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About us

SCiLAB is a centre of innovation and thought leadership in the fields of Business and Law.

Our work promotes research and innovation in open and distance learning, as well as best practice sharing, both within and outside of The Open University.

Our aims

  • Develop research into online teaching and learning that enhances and informs policy and practice
  • Promote equality, diversity and inclusion in our activities, operations and partnerships
  • Enable practitioner-led, evidence-based research which enhances the student experience in open and distance education

The SCiLAB Team

The SCiLAB team manage the Centre and its operations.

Dr Jacqueline Baxter

Dr Jacqueline Baxter, Director

Jacqueline is Associate Professor of Public Policy and Management in the Department of Public Leadership and Social Enterprise at the Open University Business School.

She is the author of numerous articles on online pedagogy and Co Editor of the book, 'Creativity and Critique in Online Learning: Exploring and Examining Innovations in Online Pedagogy’ (Baxter et al, 2018), which is in the top ten of Palgrave’s most downloaded books in the subject area. Her research interests lie in the areas of public management and governance, and she has over 30 years of experience in the writing and design of online courses and modules. She is Principal Fellow of The Higher Education Academy, Fellow of The Academy of Social Sciences and Elected Council Member of BELMAS and was Editor in Chief of the Sage journal Management in Education (MiE) for 4 years. Her current funded research projects examine the interrelationship between trust, accountability and capacity in improving learning outcomes; and the strategic management of online learning in secondary schools during and beyond Covid-19. She tweets @DrJacqueBaxter and more of her work can be found on her academic profile. Her latest book is: 'Trust, Accountability and Capacity in Education System Reform' (Routledge, 2020).

Dr Helen Selby-Fell

Dr Helen Selby-Fell, Deputy Director

Helen is a Senior Lecturer in the Department of Policing Organisation and Practice (POP), where she is Module Chair and involved in both production design and presentation for a number of policing related modules. In addition, Helen is (co) Lead for Research & Scholarship for the POP Department, and a member of the POP Leadership Team. Helen works closely with the Centre for Police Research & Learning (CPRL) and is currently involved in a number of research endeavours. Helen’s professional career specialised in research and analysis in the police service (where she held the roles of Head of Analysis and Director of Commissioning, Policy & Research for most of her career in the police service). Helen’s academic career and research interests have centred around both ‘evidence based policing’, and forensic (investigative) psychology.

Kate Bunker

Kate Bunker, Operations Manager

Kate manages the overall operation of SCiLAB, including all financial management, liaising with central committees and working groups, in addition to monitoring the progress of proposals and projects. She is responsible for promoting and facilitating the work of the Centre through the delivery of events and various communication channels, both internally and external to the University.