Dr Julian Ayres
Senior Lecturer in Education (PCET)
Dr Julian Ayres is a Senior Lecturer in Education at Wrexham University, where his work is driven by a commitment to transforming teaching and learning through innovative uses of educational technology. With a specialist focus on adult education and change management, Dr Ayres has played a key role in enhancing learner experiences and promoting professional development across the post-compulsory education and training (PCET) sector.
His research centres on resilience and wellbeing in initial teacher education, with particular attention to supporting student teachers during their PGCE studies and into the early years of their careers. This work aims to address the challenges of teacher attrition by equipping trainees with the strategies and support needed to thrive in complex educational environments.
Dr Ayres also has a strong interest in the practical application of emerging technologies, including artificial intelligence (AI) and virtual reality (VR), in education. His current work explores how these tools can be used not only to enrich teaching practices but also to empower educators and learners alike—driving innovation, inclusion, and improved educational outcomes.
Research Interests
Dr Julian Ayres' research interests lie at the intersection of teacher resilience, wellbeing, and retention within post-compulsory education and training (PCET). His work focuses on the development and evaluation of interventions that support student teachers during their initial teacher education and into their early careers, with the aim of improving both professional sustainability and learner outcomes. Methodologically, Dr Ayres specialises in pragmatic mixed-methods research, combining quantitative and qualitative approaches to capture the complexity of educational experiences. He is particularly skilled in case study design, survey development, and thematic analysis, and is committed to research that informs practice and policy in meaningful, evidence-based ways.
Publications
| Year | Publication | Type |
|---|---|---|
| 2025 | Foxholes: Resilience Training for Teachers in Post-Compulsory Education, Learned Society for Wales. [DOI] | Conference Publication |
| 2024 | An evaluation of the emergency online teaching provision in Wales’ Initial Teacher Education courses, Dr Lowri Jones;Dr Tanya Hathaway;Dr Alison Glover;Gwawr Williams;Dr Matthew Jones;Dr Julian Ayres |
Published Report |
| 2024 | A word to the wise (gair i gall): university teacher educators' experiences of emergency response pedagogy in Wales, COGENT EDUCATION, 11. [DOI] Hathaway, Tanya;Jones, Lowri;Glover, Alison;Ayres, Julian;Jones, Mathew |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
| 2024 | A word to the wise (gair i gall): university teacher educators’ experiences of emergency response pedagogy in Wales, [DOI] Hathaway, Tanya;Jones, Lowri;Glover, Alison;Ayres, Julian;Jones, Mathew |
Peer Reviewed Journal |
Employment
| Employer | Position | From/To |
|---|---|---|
| Wrexham University | Senior Lecturer | 01/08/2017 - 29/08/2024 |
| Wrexham Council | Education development officer | 01/08/2012 - 01/08/2017 |
| Shropshire Council | Functional Skills Tutor | 01/08/2010 - 01/08/2012 |
| Shekinah Mission | Key Skills Tutor | 03/08/2009 - 01/08/2010 |
Education
| Institution | Qualification | Subject | From/To |
|---|---|---|---|
| Plymouth University | Diploma in Teaching in the Lifelong Learning Sector (Literacy Specialism) | Education | 01/08/2008 - 01/06/2009 |
| Exeter University | BA (Hons) English Language and Linguistics with Education Studies | English Language and Linguistics with Education Studies | 01/08/2004 - 01/06/2008 |
| Wrexham Glyndwr University | MA in Education | Education | 01/08/2013 - 01/06/2017 |
| University of Bolton | Professional Doctorate in Education | 01/09/2021 - 01/08/2024 | |
| University of Bolton | Doctorate in Education | Education | 01/08/2020 - 31/07/2024 |
Outreach Activities
| Title | Description | Organisation |
|---|---|---|
| Foxholes: Understanding Grit and Resilience | The lecture related to Julian’s PhD research, which was an evaluation of resilience training to support the retention and graduate success of trainee teachers. Throughout the lecture Julian shared his passion for ultra and endurance running and how that links in with the notions of grit and resilience in his research. Julian shared that his philosophy as an educator is to give his students ‘tin can openers’, so they become critically reflective thinkers who make a difference in the future, rather than just giving them the ‘beans’ of knowledge. The journey to this philosophy was depicted beautifully from Julian’s first day at university as a student himself, to the job interview for his current role. The findings of the research were shared and the subsequent implementation of a module on the PGCE course titled “Resilience During HE and Beyond”, which resulted in an increased retention rate on the programme of study was also discussed. | Wrexham University Public Lecture |
Programs/ Modules Coordinated
| Title | Subject |
|---|---|
| Work-based Learning 1 (L4) | EDS415 |
| Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Feedback | EDS417 |
| Professional Learning Part 1 | EDS419 |
| Emotional Health, Mental Health and Wellbeing | EDW706 |
| Mentoring and Coaching in Education | ONLED13 |
| Preparing for your Placement | EDN405 |
| Leadership and Professional Development | EDN604 |
| Work-based Learning 2 (L5) | EDS514 |
| Learning, Teaching, Assessment and Feedback | EDS618 |
| Professional Learning Part 1 | EDS620 |
| Critical Thinking, Reasoning and Argument Skills | ONLED10 |
| Leadership and Professional Development | EDN611 |
| Resilience During HE and Beyond | FY305 |
| Leading and Managing Education Professionals | EDW712 |
| Mentoring in the Post-Compulsory Sector | EDS423 |
| Creativity, Innovation and Learning | EDS616 |
| Learning, Teaching and Assessment in Higher Education | EDS746 |
| Supporting Student Learning in Higher Education | EDS416 |
| Leading Organisational Change | EDW713 |
| Creativity, Innovation and Learning | EDS747 |