معرفی
Nick Sorensen is Professor of Improvisation at Bath Spa University, where he currently serves as Interim Head of the School of Writing, Publishing and the Humanities. He joined Bath Spa in 2008 after extensive experience working in secondary schools, including six years as a headteacher, and as an educational consultant.
His academic journey includes a BA (Hons) in English and Drama from the University of Exeter, a PGCE from Goldsmiths College, London, an MA in Education from the University of Sussex, and a PhD from Bath Spa University.
Sorensen's research centers around teacher education and professional development with a particular focus on improvisation as a fundamental element of teacher expertise. His book The Improvising Teacher: reconceptualising pedagogy, expertise and professionalism (2023) offers a radical reconceptualization of improvisation as core to teaching expertise. His research explores how expert teachers navigate complex classroom situations through improvisational thinking and action.
His recent publications reveal a consistent focus on the intersection of improvisation, expertise, and professional practice in education. The articles demonstrate his theoretical development of the 'improvising teacher' concept and its application across various educational contexts, from music education to teacher training systems. His work increasingly bridges educational theory with practical applications for teacher development.
- Senior Fellow HEA
- AHRC Peer Review College (2016-2023)
Sorensen has contributed to the development of the Paper Nations creative writing project and was a member of its Governance Group. He previously served as Assistant Dean of the Institute for Education at Bath Spa University. His educational consultancy company, The Improvising School, supports musicians, teachers, leaders and writers in developing their creativity.
As a musician, Sorensen is a skilled saxophonist who has performed internationally with the transcultural music project Kusanganisa and has collaborated with notable jazz musicians including Pee Wee Ellis and Fred Wesley. His performance background deeply informs his educational research on improvisation.
