Meet The Education Researcher

Audrey Watters is a legendary critical voice in the world of education and technology. In this episode we talk about Audrey’s new book – ‘Teaching Machines’ - a history of the automation of education coming out with MIT Press in early 2021. We also talk about Audrey’s work as an independent scholar and writer, and dealing with the online misogyny provoked by being a female critical voice.

Prof. Tamara Moore (Purdue University) discusses her career in the area of Engineering Education – especially her work in developing ‘Engineering thinking’ in K-12 classrooms. We talk about the importance of context in getting children interested in science and maths, why we need to move beyond talk of a ‘STEM pipeline’, and why we all need to appreciate the role that engineers play in shaping everyday life.

Schools are now increasingly shaped by market forces and commercial interests. Listen to Dr. Anna Hogan (UQ) talk about the fast-changing privatization of public schooling. We discuss the diverse ways that private actors are now involved in schools, the difficulties of researching commercial activities in education, and how big corporations have quickly moved to redefine COVID-era schooling.

The coronavirus has pushed families, schools and researchers into new ways of doing things. Listen to John Potter (UCL) talk about how the COVID lockdowns are prompting new questions about children’s play, and the experience of remote schooling. We also talk about the future of academic travel, and new UCL research into academics’ experiences of moving to online teaching and home-working.

EdTech has been a key aspect of remote schooling during the COVID-19 lockdowns. How have schools and families been making use of digital technologies so far, and what might the longer term consequences be for education? Listen to highlights from an online seminar (24/06/20) with Felicitas Macgilchrist (Germany), Ben Williamson (UK) & Neil Selwyn (Australia)

Ola Erstad (University of Olso) is a leading researcher in the area of media education. We talk about how young people learn outside of schools, the ‘media literacies’ approach, and Ola’s emerging interest in pre-school children and digital technology.

Jeremy Knox is part of Edinburgh University's innovative 'Digital Education' research team. In this conversation, we cover Jeremy’s research into MOOCS, what makes for successful online teaching, as well as his interest in ‘post human’ perspectives on technology and education.

Mental health is a priority issue across every level of education – with rising levels of depression, anxiety and stress amongst all age groups. Listen to Dr. Christine Grove (Monash University) talk about her varied research focusing on young people, schools and mental health. We talk about the importance of participatory research approaches, as well Christine’s innovative work with therapy dogs and Chat Bots.

Prof. Sian Bayne (University of Edinburgh) is one of the leading critical voices in the area of online teaching and higher education. We talk about why we are living in post-digital times, the benefits of post-humanist approaches, Edinburgh’s ‘Manifesto For Teaching Online … and the post-Brexit prospects for UK higher education.

Let's think about schools in terms of power and interests! Geert Kelchtermans (KU Leuven) discusses the working lives of teachers and principals - and how individual experiences are shaped by organisational contexts. We talk about school micropolitics, the ‘structural vulnerability’ of teaching, and the benefits of paying close attention to teachers’ narrative biographies.