Claire Owen

Claire Owen is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Initial Teacher Education and Programme Leader for the PGCE Primary (School Direct) at Newman University’s Faculty of Education. Her career spans over 20 years in secondary and primary education, including leadership roles in language departments and curriculum development. She holds a PhD (in progress), an MA in Education (2016), and a PGCE in Secondary MFL (1994), alongside a BA in Modern European Studies (1991).

Education:

• Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (Newman University, 2018)
• MA Education (Newman University, 2016)
• PGCE Secondary MFL (University of Central England, 1994)
• BA (Hons) Modern European Studies (Loughborough University, 1991)

Research Interests: Claire focuses on innovative pedagogy, particularly how creative teaching strategies enhance pupil motivation in primary language education. Her work emphasizes practical, interactive methods transferable to classroom settings.

Key Publications & Presentations: Her 2019 article in The Language Learning Journal explores the carousel-style lesson’s impact on foreign language learning motivation. She has presented widely, including at Newman University (2017), Aston University (2017), and Loughborough University (2019).

Awards:

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
• Member of the Society for Research in Higher Education

Administration & Leadership: Claire serves as Newman University’s Research Ethics Link Tutor and oversees the PGCE Primary Programme. Her expertise bridges classroom practice and academic research, informed by her decade-long primary school teaching experience and language curriculum development.