Gill Adams EdD
Associate Professor in Education
Summary
I am Associate Professor in Education in the Sheffield Institute of Education and a Principal Fellow (PFHEA). My research focusses on mathematics education, teacher learning and doctoral researchers’ experience. Recent projects include mathematics education policy reviews for the Royal Society’s Mathematical Futures Programme, an ESRC-funded study of research mobilities, evaluations of teacher professional learning (DfE & MEI) and narrative studies of experiences of learning. I came into higher education after seventeen years’ experience teaching and leading secondary mathematics and six years as a professional development advisor. I am currently REF Units of Assessment coordinator for education.
About
My research interests include exploring the socio-cultural and individual factors influencing professional and adult learning, particularly in relation to mathematics teacher learning and to doctoral researchers’ experience. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ projects include a mathematics education policy review, an evaluation of the Further Mathematics Support programme and evaluations of national mathematics curriculum and professional development projects. Other projects include narrative studies of experiences of learning on the professional doctorate and analysis of policy and workplace factors influencing opportunities for engagement in mathematics professional learning.
Previously, I led postgraduate research in the Sheffield Institute of Education and led the Doctorate in Education (2015-2020). Beyond Sheffield Hallam, I was Deputy Director of the Education, Childhood & Youth Pathway, ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership and coordinated the Doctorate in Education Directors' National Network.
I began my career as a secondary mathematics teacher in inner London, later supporting schools in developing mathematics teaching. Prior to moving to Sheffield Hallam, I volunteered in Ethiopia for two years with Voluntary Services Overseas (VSO), leading professional development programmes for teachers and teacher educators. Building on my early career as a mathematics teacher and teacher educator, I have contributed internationally to curriculum and teacher development projects: Mathematics in the Making (MiMa) and the Erasmus+ funded Project in Citizenship and Mathematics (PiCaM).
Teaching
Department of Teacher Education
College of Social Sciences and Arts
I started at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in September 2012, initially joining the Mathematics Education Centre. I have taught on a range of mathematics education modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Courses
I have taught on a range of mathematics education modules at undergraduate and postgraduate level. From 2015-2020 I led the Doctorate in Education. I currently supervise EdD and PhD research projects.
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ projects
- Next Generation Ï㽶ÊÓƵ SuperVision Project (RSVP): Transforming the culture of doctoral supervision and education (2023-2026), Ï㽶ÊÓƵ England Development Fund, Co-I evaluation strand
- Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Mobilities in Primary Literacy Education (2021-2024), Economic & Social Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Council (ESRC), Co-I
- Yorkshire Consortium for Equity in Doctoral Education (YCEDE), Office for Students (OfS), researcher
- Landscaping Mathematics Education Policy (2021-2022), The Royal Society, PI
- Project in Citizenship and Mathematics (PiCaM) (2017- 2020), Erasmus+, Project lead
- Longitudinal evaluation for the England-China maths education innovation research project (Shanghai teacher exchange) (2014-2018), Department for Education
Featured research
- Landscaping mathematics education policy
- PiCaM: Citizenship and mathematics
- Evaluation of the Further Mathematics Support Programme and related studies
Publications
Key Publications
Adams, G., & Boylan, M. (2023). . The Royal Society.
Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2023). . Journal of Education Policy.
Boylan, M., Adams, G., Perry, E., & Booth, J. (2023). . Professional Development in Education, 49 (4), 651-669.
Povey, H., & Adams, G. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Mathematics Education.
Adams, G. (2021). . In Kollosche, D. (Ed.) Mathematics Education and Society 11, University of Klagenfurt, Austria [online], 24 September 2021 - 29 September 2021 (pp. 125-128). Tredition:
Gannon, S., Taylor, C., Adams, G., Donaghue, H., Hannan-Swain, S., Harris-Evans, J., ... Moore, P. (2019). . Emotion, space and society.
Adams, G. (2018). . Studies in Continuing Education.
Adams, G., & Povey, H. (2018). . In Jurdak, M., & Vithal, R. (Eds.) Socio-political dimensions of mathematics education: Voices from margin to mainstream. (pp. 209-230). Springer:
Povey, H., & Adams, G. (2018). . The Mathematics Enthusiast, 15 (1-2), 159-177.
Adams, G. (2017). . Teaching and teacher education, 67, 161-170.
Journal articles
Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2025). An embedded genre-based writing pedagogy for early-stage doctoral students. Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.
Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2025). . Studies in Graduate and Postdoctoral Education.
Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2023). . Studies in Continuing Education.
Povey, H., & Adams, G. (2022). . Mathematics Teaching, 283, 17-20.
Povey, H., Jackson, C., & Adams, G. (2020). Part of something bigger? Children’s interactive exhibitions. Mathematics Teaching, 271, 13-16.
Povey, H., Adams, G., Demissie, F.A., Unwin, R., Weber, R., & Bremer, J. (2019). A cross-curricular project in citizenship and mathematics (PiCaM). Mathematics Teaching, (269), 12-15.
Taylor, C.A., Gannon, S., Adams, G., Donaghue, H., Hannam-Swain, S., Harris-Evans, J., ... Moore, P. (2019). . International Journal of Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 99, 101513.
Povey, H., Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2019). . Pedagogy, Culture and Society.
Taylor, C., & Adams, G. (2019). International Journal of Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Boylan, M., Adams, G., Coldwell, M., Willis, B., & Demack, S. (2018). . Review of Education, 6 (3), 408-410.
Boylan, M., Adams, G., Willis, B., Coldwell, M., & Demack, S. (2018). . Review of Education, 6 (3), 360-407.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Everley, R. (2017). . The Journal of Urban Mathematics Education, 10 (2), 52-65.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Jackson, C. (2016). . Philosophy of Mathematics Education Journal, 31.
Williams, L., Nixon, S., Hennessy, C., Mahon, E., & Adams, G. (2016). . Cogent Education, 3, 1-12.
Hennessy, C., Adams, G., Mahon, E., Nixon, S., Pratt, A., & Williams, L. (2014). . Quality Assurance in Education, 22 (3), 240-254.
Adams, G. (2013). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Mathematics Education, 15 (1), 87-88.
Starczewska, A., Hodkinson, A., & Adams, G. (2011). . Journal of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Special Educational Needs, 12 (3), 162-169.
Conference papers
Adams, G., Boylan, M., Chronaki, A., Otieno, H., & Wright, P. (2021). . In Kollosche, D. (Ed.) Mathematics Education and Society 11, University of Klagenfurt, Austria [online], 24 September 2021 - 29 September 2021 (pp. 95-98). Tredition:
Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2019). . In Educating the educators III, Freiburg, Germany, 7 October 2019 - 8 October 2019 (pp. 70-72).
Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2019). . In Educating the educators III, Freiburg, Germany, 7 October 2019 - 8 October 2019 (pp. 70-72).
Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2019). . In British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association Annual Conference, Manchester, UK, 10 September 2019 - 12 September 2019.
Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2019). . In British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association Annual Conference, Manchester, UK, 10 September 2019 - 12 September 2019.
Demissie, A., Povey, H., & Adams, G. (2019). In Curtis, F. (Ed.) Proceedings of the British Society for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into Learning Mathematics, Milton Keynes, UK, 19 March 2019. BSRLM
Chronaki, A., Adams, G., Andrade, M., Bruno, G., Demissie, F., Marcone, R., ... Yolcu, A. (2019). . Proceedings of the Tenth International Mathematics Education and Society Conference.
Povey, H., Adams, G., Demissie, F., & Chronaki, A. (2019). . Proceedings of the Tenth International Mathematics Education and Society Conference.
Adams, G., Boylan, M., & Maxwell, B. (2018). . In British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association Annual Conference 2018, Newcastle, UK, 11 September 2018 - 13 September 2018.
Taylor, C., & Adams, G. (2017). . In Higher Education: Rising to the challenge: Balancing expectations of students, society and stakeholders, Newport, Wales, 2017 - 2017. Society for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ in Higher Education (SRHE)
Povey, H., & Adams, G. (2017). . In Chronaki, A. (Ed.) Mathematics Education : Proceedings of 9th International Conference of Mathematics Education and Society (MES) Conference, Volos, Greece, April 2017, (pp. 803-811). Thessaly, Greece: International Conference of Mathematics Education and Society (MES):
Adams, G., & Povey, H. (2016). . In BSRLM Day conference, Loughborough University, 11 June 2016.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Boylan, M. (2016). . In British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association Annual Conference, Leeds, UK, 13 September 2016 - 15 September 2016.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Everley, R. (2016). . In 13th International Congress on Mathematical Education, Hamburg, 24 July 2016 - 2016.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Everley, R. (2016). "Its influence taints all" : mathematics teachers resisting performativity through engagement with the past. In International Congress on Mathematical Education, Hamburg, Germany, 24 July 2016 - 2016.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Jackson, C. (2016). . Proceedings of the British Society for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into Learning Mathematics, 36 (1), 82-87.
Adams, G. (2014). . Proceedings of the British Society for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into Learning Mathematics, 34 (1), 1-6.
Adams, G. (2012). . Proceedings of the British Society for Ï㽶ÊÓƵ into Learning Mathematics, 32 (2), 5-10.
Book chapters
Adams, G., Povey, H., & Demissie, F. (2025). . In Chronaki, A., & Yolcu, A. (Eds.) Troubling Notions of Global Citizenship and Diversity in Mathematics Education. (pp. 261-279). London: Routledge:
Adams, G., Povey, H., & Demissie, F. (2024). Working with primary teachers in England on mathematics teaching for citizenship: critical and philosophical approaches. In Chronaki, A., & Yolcu, A. (Eds.) Mathematics Education for ‘citizenship’ and its ‘other’ in a ‘global’ world: Critical issues on mathematics curricula, globalization and local practices. Routledge
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Jackson, C. (2018). . In Ernest, P. (Ed.) Philosophy of Mathematics Education Today. (pp. 343-352). Dordrecht: Springer:
Starczewska, A., Hodkinson, A., & Adams, G. (2013). . In Reynolds, C.R., Vannets, K.J., & Fletcher-Janzen, E. (Eds.) Encyclopedia of special education : reference for the education of children, adolescents, and adults with disabilities and other exceptional individuals. John Wiley & Sons, Inc:
Books
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Lynn Thompson, T., Čermáková, A., Ben Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Routledge.
Reports
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., ÄŒermáková, A., Shannon, D., & Shetty, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Ĉermákóva, A., Adams, G., Burnett, C., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., Shannon, D., ... Vackova, P. (2024). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Boylan, M., Adams, G., & Birkhead, A. (2023). . The Royal Society.
Demack, S., Reaney-Wood, S., Adams, G., Stiell, B., & Culliney, M. (2019). Number of A levels taken and subject combinations: An analysis of NPD data for A level Mathematics and Further Mathematics (2013, 2015 & 2017).
Adams, G., Reaney-Wood, S., Demack, S., Handforth, R., & Stiell, B. (2019). An Evaluation of the Further Mathematics Support Programme Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Report. 2017-2018.
Demack, S., Reaney-Wood, S., Adams, G., Stiell, B., & Culliney, M. (2019). Participation and Attainment in A level Mathematics & FurtherMathematics.
Boylan, M., Wolstenholme, C., Maxwell, B., Demack, S., Jay, T., Reaney, S., & Adams, G. (2019). . Department for Education.
Boylan, M., Demack, S., Willis, B., Stevens, A., Adams, G., & Verrier, D. (2015). . London: Department for Education.
Boylan, M., Demack, S., Willis, B., Stevens, A., Adams, G., & Verrier, D. (2015). Multiplicative reasoning professional development programme: evaluation Technical report & detail of evaluation findings.
Boylan, M., Demack, S., Willis, B., Stevens, A., Adams, G., & Verrier, D. (2015). Multiplicative reasoning professional development programme : evaluation. London: Department for Education.
Adams, G., Povey, H., Beutelspacher, A., Kahlen, C., Weber, R., Jackson, C., ... Soares, M.D.C. (2013). MiMa - Mathematics in the Making - The Project. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Theses / Dissertations
Assaf, D. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Adams, G., Ingram, N., & Madriaga, M.
Williams, S. (2022). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Adams, G., & Coldwell, M.
Internet Publications
Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2025). . [blogpost].
Adams, G., Donaghue, H., Heron, M., & McGrath, L. (2025). Tasks for Doctoral Education.
Heron, M., McGrath, L., Adams, G., & Donaghue, H. (2025). We need to talk about doctoral pedagogy: introducing the doctoral education toolkit.
Adams, G., Shetty, P., & Burnett, C. (2023). Reflections on working with an artist. [blog].
Adams, G. (2023). Writing on writing: five suggestions for challenging your writing practices. [blog].
Adams, G. (2022). Encountering research: glimpses from England. [blog].
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Shetty, P., Shannon, D., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., & Vackova, (2022). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Mobilities in Primary Literacy Education.
Burnett, C., Adams, G., Shetty, P., Shannon, D., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.L., & Vackova, (2022). Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Mobilities in Primary Literacy Education.
Povey, H., Adams, G., & Demissie, F.A. (2017). Project in Citizenship and Mathematics.
Media
Adams, G., Povey, H., Jackson, C., Beutelspacher, A., Kahlen, C., Weber, R., & Munkacsy, K. (2013). MiMa - Mathematics in the Making - The DVD. [DVD].
Presentations
McGrath, L., Heron, M., Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2025). Co-constructing doctoral literacy development tasks with doctoral students: process, product and impact. Presented at: British Association of Lecturers in English for Academic Purposes, University of Plymouth, UK
Burnett, C., Shetty, P., Adams, G., Shannon, D., Thompson, T.L., & Gillen, J. (2023). . Presented at: European Conference on Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (ECER) 2023, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, 2023
Adams, G., & Donaghue, H. (2023). . Presented at: European Conference on Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (ECER) 2023, University of Glasgow, Glasgow, 2023
Adams, G. (2023). . Presented at: Narrative Matters 2023, Tampere, Finland, 2023
Adams, G., & Boylan, M. (2022). . Presented at: BSRLM Autumn Day Conference 2022, Online, 2022
Adams, G., & Donaghue, H. (2022). . Presented at: European Conference on Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (ECER) 2022, Online, 2022
Adams, G., Burnett, C., Vackova, P., Gillen, J., Thompson, T.-.L., & Cermakova, A. (2022). . Presented at: European Conference on Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (ECER) 2022, Online, 2022
Donaghue, H., & Adams, G. (2021). Developing doctoral researcher identities through tutorial talk. Presented at: 7th International Conference on Professional and Practice-Based Doctorates, Online, 2021
Perry, E., Booth, J., Boylan, M., & Adams, G. (2020). . Presented at: IPDA International Virtual Conference 2020, Online conference, 2020
Adams, G., & Povey, H. (2019). Making connections through mathematical activity: The Project in Citizenship and Mathematics (PiCaM). Presented at: Global Perspectives: Re-imagining Education, University of Worcester
Perry, E., Adams, G., & Burnett, C. (2018). Let it go! Learning through openness, space and play. Presented at: Festival of Social Science, Sheffield
Adams, G. (2018). 'The struggle to be there, let alone be heard': Doctoral researchers' narratives. Presented at: The ABCs of Narrative, University of Twente
Adams, G., & Cripps, C. (2016). Developing doctoralness: experiences of feedback on the Doctorate in Education in a UK university. Presented at: International Conference on Professional Doctorates, Titanic, Belfast
Boylan, M., Adams, G., & Willis, B. (2015). Professional learning as situated: Accounting for variation in engagement and outcomes in professional development. Presented at: International Association for Professional Development (IPDA) Conference, Aston University
Other activities
- External examiner, Professional Doctorate in Education, Birmingham City University, 2025-2028
- Convenor, Mathematics education special interest group (SIG), British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association, 2021-2027
- Deputy Director, Education, Childhood & Youth Pathway, ESRC White Rose Doctoral Training Partnership 2019-2021
- Co-coordinator of the Doctorate in Education Directors' National Network 2018-2021
- External reviewer, Nottingham Trent University (Professional Doctorates), 2016-2017
- External examiner, Liverpool Hope University (PG Certificate in Mathematics Education), 2016-2020; University of Brighton PGCE (Mathematics), 2014-2016
Postgraduate supervision
I welcome informal contacts from prospective doctoral students in all areas related to my research interests.
Current doctoral researchers:
- Rachel Stone, Critical reflection in Higher Education teaching. EdD. Director of Studies.
- Amy Birkhead, Exploring beginning mathematics teachers’ development of identity. EdD. Director of Studies.
- Laurel Smith, Navigating the dialogic possibilities of teaching: mapping teachers’ dialogic identities and experiences. EdD. Director of Studies.
- Shirley Masterson-Ng, Exploring the practice-based learning experiences of racialised occupational therapy students. EdD. Second supervisor.
- Samantha Wilkes, An investigation into the Initial Teacher Education (ITE) primary curriculum. EdD. Director of Studies.
- Arwa Omar, The Overlapping Relationship between Theory of Mind, Executive Functions and Mathematics Achievement. PhD. Second supervisor
Completed doctorates:
- Dareen Assaf, Female Underrepresentation in Syrian University Senior-Leadership Positions: Perceptions, Barriers, and Enablers. PhD. Director of Studies
- Bob Sawyer, Challenging the attitudes and beliefs of teachers of mathematics using ‘Task Design’. PhD. Second supervisor.
- Sarah Williams, What role do primary head teachers’ beliefs play in the conceptualisation of Physical Education? EdD. Director of Studies.
- Herine Otieno, Improving students’ relationship with mathematics through self-regulated learning in Kenyan secondary schools. Commonwealth Scholar PhD, October 2018. Second supervisor.