Research areas

ESRI’s research is split into eight thematic areas, focusing on activity that can engage children and young people, practitioners and collaborating partners. We also have two laboratories, the Manifold Lab and the Living Lab, which are multidisciplinary research hubs. They contribute to ESRI’s ability to conduct different kinds of research on campus, with young people, and in different communities. 

If we are going to solve the big problems of the world, we need people who are free thinkers. ESRI is full of free thinkers and people who are not afraid to go out there and spend time in communities learning.
Professor Kate Pahl
Professor of Arts and Literacy
If we are going to solve the big problems of the world, we need people who are free thinkers. ESRI is full of free thinkers and people who are not afraid to go out there and spend time in communities learning.
Professor Kate Pahl
Professor of Arts and Literacy
researcher using screen in manifold lab

The Manifold Lab

Conducting biosocial and eco-sensitive studies of learning and behaviour.
An abstract representation of network

The Living Lab

A space for connecting psychology with real-world problems in the field of education.

Arts-based methods

Free workshops exploring arts-based research methods.

Interested in our research? 

If you are interested in the work ESRI is conducting, you can get in touch with us via email at EducationRKE@mmu.ac.uk