Alison Cullinane
Lecturer of Biology Education

Background
ALISON CULLINANE
I am currently a Lecturer in Biology Education at the School of Biological Science.
Prior to joining the school in 2022, I was a post-doctoral researcher at the department of education, University of Oxford. In 2019, I successfully became a Departmental Lecturer in Science Education at the department of education, University of Oxford and had a college affiliation with St Antony's College.
After completing my undergraduate in Science Education at the University of Limerick, I taught secondary schools in Ireland before returning to complete my Master's in Science Education and her PhD in Science Education. My PhD research examined the development of pre-service teachers’ understanding of the Nature of Science. While at the University of Limerick, I held the position of Project Officer in Biological Sciences at EPI-STEM (formally the NCE-MSTL), the national STEM Education centre. One of the main aspects of my work was to contribute to the development of evidence-based research and programmes of innovation in science teaching and learning. I also collaborated on projects with other partners, such as work carried out with Discover Sensors and the Mallow Project. I have several years of experience teaching in science education lecturing positions across a number of institutions in Ireland and now the UK. In these roles, I taught on science and science education courses to national and international students.
My research interests include science education, nature of science, practical science and assessment and reflective e-portfolios
Qualifications
PhD - Science Education - University of Limerick - 2018
Masters - Science Education -University of Limerick - 2012
B. Sc. Ed with Biology - University of Limerick - 2006
Post-doctoral researcher - University of Oxford (2018-2019)
Departmental lecturer - University of Oxford (2019- 2022)
Responsibilities & affiliations
Honorary Norham Fellow - University of Oxford (2022 - 2024)