Dr John Kirkman
Senior Academic Developer
BEng, PGCE, MA, Conversion Diploma in Psychology, PhD.
Contact Details
Academic Development Centre, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 8UW | Find us on the interactive map
External: 024 76 5 75341 | Internal: 75341
Biography
John began his career in secondary education as a teacher of science and physics. After completing his MA in Educational Studies at the University of Warwick he joined the University of Birmingham as Lecturer in Science Education where he led the PGDipEd (QTS) programmes in Science: Physics and Physics with Mathematics. John completed his PhD in the School of Education while at the University of Birmingham. He has experience of MA and PhD supervision and assessment. He has been an external examiner at three institutions. John is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
In his current role John leads on the Academic and Professional Pathway (APP EXP) which is one of Warwick's routes to AdvanceHE/HEA Fellowship. He also works with mentors and assessors who are based across the University and who support colleagues registered on APP EXP. He contributes to APP TE and the assessment of APP PGR.
Interests
John's interests include Physics education, learning study, Variation Theory and Phenomenography. His PhD is on the topic of education in science and understanding of uncertainty. He is currently contributing to online materials intended to support colleagues who are interested in developing their assessment approaches.
Publications
Davies, P., Connolly, M., Nelson, J., Hulme, M., Kirkman, J. and Greenway, C. (2016) ‘Letting the right one in’: Provider contexts for recruitment to initial teacher education in the United Kingdom. Teaching and Teacher Education, 60, pp.291-302.
Grants/Recognition
Nottingham Birmingham Strategic Collaboration Fund (2015/2016): Using Lesson Study to develop Inquiry Based Learning in Secondary Science Initial Teacher Education (Award £2640).
Universitas 21 Staff Fellowship (with University of Hong Kong) 2014/2015
Part of University of Birmingham Initial Teacher Education team gaining Ofsted ‘Outstanding’ grade: 2008, 2011 and 2013
Conference Papers
Delbauve, M. and Kirkman, J.R. (2016). Improving teaching through Learning Study - Learning through variation. University of Birmingham School of Education Research and Scholarship Conference July 2015.
Davis, P. and Kirkman, J.R. (2016) External horizons and major changes in conception: some relationships between Variation Theory and other perspective. EARLI SIG 9, Phenomenography and Variation Theory, Conference, University of Gothenburg, 24-26 August, 2016.
Kirkman, J.R. (2016) Integrating Variation Theory and Learning Study into Pre-Service Teacher Education. EARLI SIG 9, Phenomenography and Variation Theory, Conference, University of Gothenburg, 24-26 August, 2016.
Kirkman, J.R. (2015) What do you want to teach?: Identifying Objects of Learning using Learning Outcome Circles. University of Birmingham School of Education Research and Scholarship Conference July 2015.
Davies, P. and Kirkman, J. (2015) Variation theory and the empowerment of teachers and learners. 16th Biennial EARLI Conference for Research on Learning and Instruction 25-29 August 2015 Limassol, Cyprus.
Kirkman, J.R. (2012) "Decisions about likelihood of veracity of news reports of science: The contribution of advanced knowledge of science." Paper presented at Researchers sharing with researchers. National Science Learning Centre, University of York, York. 2-4 July 2012.
Kirkman, J.R. (2011) “Pre-service teachers’ use of heuristics to evaluate scientific claims in Web-based news stories.” Paper presented at European Science Education Research Association Biannual Conference. Lyon, France. 5-9 September 2011.