Meet the team

Our highly regarded team works with the primary education sector.

Research has identified the primary age range as the time when children 'switch off' from science and are often unaware of the career opportunities that science industries can offer.

We provide solutions to these problems, via our Children Challenging Industry programme and our careers and industry contextualised publications. We also work with partners such as the Oxford Trust (Thinking Doing Talking Science), STEM Learning, and many others to ensure children's enthusiasm for science is maintained and their aspirations for STEM careers broadened.

Joy Parvin - Director

I have been working with CIEC since 1992, having started writing resource materials as a teacher two years previously. I am responsible for the overall strategy, business planning, finance and fundraising, direction and management of CIEC.

In addition, I sit on a number of education committees, contribute to national and international conferences to provide professional development consultation, and disseminate the work of CIEC.

Jo Eastwood - Administrator

In 2019, after nine years at the University as PA to the Head of the Department of Chemistry, I joined CIEC as Administrator. I love the diversity of the role, and no two days are ever the same with a fast-changing pace that keeps me on my toes!

I am responsible for overseeing all aspects of CIEC’s administration, and provide support to the Director and a team of colleagues to ensure the smooth and efficient running of the office.

I also contribute to the development of new systems and initiatives, and assist with the design and creation of promotional materials for both printed and online publications and resources.

Jane Winter - Professional Development Leader

I joined CIEC in 2014 after many years teaching and leading science in Lincolnshire schools. My role includes developing and leading hands-on practical courses for teachers at the STEM Learning Centre and around the country.

I mentor on several online science-based courses which are accessed by teachers from around the world, and also write and edit publications for EYFS and primary science teachers.

Nicola Waller - Professional Development Leader

My current role with CIEC has evolved since starting as an advisory teacher for the Children Challenging Industry programme in 2004. I now also plan, lead and present a wide range of exciting training packages for primary teachers, mainly at the National STEM Learning Centre in York, but also at courses and conferences around the country.

In addition to this, I write and edit educational resources for teachers, many linking with industry and making the real world accessible to primary-aged children.

Mackayla Millar - Advisory Teacher

I joined CIEC in February 2020 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the North East to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

I provide CPD for teachers on raising the science capital of all children through meaningful links to industry, and support STEM professionals to host school visits that provide curriculum-relevant interactions unique to their company.

I have also written the IndusTRY AT HOME series of educational resources, designed to develop children’s scientific skills and to bring some of our exciting range of activities to children learning from home.

Clare Draper - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC team in September 2023 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the East of England to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

Alongside this, I teach in a new, STEM-focused primary school in Cambridge as the Curriculum Development Lead.

Melanie Boyeson - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC team in September 2022 as an advisory teacher to deliver the Children Challenging Industry programme. I work with schools and industry partners in the Humber region to deliver science activities set within real-world industrial contexts.

In addition, I mentor primary science leaders through an award accreditation programme / the Primary Science Quality Mark, have the Associate Facilitator badge for STEM Learning, and have compiled and shared online STEM educational resources. I was awarded the PSTT Primary Science Teaching Award 2021, becoming a Primary Science Teaching Trust Fellow, after a decade of leading primary science forwards in my school and local area.

Ruth Duberley - Advisory Teacher

I joined the CIEC team in April 2024 as an Advisory Teacher, successfully delivering a school partnership project in collaboration with STEM Ambassadors. I am now delighted to take on the responsibility of leading the Children Challenging Industry programme, working closely with industries and schools across the North West. My aim is to inspire primary school children by demonstrating how science is applied in real-life industry contexts, helping them see its relevance both now and in the future. I am passionate about changing children’s perceptions of science, encouraging them to engage with the subject, pursue further education in STEM, and consider careers in scientific fields.

I am a highly experienced primary teacher, having led science in multiple schools, including in my current school, where I have taught part-time for 12 years. In addition to my work with CIEC, I also deliver CPD training to schools as a Professional Development Lead for STEM Learning, supporting the improvement of science teaching and learning.

Maria Turkenburg-van Diepen

We are delighted to once again be working closely with Maria who was our researcher from 2016-2020. Since then, she has continued to support other CIEC researchers and has been part of the Research Advisory Group.

Maria is interested in evaluation research methodology, teacher agency, and children’s experiences of science and industry. The focus of her other research, which is on-going alongside her work for CIEC, is more and more on environmental education, with colleagues in the Department of Environment and Geography as well as Education.

Helen Harden - Curriculum Developer

I joined CIEC as a curriculum developer in Autumn 2023 following several years as chemistry lead on the Best Evidence Science Teaching project. My role includes extensive searching and reading of the research literature on children’s misconceptions in science. I interpret and summarise what I discover to support the development of educational resources.