I am a BERA 2022 Doctoral Fellow, working on teacher conceptions around threshold concepts for climate change, in the University of York Science Education Group. My experience in science teaching and curriculum development within secondary schools have led me to develop an interest in the gap between evidence-based research and the experience of students and teachers in schools, particularly regarding pressing global socio-scientific issues such as climate change. I am particularly interested in the philosophy of education, education for social justice, curriculum development, critical pedagogy, subject specific CPD for teachers and the role of cognitive science in influencing curriculum development, sequencing and delivery.

I completed an BA in French with International Relations at Warwick University before becoming a secondary science teacher through the Teach First Leadership Development Programme. I have taught science in schools in Coventry, Manchester and Telford over the last nine years, as well as taking on a number of additional roles, most recently, curriculum development lead for Science. Alongside my teaching roles I completed a master’s degree in educational leadership at the University of Manchester, where my dissertation focused on barriers to learning in a natural environment (LINE) and pedagogical approaches to promote environmental education. I have also worked with Teach First as an Associate Tutor collaborating with university tutors to design and deliver their initial science teacher training program.