M. Danish (Dany) Shakeel is Professor of Education Policy and Director of the Centre for Education Policy at the University of Buckingham. He leads the University’s online MA Education Policy and Leadership by Research and is a research affiliate of the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard University.
His research examines education policy, school choice, accountability, educational inequality and achievement gaps, public opinion and the politics of education, systematic review and meta-analysis, social capital, civic and non-cognitive outcomes, and religious education. His work has appeared in peer-reviewed education, psychology and economics journals.
Before joining Buckingham, he was a Postdoctoral Research Fellow in the Program on Education Policy and Governance at Harvard Kennedy School. He completed his PhD in Education Policy at the University of Arkansas. His research has been presented at major academic and public-policy conferences and has contributed to international debates about education reform, inequality and the evaluation of education systems.
Selected media and public engagement
- The Education Exchange: Public Education’s No Good, Very Bad Century (So Far)
- The Washington Times: Study finds private religious schools produce more engaged citizens than public schools.
- USA Today: You’re not imagining it: Kids today really are smarter than we were. Test scores prove it.
- The Washington Post: Do you think our schools are worse than ever? You’re wrong.
Programme leadership
Professor Shakeel leads the MA Education Policy and Leadership by Research (Online), a one-year research degree designed for working professionals internationally. The programme combines education-policy and research-methods development with a supervised dissertation on a question relevant to the student’s country, organisation or professional setting. It is delivered entirely online through twelve live 90-minute webinars, normally held on alternate Saturdays at 09:00 UK time, together with flexible independent study between scheduled activities and assessment deadlines. Students can complete the MA from their country of residence; no relocation, UK travel or campus attendance is required. Academic supervision is assigned according to the approved dissertation project.
View the MA Education Policy and Leadership by Research course | Download the 2026-27 course handbook
Admission related inquiries about the program should be sent to the Vinson Centre administrative contact Kate Bones kate.bones@buckingham.ac.uk.
MA and Professional Doctorate pathway
Prospective students interested in advanced study in education policy can begin with the University’s one-year, fully online MA Education Policy and Leadership by Research. Designed for working professionals internationally, the MA combines education-policy analysis, research-methods development and an original supervised dissertation.
Students who successfully complete the MA will be able to enter the University’s Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Political Economy at Module Four, the supervised research-thesis stage undertaken from the second academic year. This provides a defined pathway from the MA into the second year of doctoral study without repeating Modules One to Three. Entry remains subject to the University’s admissions requirements and academic regulations, including rules governing the use or return of awards, approval of the proposed topic and the availability of appropriate supervision.
The Professional Doctorate is designed for people working, or previously working, in public-policy practice. Module Four consists of an approved research thesis of approximately 55,000-65,000 words related to public policy, political economy or the student’s professional field. Academic supervisors are appointed through the programme. Applicants entering at Module Four should confirm the registration, attendance and award requirements that apply to their route.
Applications and admissions decisions are handled through the University’s formal programme procedures. Applicants should use the relevant course page and Apply Now route rather than sending an informal doctoral proposal directly to an individual member of staff. Admission related inquiries about the programme should be sent to the Vinson Centre administrative contact Kate Bones at kate.bones@buckingham.ac.uk.
MA Education Policy and Leadership by Research | Professional Doctorate in Public Policy and Political Economy | Email Kate Bones
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