Professor Judith Bennett
Biography
I joined the Department of Educational Studies in 1990, though my connections with the University go back further than this, as I studied Chemistry-with-Education and took my Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PCCE) at York. I then spent eight years as a secondary science teacher, mainly in London. During this period, I studied part-time for an MA and then a PhD, at King’s College in London, researching gender issues in science education.
My research interests have their origins in my experiences as a classroom teacher, where I wanted as many young people as possible to enjoy the science they do and see how it relates to their lives. I am particularly interested in attitudes to science, the evaluation of aspects of curriculum development, and undertaking systematic reviews of research evidence in science education. I have also worked on a number of national and international science curriculum development projects. My work has led me into collaborations with colleagues in Germany, South Africa and the USA.I have served as Chair of the Research Committee of the Association for Science Education (ASE).
Research interests
- attitudes to science
- evaluation of aspects of curriculum development
- systematic reviews of research evidence in science education
Selected publications
Bennett, J. (2008) The evidence on attitudes towards science and mathematics for 14-19 year-olds. In: The Royal Society State of the Nation report: science and mathematics education, 14-19. pp 171-179. London: The Royal Society.
Bennett, J., Lubben, F. and Hogarth, S. (2007) Bringing science to life: a synthesis of the research evidence on the effects of context-based and STS approaches to science teaching. Science Education, 91 (3), 347-370.
Bennett, J., Burden, J., Campbell, P., Millar, R., Osborne, J. and Swinbank, E. (2006) Looking Forward: Making Key Stage 3 Science Work. York: Centre for Innovation and Research in Science Education, University of York.
Bennett, J. and Lubben, F. (2006) Context-based chemistry: the Salters approach. International Journal of Science Education, 28 (9), 999-1015.
Bennett, J., Holman, J., Millar, R. and Waddington, D. (2005) (eds.) Making a difference: evaluation as a tool for improving science education. Münster, Germany: Waxmann. pp224.
Bennett, J., Lubben, F., Hogarth, S. and Campbell, B. (2005) Systematic reviews of research in science education: rigour or rigidity? International Journal of Science Education, 27 (4), 387-406.
Bennett, J. (2003) Teaching and learning science: a guide to recent research and its applications. London: Continuum.
Bennett, J. (2003) Evaluation methods in research. London: Continuum.
Consultancy
Report on attitudes to science and mathematics for the Royal Society.
Professional activities
Editorial Board of the International Journal of Science Education.
Research Centre
Centre for Innovation and Research in Science Education
PhD projects supervised
Completed studies:
Mustafa Sozbilir: A study of undergraduates’ understandings of key chemical ideas in thermodynamics
Josette Farrugia: An investigation of 16 to 18-year-old students’ difficulties with thermochemistry calculations
Declan Kennedy: An investigation of student teachers’ teaching of difficult ideas in chemistry
Current studies:
Evaluation of Green Chemistry initiatives in Malta
Curriculum change in science education in Mexico
Factors affecting participation in secondary schooling in Mexico
International Links
Research and curriculum development work with colleagues in Germany and South Africa.