Heather Macdonald

Heather Macdonald is a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader for the MA in Education at the University of Chester, within the Faculty of Arts, Humanities and Social Sciences. She joined the university in 2008, following teaching roles in Northern Ireland and Malaysia. Her academic background includes a BEd (1996), MEd (2007), and EdD (2017) from Queen’s University Belfast and the University of Sheffield. She leads the MA Education programme and teaches modules on social/emotional development, technology in early childhood, and research methods. Her research focuses on technology’s role in early childhood education and creative pedagogical approaches in higher education. She chairs the University’s Academic Conduct Panel, ensuring academic integrity standards.

Education:

• BEd Primary Education, Queen’s University Belfast (1996)
• MEd, Queen’s University Belfast (2007)
• EdD, University of Sheffield (2017)

Research Interests: Heather explores how technology can creatively support young children’s learning while addressing associated challenges. She also investigates innovative teaching, learning, and assessment strategies in higher education.

Teaching & Supervision: She supervises MA dissertations and a doctoral student researching AI in higher education. Courses taught include Contemporary Debates in Education, Digital Childhoods, and Research Methods & Design.

Professional Activities:

• Chair of Academic Conduct Panel (2018–present)
• Member of Academic Appeals Committee (2017–present)
• Member of Education and Student Experience Committee (2023–present)