David Meechan

David Meechan is a Senior Lecturer in Education at the University of Northampton, affiliated with the Childhood, Youth and Families department within the Faculty for Education, Health and Society. He co-leads the Early Childhood Education and Care and Distance Learning special interest groups in the Centre for Education and Research and the Centre for Active Digital Education. His research focuses on early childhood, primary education, and higher education technology integration, with a particular interest in ethical AI use and children's rights in education.

External roles include serving as External Examiner at Birmingham City University since March 2023 and as a Primary School Governor since October 2022. He has been actively involved in projects like the 'Study Smart 2' initiative (2024–2025), which explores AI literacy co-construction with students.

Key research contributions include publications on generative AI applications in education, online learning design, children’s rights advocacy, and critiques of educational assessment policies. Recent activities include organizing conferences such as the 2024 Centre for Education and Research Summer Programme and presenting on GenAI integration in higher education.

His work emphasizes inclusive practices, student support during crises (e.g., pandemic learning adaptations), and ethical technology use. Collaborations with peers like Helen Caldwell and Ruth Howe highlight interdisciplinary approaches to education challenges.