Research in STEM education

In addition to scientific research, the School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences also has strengths in pedagogic research (particularly within the STEM disciplines) and our research in this area primarily focuses on understanding and improving the student experience, provision of online materials, practical skills and employment skills. Online delivery of teaching material is increasingly popular and offers a fertile ground for research.

Our funders include eSTEeM at The Open University, the Higher Education Academy and The Royal Society of Chemistry.

Key themes of our research include: 

• Assessment, encompassing assessment praxis, policy, assessment design, and engagement with assessment processes
• Distance learning, distance teaching, including remote experimentation
• Graduate skills
• Widening participation
• Work-based learning, focusing on training in the workplace, working alongside employers to provide training, and vocational training.

Entry requirements

Minimum 2:1 undergraduate degree (or equivalent). If you are not a UK citizen, you may need to prove your knowledge of English. 

Potential research projects

• Work-based learning: the effect of employer (workplace) support on student success
• Teaching practical skills at a distance – developing remote experimentation platforms

Current/recent research projects

• Graduate skills in chemistry: online delivery and assessment 
• The use of peer assessment/review in distance teaching via the Moodle VLE
• Online context-based learning activities to improve the engagement of international students
• Going with the (remote) flow – teaching practical chemistry at a distance
• Enabling access to the chemistry curriculum for visually impaired students

Potential supervisors

• Dr Duncan Banks
• Dr Martin Bootman – graduate skills
• Dr Diane Butler
• Dr Nick Chatterton – distance learning
• Dr Simon Collinson – education in chemistry, distance learning
• Dr Eleanor Crabb – education in chemistry, distance learning, graduate skills
• Dr Sarah Daniell
• Dr Hannah Gauci
• Dr Vikki Haley-Mirnar
• Dr Rob Janes
• Dr Claire Kotecki – widening participation distance learning
• Dr Katherine Leys
• Dr Louise MacBrayne
• Dr Nicola McIntyre
• Dr Fi Moorman
• Dr Payam Rezaie – assessment, postgraduate training
• Dr Claire Rostron – assessment
• Dr Maria Velasco-Garcia – distance learning, work-based learning

Fees and funding

For detailed information about fees and funding, visit Fees and studentships.

To see current funded studentship vacancies across all research areas, see Current studentships.

Links

• School of Life, Health and Chemical Sciences
• Exploring the frontiers of STEM education