Richard McDonald

Richard is Assistant Principal for The Education Alliance, where he leads on professional development, literacy and the AI strategy across the trust. Since starting his career in education in 2013, he has held a range of leadership roles involving curriculum leadership, personal development and teacher development.

Alongside his leadership work, he is currently researching for a PhD at The University of Derby, building on his MBA research into LGBTQ+ teachers’ experience of leadership. Richard’s PhD research is focused on an intersectional analysis of LGBTQ+ teachers’ experiences of career progression, rooted in the belief that leaders have a responsibility to understand and challenge systemic barriers so that all colleagues can thrive.

He has both presented at and organised a number of conferences nationally, written several pieces for the Chartered College of Teaching, and contributed to the recently published LGBTQ+ Leadership in Education.