 46(6), pp. 1210-1231. (10.1002/berj.3629)
2020
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2020. National assessment policy reform 14–16 and its consequences for young people: Student views and experiences of GCSE reform in Northern Ireland and Wales. In: Isaacs, T. and Lamprianou, I. eds. Assessment Policy Reform. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 26-45.
- Barrance, R. 2020. The right to protest: A children’s rights perspective on the school climate strikes. [Online]. British Educational Research Association Blog. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/the-right-to-protest-a-childrens-rights-perspective-on-the-school-climate-strikes
2019
- Barrance, R. and Holland, S. 2019. How well is Wales monitoring its fulfilment of the Convention on the Rights of the Child? A view from Dr Rhian Barrance and Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales. [Online]. Cardiff: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/how-well-wales-monitoring-its-fulfilment-convention-rights-child-view-dr-rhian-barrance-and
- Barrance, R. 2019. Why are primary school children in Wales so worried about tests?. [Online]. Cardiff: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/why-are-primary-school-children-wales-so-worried-about-tests
- Barrance, R. 2019. Beth Nawr,2019 The survey results and analysis of the experiences and worries of children and young people in Wales and their priorities for the Children’s Commissioner.. Project Report. [Online]. Children's Commissioner for Wales. Available at: https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/What-Now-Report.pdf
- Barrance, R. 2019. The fairness of internal assessment in the GCSE: the value of students' accounts. Assessment in Education 26(5), pp. 563-583. (10.1080/0969594X.2019.1619514)
2018
- Davies, A., Milton, E., Connolly, M. and Barrance, R. 2018. Headteacher recruitment, retention and professional development in Wales: challenges and opportunities. Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education 20(2), pp. 204-224. (10.16922/wje.20.2.11)
- Connolly, M., Milton, E., Davies, A. J. and Barrance, R. 2018. Turning Heads: the impact of political reform on the professional role, identity and recruitment of head teachers in Wales.. British Educational Research Journal 44(4), pp. 608-625. (10.1002/berj.3450)
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2018. National assessment policy reform 14-16 and its consequences for young people: student views and experiences of GCSE reform in Northern Ireland and Wales. Assessment in Education 25(3), pp. 252-271. (10.1080/0969594X.2017.1410465)
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2018. Young people’s views on choice and fairness through their experiences of curriculum as examination specifications at GCSE. Oxford Review of Education 44(1), pp. 19-36. (10.1080/03054985.2018.1409964)
- Barrance, R. 2018. The human rights of children in Wales: An evidence review. Children's Commissioner for Wales. Available at: https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/The-Human-Rights-of-Children-in-Wales.pdf
2017
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series – Part 3: Is tiering fair for all students?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-3-tiering-fair-all-students
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series – Part 2: Should internal assessment be used for GCSEs?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-2-should-internal-assessment-be-used-gcses
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series - Part 1: Should all GCSE students be assessed the same way?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-1-should-all-gcse-students-be-assessed-same-way
- Barrance, R. 2017. Climate change and poverty are as much of a threat as terrorism for many young people. The Conversation 2017(27 Mar)
Articles
- Barrance, R. M. and Hampton, J. M. 2023. The relationship between subjective well-being in school and children’s participation rights: international evidence from the Children’s Worlds survey. Children and Youth Services Review 151, article number: 107038. (10.1016/j.childyouth.2023.107038)
- Barrance, R. and Muddiman, E. 2023. Beyond bad behaviour? Towards a broader understanding of school student activism. British Journal of Sociology of Education 44(6), pp. 1087-1107. (10.1080/01425692.2023.2238906)
- Barrance, R. 2021. Tiering in the GCSE: a children's rights perspective. British Educational Research Journal 46(6), pp. 1210-1231. (10.1002/berj.3629)
- Barrance, R. 2019. The fairness of internal assessment in the GCSE: the value of students' accounts. Assessment in Education 26(5), pp. 563-583. (10.1080/0969594X.2019.1619514)
- Davies, A., Milton, E., Connolly, M. and Barrance, R. 2018. Headteacher recruitment, retention and professional development in Wales: challenges and opportunities. Cylchgrawn Addysg Cymru / Wales Journal of Education 20(2), pp. 204-224. (10.16922/wje.20.2.11)
- Connolly, M., Milton, E., Davies, A. J. and Barrance, R. 2018. Turning Heads: the impact of political reform on the professional role, identity and recruitment of head teachers in Wales.. British Educational Research Journal 44(4), pp. 608-625. (10.1002/berj.3450)
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2018. National assessment policy reform 14-16 and its consequences for young people: student views and experiences of GCSE reform in Northern Ireland and Wales. Assessment in Education 25(3), pp. 252-271. (10.1080/0969594X.2017.1410465)
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2018. Young people’s views on choice and fairness through their experiences of curriculum as examination specifications at GCSE. Oxford Review of Education 44(1), pp. 19-36. (10.1080/03054985.2018.1409964)
- Barrance, R. 2017. Climate change and poverty are as much of a threat as terrorism for many young people. The Conversation 2017(27 Mar)
Book sections
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2020. National assessment policy reform 14–16 and its consequences for young people: Student views and experiences of GCSE reform in Northern Ireland and Wales. In: Isaacs, T. and Lamprianou, I. eds. Assessment Policy Reform. Oxford: Routledge, pp. 26-45.
Monographs
- Barrance, R. 2019. Beth Nawr,2019 The survey results and analysis of the experiences and worries of children and young people in Wales and their priorities for the Children’s Commissioner.. Project Report. [Online]. Children's Commissioner for Wales. Available at: https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2019/04/What-Now-Report.pdf
- Barrance, R. 2018. The human rights of children in Wales: An evidence review. Children's Commissioner for Wales. Available at: https://www.childcomwales.org.uk/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/The-Human-Rights-of-Children-in-Wales.pdf
Websites
- Barrance, R. 2023. Unigolyddiaeth (Individualism). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Unigolyddiaeth
- Barrance, R. 2023. Émile Durkheim. [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Durkheim,_%C3%89mile
- Barrance, R. 2023. Rhaniad llafur (Division of labour). [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Rhaniad_llafur
- Barrance, R. 2023. Anomie. [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Anomie
- Barrance, R. 2023. Solidariaeth (Solidarity). [Online]. Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Solidariaeth
- Barrance, R. 2023. Swyddogaetholdeb (Functionalism). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Swyddogaetholdeb
- Barrance, R. 2023. Ymwybyddiaeth dorfol (Collective consciousness). [Online]. Porth Esboniadur: Esboniadur Gwyddorau Cymdeithasol. Available at: https://wici.porth.ac.uk/index.php?title=Ymwybyddiaeth_dorfol
- Barrance, R. 2020. The right to protest: A children’s rights perspective on the school climate strikes. [Online]. British Educational Research Association Blog. Available at: https://www.bera.ac.uk/blog/the-right-to-protest-a-childrens-rights-perspective-on-the-school-climate-strikes
- Barrance, R. and Holland, S. 2019. How well is Wales monitoring its fulfilment of the Convention on the Rights of the Child? A view from Dr Rhian Barrance and Sally Holland, Children’s Commissioner for Wales. [Online]. Cardiff: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/how-well-wales-monitoring-its-fulfilment-convention-rights-child-view-dr-rhian-barrance-and
- Barrance, R. 2019. Why are primary school children in Wales so worried about tests?. [Online]. Cardiff: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/why-are-primary-school-children-wales-so-worried-about-tests
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series – Part 3: Is tiering fair for all students?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-3-tiering-fair-all-students
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series – Part 2: Should internal assessment be used for GCSEs?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-2-should-internal-assessment-be-used-gcses
- Barrance, R. 2017. WISERD GCSE Series - Part 1: Should all GCSE students be assessed the same way?. [Online]. wiserd.ac.uk: Wales Institute of Social & Economic Research, Data & Methods. Available at: https://wiserd.ac.uk/news/wiserd-gcse-series-part-1-should-all-gcse-students-be-assessed-same-way
- Barrance, R. and Elwood, J. 2018. National assessment policy reform 14-16 and its consequences for young people: student views and experiences of GCSE reform in Northern Ireland and Wales. Assessment in Education 25(3), pp. 252-271. (10.1080/0969594X.2017.1410465)
Biography
Education and qualifications
2012-2016: PhD Education, Centre for Children's Rights, Queen's University Belfast
2010-2011: PGCE Secondary English, Cardiff Metropolitan University
2008-2009: MA Medieval British Studies, Cardiff University
2005-2008: BA English Language and Literature, University of Oxford
Contact Details
BarranceR@cardiff.ac.uk
+44 29206 88723
Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA
+44 29206 88723
Glamorgan Building, King Edward VII Avenue, Cardiff, CF10 3WA
