Rebecca Nicholson

Rebecca Nicholson is an Assistant Professor in the School of Computer and Information Sciences at Northumbria University. Her work bridges technology and education, with a strong emphasis on authentic and collaborative learning experiences across disciplines such as Computer Science, Medicine, and the Performing Arts.

Her research explores the role of technology in supporting authentic learning, focusing on how digital tools can enhance creative pedagogies in real-world classroom environments. She employs a participatory action research approach, actively collaborating with teachers to co-design, co-teach, and evaluate educational technologies. This method ensures that technological solutions are grounded in practical classroom needs and pedagogical realities.

Recent publications highlight her focus on emergency remote education, particularly in Nigeria, as well as the challenges of evaluating ed-tech in schools and integrating design practices into educational settings. Her work also extends into Music and Theatre technologies, where she investigates tools that support teaching and learning in performance contexts.

The trends in her research output (2021–2024) reflect a consistent commitment to human-centered design in education, with publications appearing in high-impact venues such as the CHI Conference on Human Factors in Computing Systems and ACM Transactions on Computer-Human Interaction. Her work spans both technical innovation and deep pedagogical inquiry, contributing to the evolving landscape of technology-enhanced learning.

Rebecca actively collaborates with researchers across institutions and disciplines, as evidenced by her co-authored publications. While no formal advising or grant information is available in the text, her participatory methodology implies strong engagement with educational practitioners and cross-sector partnerships.

Her research has practical implications for educators, designers, and policymakers interested in equitable, effective, and creative uses of technology in diverse learning environments.