Helen Gourlay

Helen Gourlay is a Lecturer in Physics Education at the Department of Curriculum, Pedagogy and Assessment (CPA) within the UCL Institute of Education at University College London. Her academic career spans over a decade in teacher education, with previous roles at Brunel University London, University of East Anglia, and King's College London.

• Research Focus: Science teacher development, reflective practice, action learning, educational assessment, concept mapping, and conceptual development.
• Leadership Roles: PGCE Physics and Physics with Mathematics courses lead; teaching and dissertation supervision for MA Education (Science).

Research Themes:

• Science Teacher Development: Emphasis on reflective practice, action learning interventions, and the diagnostic teaching cycle.
• Young People's Science Learning: Focus on educational assessment, concept mapping, and conceptual development in physics education.

Scientific Awards:

• Fellow of the HEA (Advance HE)

Publications Trends: Helen's research centers on science teacher education, physics curriculum design, and student assessment strategies. Her work often incorporates concept mapping as a pedagogical tool and addresses gender disparities in post-16 physics education.