Alison Cullinane
Background
Dr Alison Cullinane
Senior Lecturer in Biology Education, School of Biological Sciences
Dr Alison Cullinane is Senior Lecturer in Biology Education and Portfolio Director at the School of Biological Sciences (appointed 2022). Her research and teaching focus on science education, the nature of science, and reflective practice with portfolios.
Academic and Professional Background
- 2022- present: Senior Lecturer of Biology Education and Portfolio Director School of Biological Science Edinburgh
- 2018 – 2022– Post-doctoral Researcher & Departmental Lecturer, Department of Education, University of Oxford; College Lecturer, St Antony’s College
- 2008 – 2017 – Project Officer (Biological Sciences), EPI-STEM—National STEM Education Centre (formerly NCE-MSTL), University of Limerick
- 2008 – 2017– Lecturer in Science/Science Education (sessional & fixed-term posts), University of Limerick and other Irish HE institutions
- 2007 – 2008 – Secondary-school Science Teacher, Ireland
Education
- PhD, Science Education – University of Limerick
- Thesis: Incorporating Nature of Science into Initial Science Teacher Education
- MSc Ed, Science Education – University of Limerick
- BScEd, Science Education – University of Limerick
Research Interests
- Nature of science and curriculum reform
- Practical science and assessment design
- Reflective portfolios
- Evidence-based innovation in STEM teaching and learning
Selected Projects & Collaborations
- PTAS Project- Principal investigator
- Project Calibrate - Post doctoral researcher 2018-2021
- Fedora Project - Researcher 2021-2022
- Discover Sensors – Co-investigator, developing inquiry bases assessments and resources for Irish secondary schools
- Mallow STEM Project – Research lead for professional-learning strand
- Contributor to national evidence-base reports on practical science in Irish post-primary schools
Current PhD Students
Xinqian ( Nancy) Jiang - University of Oxford - The Inclusion Paradox: Examining the Dynamics of Family-Implemented Supports for Intellectually Disabled Students in Chinese Special Education
Qualifications
PhD - Science Education - University of Limerick - 2018
Masters - Science Education -University of Limerick - 2012
B. Sc. Ed with Biology & Chemistry - University of Limerick - 2006
Responsibilities & affiliations
Portfolio Director
Cohort Lead
Honorary Norham Fellow - University of Oxford (2022 - 2028)
Undergraduate teaching
Portfolio & reflection
Life workshop floor lead
Variation workshop floor lead
Postgraduate teaching
Supervising Masters and PhD students in the Department of Education Oxford
Current PhD Students
Xinqian ( Nancy) Jiang - University of Oxford - The Inclusion Paradox: Examining the Dynamics of Family-Implemented Supports for Intellectually Disabled Students in Chinese Special Education
Areas of interest for supervision
Open to PhD inquiries from those interested in Science Education PhD research
Current PhD students supervised
Xinqian ( Nancy) Jiang - University of Oxford - The Inclusion Paradox: Examining the Dynamics of Family-Implemented Supports for Intellectually Disabled Students in Chinese Special Education
Current research interests
My role in the department is to implement the reflective portfolio into SBS programmes where I will be evaluating its effectiveness.Past research interests
My past research projects include the Fedora project (future-orientated science education), a horizon 2020 EU funded project, and Project Calibrate (assessment of scientific methods) a Wellcome Trust, Royal Society and Gatsby funded project. My past research includes developing the nature of science understanding with teachers in teacher education programmes. I have also research experience with formative assessment methods in Biology education.Affiliated research centres
Past project grants
PTAS grant 2023-2024 - Exploring portfolios in university with in the UK - four case studies