Profile

Biography

I joined the Department of Education in 2013 as part of the University of York Science Education Group (UYSEG). I have extensive experience in the development of school science curricula, assessments, and teaching and learning resources for students aged 11-18.

Departmental roles

Currently, I am the lead biologist for two large, research-informed curriculum development projects: Twenty First Century Science for KS4/GCSE, and Best Evidence Science Teaching (BEST) for KS3. Both of these projects focus on improving engagement, developing scientific literacy and the effective use of embedded formative assessment. I am also working on research into the teaching and learning of genomics in schools.

Career

Previously, I worked at the awarding organisation OCR, first as Qualification Leader for A-Level Biology and Human Biology, and then as Qualifications Manager for GCSE Sciences. I studied biology at the University of Durham, followed by doctoral research in immunology and biotechnology at the University of Cambridge.

Research

Research group(s)

• University of York Science Education Group (UYSEG)

Research projects

• Viewed as a whole: Syntheses of research evidence and teaching support resources related to genomics education in schools (in partnership with the Wellcome Genome Campus Public Engagement Team)

Research-informed curriculum development projects

• Twenty First Century Science
• Best Evidence Science Teaching (BEST)

External activities

Memberships

• Member of the Curriculum Committee of the Royal Society of Biology
• Member of the Royal Society of Biology
• Member of the Biology Education Research Group (BERG)
• Member of the Association for Science Education

Assessment

• Senior examiner for OCR GCSE Biology B (Twenty First Century Science)

Consultancy

• Member of the KS2 Science Test Review Group at the Standards and Testing Agency (STA)
• Resource development for Science and Plants for Schools (SAPS)
• Resource development for OCR