My research interests revolve around the interface between arts, culture and education, more recently also involving the sciences.
The Imagineerium Initiative (2017-2020) is a three-year Paul Hamlyn Funded arts-based learning project which engages primary school aged children as 'Young Imagineers' designing, alongside engineers and artists for a real commission. Our research is investigating the value of the project as an arts-based educational model in developing learner capabilities and dispositions, within and beyond the (STEAM) subjects it draws on. I recently worked on a Research Commission into STEAM education, funded by the British Educational Research Association. 'Reviewing the potential and challenges of developing STEAM education through creative pedagogies for 21st learning: how can school curricula be broadened towards a more responsive, dynamic, and inclusive form of education?' The report, resources and process of the commission can be found here.
I am completing a doctorate in Sociology investigating the significance of the practice of art-making as an educational model, with a particular focus upon the role of the body, affective and relational dimensions in learning. The thesis centres upon a case study of a pilot Imagineerium project.
My MPhil research into the role of artists in teacher education marked a longstanding interest in developing young people through creative and cultural experiences. It also informed my work as director of a creative learning programme (2004-2011) and the development of models for the ways in which professional artists engage with education as well as the facilitation of partnership working between the arts, schools, community and industry. I have conducted studies for several cultural organisations including The Barbican, The Arts Council, The Film Council, Imagineer Productions, Open Theatre and Highly Sprung Performance Company as well as Solihull and Warwickshire Local Authorities, investigating partnership practice, cultural education, creativity and learning.
Further information on my work can be found here.
Educational consultant and researcher with Imagineer Productions and Other Ways of Working
Creative Director for Creative Partnerships in Coventry and for Cre8us, CSWP in Coventry Solihull and Warwickshire 2004-11
Teacher educator (PGCE and BAQTS Drama, English and Professional Studies) and teacher
First Education Liaison Officer, Warwick Arts Centre.
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- Selected Publications
- Duffy, B. & Trowsdale, J. (2018 forthcoming) The Importance of Play and Explorative Learning in Primary Education, Cremin, T. and Arthur, J. Learning to teach in the Primary School 4th edition, Routledge
- Davies, R. and Trowsdale, J. (2017) The value of instability: lessons from reviewing how and why creativity and the arts might interact with STEM education, European Journal of Curriculum Studies, Vol 4 No.1 Click here
- Trowsdale, J. and Davies, R. (2017) The potential of A in STEAM for Curriculum development , Research Intelligence, British Educational Research Association, Issue 134 Click here
- Colucci-Gray, L., Burnard,P., Cooke, C., Davies, R., Gray, D. and Trowsdale, J. (2017) Reviewing the potential and challenges of developing STEAM education through creative pedagogies for C21st learning: How can school curricula be broadened towards a more responsive, dynamic and inclusive form of education? - BERA Research Commission report. Click here
- Trowsdale, J. (2016) Imagineering: Re-creating spaces through art-making, Creativity: Theories - Research - Applications. Volume 3, Issue 2, pp274-291, ISSN (Online) 2354- Click here
- Trowsdale, Jo, Hayhow, Richard, 2015. Psycho-physical theatre practice as embodied learning for young people with learning disabilities. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19 (10), pp. 1022-1036 Click here
- Trowsdale, Jo, Hayhow, Richard, 2013. Can mimetics, a theatre based practice, open possibilities for young people with learning disabilities - a capability approach?. British Journal of Special Education, Volume 40 (Number 2), pp. 72-79 Click here
- Trowsdale, Jo (2012) Creative teaching for creative learning : why, how and wow! Curriculum Briefing, Vol.10 (No.2). pp. 14-19. Click here
- Trowsdale, Jo, McKenna, Ursula, Francis, Leslie J., 2021. Teacher evaluation of the impact of The Imagineerium education project on the creativity of individual students : the Trowsdale Index of teacher observation of student creativity. Research in Education, 111 (1), pp. 70-79
- Davies, Richard, Trowsdale, Jo, 2021. The culture of disciplines : reconceptualising multi?subject curricula. British Educational Research Journal, 47 (5), pp. 1434-1446
- Trowsdale, Jo, McKenna, Ursula, Francis, Leslie J., 2019. Evaluating ?The Imagineerium' : the Trowsdale Indices of Confidence in Competence, Creativity and Learning (TICCCL). Thinking Skills and Creativity, 32, pp. 75-81
- Davies, Richard, Trowsdale, Jo, 2017. The value of instability : lessons from reviewing how and why creativity and the arts might interact with STEM education. European Journal of Curriculum Studies, 4 (1), pp. 582-600
- Trowsdale, Jo, 2016. Imagineering : re-creating spaces through collaborative art-making. Creativity: Theories-Research-Applications, 3 (2)
- Trowsdale, Jo, Hayhow, Richard, 2015. Psycho-physical theatre practice as embodied learning for young people with learning disabilities. International Journal of Inclusive Education, 19 (10), pp. 1022-1036
- Trowsdale, Jo, Hayhow, Richard, 2013. Can mimetics, a theatre based practice, open possibilities for young people with learning disabilities - a capability approach?. British Journal of Special Education, 40 (2), pp. 72-79
- Trowsdale, Jo, 2012. Creative teaching for creative learning : why, how and wow!. Curriculum Briefing, Vol.10 (No.2), pp. 14-19
- Hayhow, Richard, Trowsdale, Jo, 2012. The elusive butterfly : the challenge of developing a framework for evaluating the impact of drama work upon the social, personal and learning growth of children in a special school setting. Siberian Journal of Special Education, 2012 (2)
- Trowsdale, Jo, 2010. Growing facilitators of creative learning : systems, models and human art. 6th Global Conference : creative engagements with children, Oxford, UK, 3-5 Jul 2010
- 'Trowsdale, Jo, 2019. 'Art-making as a site for education : a case study of the Imagineerium project.
- Colucci-Gray, Laura, Burnard, Pam, Cooke, Caroline, Davies, Richard, Gray, Donald, Trowsdale, Jo, 2017. Reviewing the potential and challenges of developing STEAM education through creative pedagogies for 21st century learning : how can school curricula be broadened towards a more responsive, dynamic and inclusive form of education?. British Educational Research Association
- Trowsdale, Jo, Winston, Joe, Lindsay, Geoff, 2005. Cultivating creativity?. University of Warwick
Title | Funder | Award start | Award end |
---|---|---|---|
Teach-Make | Paul Hamlyn Foundation | 01 Sept 2020 | 31 Jul 2022 |
Arts Based Imbodied learning in maufactoring: Premier - Warwick: Premier School of Imagineering Apprentices / Craft School | Premier Group (Coventry) Limited | 01 Nov 2018 | 31 Oct 2021 |
The Imagineerium Initiative for PHF (Evaluation of: More and Better Funding strand: re. strengthening and sharing evidence.) | The Godiva Awakes Trust | 01 Feb 2017 | 31 Jan 2020 |
The Imagineerium Project a virtual and experiential learning resource for Primary education. | Imagineer Productions | 01 Oct 2013 | 28 Feb 2014 |
Design and Evaluation on a science and physical movement KS1 & 2 | Cre8us Limited : Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership | 01 Jan 2012 | 31 Dec 2012 |
Service Contract with Cre8Us & Jo Trowsdale | Cre8us Limited : Coventry, Solihull and Warwickshire Partnership | 01 Jun 2011 | 31 Dec 2011 |
Teaching Creatively and Teaching for Creativity through the Arts in Solihull Research Project | Solihull Metropolitan Borough Council | 01 Jan 2004 | 31 Jul 2005 |