Karen Kerr

Karen Kerr is a Lecturer in Education at Queen's University Belfast's School of Social Sciences, Education and Social Work. She holds a PhD in Science Education from Queen's University (2008). Her research focuses on Science Education, with particular emphasis on outdoor learning, teacher professional development, and Education for Sustainability. She led the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) project in Northern Ireland, engaging over 7000 children and 600 teachers, and managed the Science Teaching for Transition in the Outdoor Classroom (STTOC) initiative. She is a founding member of the Biology Special Interest Group for the Educational Studies Association of Ireland.

Research Interests: Outdoor Learning, Science Curriculum Development, Environmental Education, Assessment in Science, Teacher Professional Development, Citizen Science, and Education for Sustainable Development.

Recent Articles: Recent work explores cross-curricular sustainability teaching, biodiversity in school curricula, and climate change education. Her articles highlight innovative methodologies in citizen science and outdoor pedagogy.

Scientific Awards:

• Award of Reviewer Excellence (IJSE)
• Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy
• Fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology

Advising & Grants: Supervises undergraduate, master's, and doctoral students. Managed grants including the OPAL project (Field Studies Council NI collaboration) and evaluations for Belfast City Council's ParkLife Education programme. Currently advises DAERA on environmental policy and chairs the Northern Ireland Environment Link's Education for Sustainable Development Forum.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with the Field Studies Council NI, Northern Ireland Environment Link, and the Primary Science Teaching Trust. Active in national and international education networks for sustainability initiatives.