Biography
Dan’s background is as a sociologist and educator. He was awarded his doctorate in 2008, and worked for several years teaching in Birmingham secondary schools and universities and leading informal education projects with community groups.
Profile
Research Interests
Dan’s research background is in the sociology of religion, and he has published pieces on ‘New Age’ religions and the ‘Religious Right’ in the USA. More recently he has been researching, and supervising research about, the nexus of schooling, values and identities in the UK.
Teaching
Dan teaches across a range of modules, with particular emphasis on social and cultural theory, play and creativity, professional reflection and knowledge transfer. He is presently supervising doctorates about Sikh Spirituality in Early Years education and about Students’ Experiences of Performativity in the RE classroom.
Administrative Responsibilities
Dan serves as Link Tutor for the FD Sendip At Solihull College and is External Examiner for the WCYF programme at Staffordshire University. He also coordinates Work-Related Learning and volunteering for Working With Children, Young People and Families and is always interested to hear from organizations willing to host student volunteers.
Membership of Professional Organisations
Dan is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, a member of the South Birmingham branch of the Woodcraft Folk, an institutional member of Children’s Quarter and a governor at St Michael’s Primary School, Bartley Green.
Other Activities
Other Activities
Research supervision:
EdD Kiah Bond (Research Advisor): A Case Study Exploring Secondary School Students Lived Experiences of the Effects of Performativity (Ongoing).
EdD Kulwant Singh (Research Advisor) The Role of Religious Spirituality in Early Years: A Sikh Perspective
Recent Conference Papers:
No Laughing Matter: Unpacking Neurotypical Syndrome. At Neurodiversity and Justice Conference on the 14th June 2024 at Birmingham Newman University organised by the Newman Centre for Community and Social Justice.
Articles in Peer-Reviewed Journals
Pihlaja, Stephen; Whisker, Dan & Vickerage-Goddard, Lisa (2022) Categories in Discourse about Church of England Primary Education, Religion & Education, 49:3
Whisker, Dan (2013) ‘The Possibility of Shamanism: a genealogy of anthropological appropriations’ History & Anthropology 12:2
Whisker, Dan (2012) ‘Apocalyptic Rhetoric on the Religious Right: quasi-charisma & anti-charisma’ Max Weber Studies 24:3
Books
Whisker, Dan; Pihlaja, Stephen & Lisa Vickerage-Goddard. (2020) Diversity and Success in Church Schools. Cambridge: Grove Books.
Chapters in Books
Whisker, Dan & Winn-Oakley, Maureen (2020) ‘Children’s Voices, Children’s Rights’ in Working with Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families. (Eds. Cronin, M and Brotherton, G). Oxford: Routledge
Whisker, Dan (2017) ‘Society’ ‘Power’ & ‘Hegemony’ in Education Studies: The key concepts. (Eds. Trotman, D., Lees H., Willoughby, R.) Oxford: Routledge
Key Publications
Pihlaja, Stephen; Whisker, Dan & Vickerage-Goddard, Lisa (2022) Categories in Discourse about Church of England Primary Education, Religion & Education, 49:3
Whisker, Dan; Pihlaja, Stephen & Lisa Vickerage-Goddard. (2020) Diversity and Success in Church Schools. Cambridge: Grove Books.
Whisker, Dan & Winn-Oakley, Maureen (2020) ‘Children’s Voices, Children’s Rights’ in Working with Vulnerable Children, Young People and Families. (Eds. Cronin, M and Brotherton, G). Oxford: Routledge
Whisker, Dan (2017) ‘Society’ ‘Power’ & ‘Hegemony’ in Education Studies: The key concepts. (Eds. Trotman, D., Lees H., Willoughby, R.) Oxford: Routledge
Whisker, Dan (2013) ‘The Possibility of Shamanism: a genealogy of anthropological appropriations’ History & Anthropology 12:2
Whisker, Dan (2012) ‘Apocalyptic Rhetoric on the Religious Right: quasi-charisma & anti-charisma’ Max Weber Studies 24:3