As Professor of Research in Global Education and Theme Lead for Global Learning: Education Without Boundaries, within the Research Centre of Global Learning, my inquiry with colleagues, locally and globally, is grounded in comprehensive internationalisation, with emphasis on theory, pedagogy, interdisciplinarity, social justice, decolonisation, and the role of the ethically engaged university.

I have a proven and successful track record for researching, developing and supervising PhD students through a variety of routes including traditional, structured, Cotutelle/Dual Award programmes, cohort approaches, as well as supporting Alternative Thesis submissions.

I am experienced in a range of approaches to inquiry including hybridised, interdisciplinary methods, Appreciative Inquiry and arts based creative approaches through Post Qualitative studies.

My research interests consider plural ways of knowing and expressing in a diverse range of learning spaces (digital - particularly COIL-VE, face to face, blended, formal and informal) which interweave to impact educational opportunities which can serve to connect international learning communities, as well as to connect the university to its locale. 

Live Projects

Principal Investigator (PI) Coventry University YOUROPE Horizon Europe, Horizon- CL2-2024-Democracy

PI Coventry University EUTERPE Horizon Europe, Marie Skłodowska-Curie Actions

PI Coventry University Transforming Staff Doctorate Research Department Higher Education & Training (DHET) South Africa

14 PhD completions

Currently supervising 12 PhDs

National and International Doctorate Examiner 

Katherine Wimpenny, PhD, MA, DipCOT, Cert Ed, is Full Professor of Research in Global Education and Theme Lead for Global Learning: Education Without Boundaries, in the Research Centre for Global Learning (GLEA) at Coventry University (CU). She is a Member of the ESRC Peer Reveiw College.

Katherine worked as an Occupational Therapist for 10 years in the NHS/ health contexts, followed by 10 years as an academic on the BSc (Hons) and MSc / Post Graduate Occupational Therapy programmes within HLS, CU.

She was awarded her PhD in 2009 and partnered with several NHS Trusts facilitating knowledge transfer through Participatory Action Research methodologies.

From 2010 she has been making a full contribution to the research programmes at CU, initially as a Research Fellow in the 'Learning Innovation' Research Centre until 2014 and then in the 'Disruptive Media Learning Lab', CU, where she was Conferred as Reader in Arts Related Education Research and Pedagogy.

In August 2017, Katherine started in GLEA having helped shape the business plan for the new Centre along with Professors Lynn Clouder, Christine Broughan and Mark Holton.

Katherine was Conferred as Full Professor of Research in Global Education in 2018.

She has a research leadership role in GLEA, pursuing and supporting colleagues in collaborative research of the highest quality, and was entered into the last 2 REF exercises.

Katherine's research involves working with a diverse range of national and international partners. She has a track record and reputation in the design and coordination of interdisciplinary research and innovation projects. She presents on her work widely and is well published in media of repute. 

Katherine is an experienced examiner of PhDs nationally and internationally. 

Finalists of Outstanding Research Supervisory Team Award Coventry University 2024, (nominated 2025, 2022, 2021, 2020 and Winner 2019).

Current PhD Students 

Mark Dawson “What are the mechanisms that influence how stakeholders experience Collaborative Online International Learning: A Critical Realist appraisal”. (Submitting December 2024) Prof. K. Wimpenny (DoS), with Prof. Jos Beelen, Visiting Prof (THUAS), Dr Que Anh Dang.

Maryke Geldenhuys " The role of a South African university in developing resilience in undergraduate medical students" (P/T May 2021 - April 2025) Prof. Katherine Wimpenny with Prof Liezel Frick, Stellenbosch University, Dr Belinda Musodza, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Clarissa Graham "Navigating the Research Ethics Structures of Higher Education Institutions: A Cross-National and Multi-Institutional Discourse Analysis" (P/T May 2021 - April 2025) Prof. Katherine Wimpenny with Prof Liezel Frick, Stellenbosch University, Dr Mapangwana, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Lakshmi Jayakrishnan "Exploring South African academic developers’ identity development: A Narrative Inquiry." (P/T May 2021 - April 2025) Prof. Katherine Wimpenny with Dr Nompilo Tshuma, Stellenbosch University, Dr Noloyiso Nongalo, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Tammy Daldorf "Fostering creative and critical thinking through creative writing for South African second language first-year students: An action research study" (P/T May 2021 - April 2025) Prof. Katherine Wimpenny with Prof Liezel Frick, Stellenbosch University, Dr Yolisa Madolo, Walter Sisulu University, South Africa

Vanessa Nontsikelelo Majiza “Enhancing academic writing skills of STEM Master’s students in a South African faculty of natural sciences” (P/T May 2021 - April 2025) Prof Katherine Wimpenny (DoS) with Prof Liezel Frick, Stellenbosch University and Dr Yolisa Madolo, WSU, South Africa

Ninutsa Nadirashvil “The role of transnational literatures in the decolonisation of understandings of gender within the European academe.” (F/T Sept 2023 – March 2027) Prof Katherine Wimpenny (Dos) with Professor Suzanne Clisby (Univeristy of Lincoln & Visiting Professor GLEA), Prof Sandra Ponzanesi, and Dr Birgit Kaiser (Utrecht University)

Samena Rashid "UK Banglashi and Pakistani student experiences of engagement in STOM at a post 1992 university " (Part-Time (P/T) since Jan 2018 - Sept 2026 ) DoS, K. Wimpenny, with Dr Peter Wolstencroft, Dr Tina Bass and Dr Dimitar Angelov

Kathryn Abell "Exploring “glocalised” community experiences as a way to promote the values of Global Citizenship in higher education: a comparative study" (F/T) (Sept 2024 - Feb 2028) DoS, Prof K. Wimpenny with Prof Jos Beelen, THUAS

Linda Marchant "Supervising Expert PGRs: Understanding the experiences of supervisors of expert doctoral researchers in creative arts." (F/T)(Sept 2024 - Feb 2028) DoS Prof. Damian Sutton with Prof. Katherine Wimpenny

Liudmyla Dmytriieva “Evolution of the students’ and educators' professional identity: The role of Collaborative Online International Learning (COIL) projects” (P/T to submit by Sept 2027) with DoS, Prof. Megan Crawford, Prof. Arinola Adefila & Prof K. Wimpenny

Syuzanna Sahakyan "The role of universities in creating a democratic Europe" (F/T to submit by March 2027) DoS, Prof K. Wimpenny with Dr Que Anh Dang and Dr Sjur Bergan, Former Head, Education Department at Council of Europe.

Current projects 

YOUROPE, Horizon Europe (Horizon- CL2-2024-Democracy)  (Visionary roadmaps: crafting an inclusive and participatory European democracy with youth and communities (Youth for Europe / Yourope) 17 Partner Consortium awarded July 2024, Wimpenny, K. (PI) Coventry

YOUROPE is dedicated to reinvigorating European democracy by enhancing inclusivity and participation, particularly focusing on underrepresented youth and their communities. This will be achieved by establishing shared democratic spaces and roadmaps through an innovative 'Community-Led Research and Action (CLRA)' methodology in combination with quantitative methods. The project approach aims to promote a reciprocal environment of learning and action within educational institutions, particularly schools and universities, recognizing their significant role in advancing European citizenship and democracy. 

I-HEDU, British Council GGP-UK-ID Disability Inclusion Partnerships Grant (2023). (Playful Co-Creation - Building The Indonesia Higher Education Disability Union) Arnab. S. (PI), Wimpenny, K. (Co-PI) with Mahon.D., Mudhibuddin, F., Purnomo, A. R.

This 12-month initiative is poised to make a significant impact on the landscape of higher education in Indonesia, particularly for disabled students, as we embark on the establishment of the “Indonesia HE Disability Union” (I-HEDU).

The project builds upon the success of previous collaborations between Coventry University, Universitas Negeri Malang, and Universitas Muhamadiyah Ponorogo Indonesia. The primary objective of I-HEDU is to address the diverse needs of disabled students in Indonesian universities by co-creating pathways to higher education and disseminating best practices. Our approach is experiential and participatory, guided by playful principles, fostering meaningful dialogues, co-creation, inclusivity, and lasting impact, engaging with disabled students and staff, their communities, prospective students, university personnel, parents, and NGOs.

EUTERPE: European Literatures and Gender in Transnational Perspective (2022-2025) Horizon Europe MARIE Skłodowska-CURIE ACTIONS Doctoral Network (PI Coventry) (HORIZON-TMA-MSCA-DN – 101073012)

EUTERPE offers an innovative approach to rethinking European cultural production in the light of complex social and political negotiations that are shaping European spaces and identities at present. Through an international partnership of 15 HEIs and partner organisations across six European countries, providing fully funded training for 11 Early Stage Doctoral Researchers through our cross-European Doctoral Network, EUTERPE brings together gender and transnational perspectives within an interdisciplinary approach to literary and cultural studies. 

iKUDU Transforming Curricula through internationalisation and virtual exchange (Nov 2019 – June 2025) PI Coventry

iKUDU is a KA2 Erasmus+ Cooperation for innovation and the exchange of good practices (Capacity Building in the field of Higher Education project), involves 5 South African universities and five European Universities. iKUDU is focused on the development of Collaborative Online International learning (COIL) virtual exchanges, which are being embedded in the delivery of an internationalised and transformed, decolonised and Africanised curriculum. 

Transforming Staff Doctoral Research: University Capacity Development Programme (UCDP) collaborative project proposal for phase 2 of the university staff doctoral programme , PI Coventry.

(Feb 2020 - August 2025) Funded through UCDP - University Capacity Development Programme - South Africa, the ‘Transforming Staff Doctoral Research’ is a collaboration with the Walter Sisulu University and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The purpose of the project is to contribute to the increase in the number of permanent academic and professional staff members at South African higher education institutions (SAHEIs) who are qualified at doctoral level. In addition, the project seeks to make progress towards two of Walter Sisulu University (WSU) stated strategic objectives, which is to increase the percentage of academic staff with doctorate qualifications and to increase the research capacity and output of its academic staff members (WSU, 2014). We will address the above issues through a transnational, structured doctoral programme in the field of higher education studies which has embedded mechanisms for training, development and practice-sharing with a wider cohort of supervisors, potential doctoral candidates and research support services at WSU. The international cohort of doctoral candidates enrolled for this programme will comprise staff at WSU who meet the funders’ profiling and equity targets, and institutionally-funded staff from CU and SU. This cohort represents the principles of equity and reciprocity in learning that are central to this consortium. The programme will be structured as an SU-CU cotutelle which draws taught components and online resources from all three institutions. It will exemplify, test and provide a platform for international research education; build supervisory capacity and capabilities; and enrich the research environment of all three institutions. 

Recent Projects

ACES - A Community-Centred Educational Model for developing Social Resilience, is a three year project funded through ESRC under the UKRI-GCRF Education as a Driver of Development Research Grant (Start date 01.02.20). Coventry is lead partner with Arnab – CPDC - PI, with Co-PIs Wimpenny – GLEA,  and Tomlins – FBL.

ACES investigated and established a transformative educational model for bridging formal and informal educational contexts via playful and participatory methodologies towards a more inclusive, safe and resilient society that will empower young people to flourish despite their social localities. The project partnership brought together education researchers, teaching staff, students and community partners across Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. ACES focuses on building resilient communities of young people in rural areas or deprived sections of urban communities through education across Malaysia, Indonesia and Vietnam. ACES engaged teachers and local community groups in the co-creation and ownership of the educational process, fostering an empowering and agentic practice with marginalised contexts to motivate, ground and, most importantly, localise the ACES intervention. A

UK-Southeast Asia Partnerships and Exchnages Baseline Research (UK-SEA PeeR), a two-year project (Sept 2021 - Mar 2023)funded by the British Council (start date. Coventry is lead, Dr Que Anh Dang (PI) with Prof. K.Wimpenny & Prof. L. Clouder (Co-PIs) https://peer.coventry.ac.uk/partners/  

The PEER project was an international research study led by Coventry University (UK) and funded by the British Council. PEER bringing together 10-UK based and 10 Asia-based researchers in three work packages to examine bilateral, multilateral and regional partnerships in Higher Education (HE), Technical and Vocational Education and Training (TVET), and Research and Innovation, between the UK and 15 East Asian countries and territories in the past decade. Combining British and Asian perspectives, the study aimed to enhance understanding of policies, practices, emerging post-covid priorities, and concepts of internationalisation at regional, national and institutional levels in the UK and East Asia.

Enhancing Engineering Education Programme (EEEP), UCDP - University Capacity Development Programme - South Africa. PI Coventry.

EEEP (start date June 2018 - Dec 2022) was in collaboration with the Walter Sisulu University and the University of Stellenbosch, South Africa. The project was focused on enhancing staff capacity building for knowledge exchange in engineering education and postgraduate supervision. The project was researched in terms of staff and curriculum development, staff capacity development towards teaching for the 'world of work', application of ALL/PBL as a teaching and learning strategy, development of staff capacity to undertake postgraduate supervision, and research on curriculum mapping as a tool for curriculum analysis. 

OpenMed - Opening up education in South Mediterranean countries. PI Coventry.

OpenMed was an international cooperation project co-funded by the Erasmus + Capacity Building in Higher Education programme of the European Union during the period 15 October 2015 - 14 October 2018, involved five HEI partners from Europe and nine HEIs from South-Mediterranean (SM) countries (Morocco, Palestine, Egypt and Jordan). The project was focused on the adoption of Open Educational Practices within the context of higher education in the SM region. The project was structured in three main phases: review of open education initiatives, widening participation in Open Educational Practices (OER), and capacity building opportunities for lecturers and other HE professionals.The development of a capacity building Course “Open Education: fundamentals and approaches, represented a genuine experience of multicultural Open Education development. 

EduHack  - A new approach for Higher Education teachers’ capacity building in the digital world, PI Coventry

EduHack was an ERASMUS + Capacity Building programme in Higher Education, (October 2017 – September 2020) the focus of which was to develop an intensive online course for capacity building in eLearning, OER and MOOC creation. Three EduHackathons were hosted around Europe, one here at Coventry University, and a European open resource database and network was set up to promote the reproduction of these events by other institutions

Enhancing Transnational Education Programmes: Improving Student Retention, Satisfaction and Attainment by Addressing the Motivation, Expectation and Experience Factors in the Anglo-Sino Pedagogies, PI Coventry. 

This international study actively involved doctoral and early career researchers, to explore Chinese students’ motivation, expectation and experiences of studying on a TNE programme provided by Coventry University (CU) at two major Chinese partner universities: Southwest University of Political Science & Law and Guangdong University of Foreign Studies. The project examined students’ preferred learning approaches in relation to Anglo-Sino pedagogies including how issues such as social background, gender, and prior educational experiences intersect and impact learning experiences. 

 JOVITAL - Jordan's Opportunity for Virtual Innovative Teaching and Learning, PI Coventry.

JOVITAL October 2017 - 2020, was an Erasmus+ funded project focused on supporting Jordanian HEIs in designing and implementing effective ICT-based internationalisation-at-home activities and integrating them in a global network for virtual mobility. 

JOVITAL, building on the learning from OpenMed, offered Jordanian HEIs opportunity to explore, implement, and disseminate OEP, with a particular focus on removing barriers for female learners and refugees, and in providing opportunities to upskill the existing workforce.  Mobile Virtual Innovative Learning Labs focused on a multipliable flexible instrument to ensure nationwide outreach and effective inclusion of marginalised areas and learner groups, especially in rural areas and refugee camps.

Shaping global urban environments for today and tomorrow: Internationalisation of researcher development and doctoral provision in strategic research areas through a Brazil/UK collaboration (Nov 2019 – Oct 2020) PI Coventry

This British Council funded capacity-building project between Universidade Federal Do Espírito Santo (UFES), Brazil and Coventry University, addresses UFES’s institutional and regional needs to enhance its internationalisation capabilities within priority social sciences research areas as per its Internationalisation Plan. The project follows Joseph’s transformative approach to internationalisation as a collaborative undertaking which engages with cultural difference, challenges, ambiguity and risk (2011: 242). It is based on Appreciative Inquiry tenets (Cooperrider and Srivastva 1987; Cooperrider et al 2008) as it entails "a group process that enquires into, identifies and further develops the best of “what is” in organizations in order to create better futures”’ (Preskill and Catsambas 2006: 2) with a particular focus on doctoral study education.

In summary,

Each project has been facilitating intensive interdisciplinary research between the collaborating institutions in considering pedagogical strategies in the context of curriculum transformation, offering multiple strategies to (re)examine educational approaches to teaching and learning, contextually situated, via research and development with people and communities of diverse intercultural backgrounds.