Brian McGrail (PhD MA PGCE)

Lecturer in Social Sciences

Biography

Background

I have a PhD in Political Economy of Housing (Heriot-Watt, 1997) and MA (Hons) in Political Science (Edinburgh, 1988). and have worked for the Open University since 1996 and at COL since 2007, where I teach on the International Foundation Programme, Access Programme, and for Short Courses (Open Studies). I worked in a design and development role for the Access Programme, preparing the two Access Social Sciences courses (2017-18).

After completing my PhD, I managed two Economic and Social Research Council (ESRC) funded projects (on UK Financial Landownership and on Electronic Surveillance in Housing Estates), the second of which was awarded 'Outstanding' by the ESRC evaluation committee. I then acted as an ESRC consultant reviewer for 26 research projects within the ESRC’s Behaviour and Environment theme for 2002-3. I have written and published teaching materials for the Open University, as well as writing (with Prof Gerry Mooney) a number of entries on the OpenLearn website. A selection of my work for the OU, including a ‘timeline’ of modern Scottish political and economic history developed for the BBC Andrew Marr programme Scotland and the Battle for Britain, is available by following the link below. I was a Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin (River Falls), teaching on their Experience Scotland programme at Dalkeith House, Midlothian from 2009-2019. And have taught at Heriot-Watt University (1992-96), Queen Margaret University (2001-2), and the University of the Highlands & Islands (based in Perth College) (2000-2005). From 2020-2024 I am External Examiner for Access Social Science and Study Abroad Programmes at the University of Glasgow. I have a blogging site, which also acts as a gateway to my social media accounts, if you want to know more about my work:

Brian McGrail (academia.edu)

www.socialisingsense.net 

Brian McGrail's OpenLearn Profile - OpenLearn - Open University

Qualifications

PGCE in Online Education (Open, 2023)

ALCM (West London, 2016)

HE Diploma in European Humanities (Open, 1998)

PhD in Political Economy of Housing (Heriot-Watt, 1997)

MA in Political Science (Edinburgh, 1988)

Responsibilities & affiliations

External Examiner (University of Derby, 2023-27)

Core Member of Centre for Open Learning Board of Studies (2024-26)

External Examiner (University of Glasgow, 2020-2025)

Course Organiser for IFP Living and Learning in Britain (2023-2025)

Course Organiser for Business Studies (Centre for Open Learning, 2024)

Centre for Open Learning Rep on Library Information and Services Committee (2021-23)

Lead Course Designer and Teacher on Social Science Access Courses, Centre for Open Learning (2017-19)

 

Undergraduate teaching

Lead Course Designer on Studying Society, International Foundation Programme (2024- present).

Lead Course Designer and Lecturer on Access Social Sciences 1 and 2 (single year certification and entry courses) (2017-present).

Lead Course Designer and Lecturer on Introduction to Social Sciences, International Foundation Programme (2011-2025).

Open Studies 'Short Course' Writer and Lecturer on (1) Utopianism: Space, Place and Social Order, (2) Adam Smith's Wealth of Nations, and (3) Marx's Capital.

Research summary

I am interested in social science education, specifically in the areas of political economy, social theory, and utopian studies.  This covers specific schools of thought including Scottish Common Sense Philosophy, Open Marxism, and Critical Pedagogy (Paolo Freire / bell hooks).  My PhD research and post-doctoral research was in the area of built environment and power relations, including geographies of surveillance and social control.

Current research interests

Utopianism and the Political Imagination as forms of inspired-learning within Communities of Practice. Currently I am involved / participating in an AHRC-funded Workshop of 'Utopia & Failure' (presenting at University of Newcastle, Sept 2024). I am also interested in the topics of 'Why learn?', epistemicide, and how to decolonise education for widening access and participation students.

Past research interests

Buildings and Power, Social Control, the Value Form of Housing Development under the Capitalist Mode of Production.

Knowledge exchange

I have worked as an External Examiner for Foundation and Pathway Programmes at other UK universities, providing insight and guidance from experience of teaching adult returners (within Open Learning contexts) for 25 years.

Project activity

I have undertaken 2 ESRC-funded research projects.  The first was as a Research Fellow, working with Prof Mike Pryke (Open University), on Financial Landownership in the UK.  The second was as Grant Holder and lead researcher on The Virtual Remake of High-Rise Housing.  The latter was awarded an 'Outstanding' assessment by ESRC, after which I acted as Consultant on the Environment and Behaviour theme for ESRC.

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