Main research and teaching interests:

• Science teacher development (secondary education)
• Secondary initial teacher education
• STEM education
• Developing inclusive schools and teachers
• Qualitative Data Generation and Analysis
• Collaborative action research

I have been first supervisor for 10 completed PhDs in Education, and currrently I am first supervisor for three more doctoral students, and co-supervisor to another two. Doctoral supervision requires a combination of my capacities across different fields.

International experience:

• 2020-24: Expert steerting group member of MOST, an EU FP7 project on open schooling and STEM
• 2013-17: Advisory board member of MASCIL, an EU FP7 project on enquiry based learning and workplace learning in science and maths
• 2008-15: Science curriculum and teacher development in Egypt
• 2010-13: Co-PI in Manchester for Primas FP7 project on enquiry-based learning in science and maths
• 2009-11: member of Comenius project on science and maths education
• 2003-06 : consultant, DfID-funded school improvement project in Beijing
• 2003-06 : member of European-funded project on inclusive education (Lisbon)
• 1998-2001: PhD research on grassroots international collaboration through volunteering (Indonesian context)

I started academic life as an engineer, being awarded a first in Engineering (MA Cambridge) and working for British Rail. I then moved fields to train as a science teacher, completing a PGCE in Oxford University, and worked in schools in disadvantaged areas in the UK for four years, and in Indonesia with VSO for three years as a science teacher and teacher trainer.

I came to Manchester to complete an MSc Educational Research in 1996 and continued on to a PhD in Education here. For six years I worked as a research associate on development and research projects relating to inclusive education, with an action research element. In 2004 I became a lecturer in science education and have continued to develop my research in relation to science education and disadvantage as a senior lecturer.

Science and maths education and teacher education

Main projects:

'Visions' review of curriculum and assessment for the Royal Society (2013)

Co-PI: Primas EU FP7 project, Promoting Inquiry in Maths and Science Education (2010-2013)

Co-PI: Compass EU Comenius project on interdisciplinary science and maths education (2009-11)

Developing inclusive schools: Co-director of ESRC-funded research project 'Facilitating Teacher Engagement in More Inclusive Practice' with Trinity College Carmarthen, 2005-07)