Martine Bird

I originally studied nursing and post qualification work in a number of hospitals across the UK specialising in cardio thoracic medicine within the public and private sector.

In 1990, I moved into Day Care management, managing day nurseries within the private sector. I joined University College Birmingham in 1993, working within School of Education and Community. I initially supported students across all Further Education utilising my nursing and day nursery nursing experience in conjunction with my qualifications in NVQ assessment.

Following UCB’s transition into Higher education, I became the HE Co-ordinator for Industrial Placement, liaising and coordinating higher education placements across the sector. In 2005, I became a full-time lecturer teaching across full-time and part-time courses within the School of Education Health and Community specialising in a range of subjects which include Sociology and Contemporary Issues. I am currently engaged in my doctoral research examining the experiences of young Asian females studying on foundation degrees. I am also involved with the development of Coaching and Mentoring within schools in the local community. I am a member of the British Sociological Association (BSA) and the International Professional Development Association (IPDA), presenting at the IPDA Conference on an annual basis.

Research for Enquiry, Contemporary Issues, Behaviour and Individual Differences, Sociology, Health, Child Protection and Safeguarding and Coaching and Mentoring.

Coaching and mentoring, equality of opportunity, social justice, widening participation and the development of identity within an educational context.

External Examiner - University of South Wales.

Joint Chair of the Community of Practice for Coaching and Mentoring (Titan Partnership).