Mike Watts

Professor Mike Watts is a distinguished faculty member within the Department of Education at Brunel University London, working under the College of Business, Arts and Social Sciences. With an office in Gaskell 227 and direct contact information provided, he maintains an active presence at the university. His academic career spans several decades, with progressive positions from lecturer to Principal of Froebel College at Roehampton University before joining Brunel.

Professor Watts' research interests focus on multiple dimensions of science education, particularly classroom interactions, learners' questions and questioning techniques, the emotional aspects of science learning, and technology-enhanced teaching methods. His work explores science identity formation, public understanding of science, and pedagogical approaches in higher education. He has conducted significant research on first-in-their-family students at Brunel University, documenting their experiences through video interviews that highlight diverse learner biographies.

His publication record demonstrates consistent scholarly output across education and science education journals. The most recent articles reveal a clear trajectory toward early years science education, teacher mentoring, and international comparative studies of science teacher training, particularly in African contexts. His work bridges theoretical frameworks with practical classroom applications, showing particular interest in questioning techniques and emotional dimensions of learning.

• Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellowship for excellence in teaching (2003)
• Fellow of the Institute of Physics (2004)

Professor Watts actively supervises doctoral students, currently guiding twelve PhD candidates through various stages of their research. His teaching spans BA Education, MA Education, and postgraduate research methods programs. He has secured research funding for projects including community needs analysis in boroughs local to Brunel and has engaged in international collaborations, notably a decade-long study with the University of Aveiro in Portugal. His editorial work includes serving as editor for the Mauritius Institute of Education's Journal of Education and as an examiner for the University of Technology Mauritius.