Biography
Click on the links below for Social Media or other Research Profiles
Twitter; ResearchGate; LinkedIn; Academia.edu; ORCID;
I am currently a Research Officer in the Department of Education at the University of Oxford.
I completed my PhD research under the supervision of Dr Orla McCormack and Prof Sibel Erduran in the School of Education and National Centre for STEM Education (EPISTEM) at the University of Limerick, Ireland. My research, which was funded by the Irish Research Council, focused on the role of pre-service science teachers' epistemic beliefs (in their subject domain and in Education Studies) in influencing their perceptions of Education Studies usefulness for professional thought and practice. [Viva due early October].
Broadly, I am interested in teacher education, science education, epistemic beliefs, and argumentation. I am particularly curious about teachers' (pre-service and in-service) perceptions and use of Education Studies/educational research, and the multitude of reasons for these perceptions.
Research Interests
- Teacher Education; perceptions 'Education Studies' / 'Foundation Studies', Theory-practice divide in the teaching profession
- Personal Epistemologies/Epistemic Beliefs; teachers beliefs about the nature of knowledge and knowing, particular in Science and Education Studies
- Science Education/Science Teacher Education
- Continuum of Teacher Education/Professional Learning
Research Projects
STeP into Science: Engaging Students, Teachers and Parents in Scientific Debates, Science Foundation Ireland (2016)
Chain Reaction: A Sustainable Approach to Inquiry Based Science Education, FP7 Funded Project (2015-2016)
Professional Development Report: A Snapshot Of Non-accredited Continuing Professional Development For Those Who Teach In Irish Higher Education, National Forum for the Enhancement of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (2015)
Teacher Education Resource Development
Learning How to Teach Scientific Practices: A Professional Development Resource - Resource Design (2016)
Teaching Resource Development
"Science Scope" School Supplements, 9 issues/yr, Irish Independent Newspaper (with EPI*STEM Science Ed Team) (AY14/15 - AY17/18)
Teaching Interests
Teaching/Tutoring:
EN6152 - Understanding Teaching and Learning (Masters Yr1)
Module Coordination
EN4006 - Curriculum Studies (AY16/17)
EN4015 - Currriculum and Policy Studies (AY16/17)
Professional Activities
Association
- 2017 Member, National Association for Research in Science Teaching
- 2017 Member, European Science Education Research Association
- 2016 Member, International History, Philosophy, and Science Teaching Group
- Registered Teacher, Teaching Council
- Member, Education Studies Association of Ireland
- Member, Irish Science Teachers' Association
- Member, American Educational Research Association
Award
- 2016 - Irish Research Council Postgraduate Funding
- 2016 - Fellowship for IHPST Europe 2016
- 2015 - EHS Support Funding
- 2014 - Deans' Award - All Ireland Conference for Undergraduate Research
- 2012 - Outstanding Achievement Award - President's Volunteer Award
- 2011 - Outstanding Achievement Award - President's Volunteer Award
Employment
- 2016 School of Education - Module Coordinator
- 2015 Chain Reaction (EPI*STEM) - Research Assistant
- 2014 School of Education - Module Tutor
Committee
- 2016 Athena SWAN Committee (School of Education),
- 2015 Social Media Platform Committee (School of Education),
- 2015 Research Engagement Group (Teaching Council),
- 2015 Research Committee (School of Education),
- EHS Structured PhD Course Board,
Education
- 2010 University of Limerick - Bachelor of Science Education