About

I am a Lecturer in Education and Assistant Programme Leader for the Education Doctorate (EdD) within the Institute of Education and Skills at the University of Derby. I am also a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and an active researcher within the Inclusion and Special Educational Needs Research Cluster (ISEND).

Before joining the University of Derby in 2023, I spent more than 15 years working across secondary education, teacher education and educational leadership. My previous roles included Head of Key Stage, Pastoral and Inclusion Leader, Initial Teacher Education Coordinator, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Lead, and SCITT Course Leader.

My research interests include LGBTQ+ inclusion, student voice, professional identity, social justice, teacher development, and creative research methodologies. I am particularly interested in how schools, universities and professional spaces are shaped by inclusion, exclusion and identity, and how educational settings can become more equitable environments for learners and staff.

My research is driven by a commitment to creating educational environments where all learners and educators can thrive, belong and succeed.

Teaching responsibilities

I teach across Initial Teacher Education (ITE) and doctoral programmes and serve as Assistant Programme Leader for the Education Doctorate (EdD). My work includes programme leadership, curriculum development and delivery, researcher development, and supervision. I also teach on our secondary PGCE School Centred Initial Teacher Training (SCITT) programmes.

Research interests

My research interests include:

• LGBTQ+ inclusion in schools, colleges and universities
• Teacher professional identity and career development
• Leadership and inclusion
• Social justice
• Initial Teacher Education (ITE)
• Belonging, safe spaces and student voice
• Minority stress and wellbeing
• Creative and visual research methodologies
• Photo-elicitation and participatory research methods
• Critical and queer pedagogies

Recent publications

• Patton, D. & Brett, A. (2026). Queer Recovery Capital: LGBTQ+ Pathways From Addiction to Recovery. New Central Media
• Brett, A. (2025). Safe spaces and beyond: Examining the role of LGBT+ Pride Groups in fostering ontological security and allyship within UK schools. BERJ.
• Brett, A. & Lee, C. (2025). The Guide to LGBTQ+ Research. Emerald Group Publishing.
• Brett, A. (2024). Space, surveillance, and stress: a Lefebvrian analysis of heteronormative spatial production in schools, using a photo elicitation method with LGBT+ teachers. Sex Education, 1-17
• Brett, A. (2024). Unveiling heteronormativity: a visual exploration of LGBT+ teachers’ experience using photo elicitation. Sex Education, 1-17
• Brett, A., Bodfield, K., Culshaw, A., & Johnson, B. (2024). Exploring LGBTQ+ teacher professional identity through the power threat meaning framework. British Educational Research Journal, 1-17
• Brassington, J., & Brett, A. (2023). Pride & Progress: Making schools LGBT+ inclusive spaces. Sage
• Brett, A. (2022). Under the spotlight: exploring the challenges and opportunities of being a visible LGBT+ teacher. Sex Education, 1-15