Simi McConnell

Simi McConnell is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Education at the University of Wolverhampton, Faculty of Education, Health & Wellbeing, based at the Walsall Campus within the School of Education & Psychology. She specializes in Primary Science and serves as the cluster leader for science across all Primary Education routes leading to Qualified Teacher Status (QTS). She is also the module leader for key undergraduate and postgraduate modules and contributes to a broad range of subject areas including maths, geography, English, and Professional Studies.

Her educational background includes a BEd (Hons) in Primary Education from the University of Nottingham (1992), an MA in Education Management and Leadership from Nottingham Trent University (2015), and a PGCert in Higher Education and Professional Practice from the University of Wolverhampton (2016). She is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate (EdD) at the University of Wolverhampton, focusing on the ethnicity award gap and student perceptions of race and racism in placement success, using Critical Race Theory as her research methodology.

Simi McConnell’s research is centered on anti-racism, equality, diversity, and inclusion in education. Her work explores systemic inequities in teacher training and student outcomes, with a focus on whiteness and institutional barriers. She leads anti-racism awareness initiatives for both primary and secondary student teachers and facilitates staff development in this area. Her research interests also include coaching for the professional development of teachers and student teachers.

Her recent scholarly output includes a 2020 article titled The rise of the anti-racist teacher and a 2021 conference presentation on Memoranda of Understanding: A gateway to inequality?, both addressing equity and policy in education. These works reflect a consistent focus on social justice, institutional critique, and teacher development within the UK education system.

• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
• Member of the Association of Science Education (ASE)

Simi has extensive experience in teacher education and school-based leadership. She has served as an Associate Lecturer at the University of Derby (2019–2025), supporting iPGCE students and early career teacher preparation. Prior to her academic career, she held roles as an Advanced Skills Teacher and Science Coordinator in multiple primary schools across Derby and Nottingham. She has also contributed to governance as Vice-Chair of Governors at Cherry Tree Hill Primary School (2015–2022). While no formal grants or student supervision are mentioned, her leadership in curriculum design and inclusion initiatives indicates significant advisory and institutional influence.

She is actively involved in shaping inclusive pedagogy and science education at the university level and continues to contribute to both teaching excellence and social justice reform in teacher training.