Making a Difference in Theory The theory question in education and the education question in theory Theorizing Education Series

Making a Difference in Theory brings together original work from an international group of authors on the roles of theory in educational research and practice. The book discusses the different roles theory plays, can play and should play, both from a historical perspective and in light of contemporary discussions and developments.

Particular attention is paid to the question of whether there are or should be distinctively educational forms of theory and theorising. The double engagement with the theory question in education and the education question in theory and theorising provides original insights in what theory does, might do or should do in educational research and practice.

With contributions from internationally renowned authors in the field of educational theory, research and practice, the book will be of value to academics, researchers and postgraduate students in education.

Part I: The Contextual Presence of Theory The Empirical and the Political 'Fact' of Theory in the Social and Educational Sciences Thomas S. Popkewitz. Challenges of Educational Theory in the Age of Knowledge Capitalism Lisbeth Lundahl. Between Universally Claimed Theory and Common Understanding: Theoretical Knowledge in Education Daniel Tröhler. The Changing Field of Educational Studies and the Task of Theorising Education Joannes BellmannPart II: The Practice of Doing Theory Theories have Consequences, Don’t They? On the Moral Nature of Educational Theory and Research Deborah Gallagher.Bildung and Educational Language: Talking of 'the Self' in Anglo-American Education Norm Friesen. On the Theoretical Limits of Education Alexander M. SidorkinPart III: Refractions on and Agendas for Theory Educational Theory and the Practice of Critique Robin Usherand Anna Anderson. The Excess of Theory: On the Functions of Educational Theory in Apparent Reality Tomasz Szkudlarek. Speaking Educationally about Teacher Education Anne M. Phelan. Teaching Theories Lynn Fendler. Towards an Agenda for Theoretical Interventions in Education Julie Allan, Richard Edwards and Gert Biesta.

Gert Biesta is Professor of Educational Theory and Policy at the University of Luxembourg, Luxembourg, and editor-in-chief of Studies in Philosophy and Education.

Julie Allan is Professor of Equity and Inclusion at the University of Birmingham, UK, and Visiting Professor of Education at the University of Borås, Sweden.

Richard Edwards is Professor of Education at the School of Education, University of Stirling, Scotland, UK.