Helen King
Head of Academic Staff Development
Ext: 6933
Room: WH 5.36
Helen is Head of Academic Staff Development which encompasses professional development for researchers (including PGRs), through the Researcher Development Unit, and colleagues with teaching responsibilities (including courses for new staff and workshops and other activities for more experienced staff, departments and faculties).
Qualifications
Helen has a degree in Physics & Geology from the University of Manchester and a PhD in Geophysics & Geochemistry from the University of Liverpool. In 2006, she achieved the Staff & Educational Development Association’s Senior Fellowship (SFSEDA) and was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship (NTF) for her work in academic development.
Background
Helen has extensive experience in academic development at a national level in the UK and has developed an international profile particularly through her work in Geoscience education in the USA. She started her career in academic development in the role of Manager on the national Earth Science Staff Development project in 1996. As well as running the project, she also became involved with activities at its host institution, the University of Southampton, including instigating and taking on the role of Faculty of Science Learning and Teaching Co-ordinator
Her success with this project and involvement in national initiatives such as the development of the QAA Benchmark Statement for Earth Science, Environmental Science and Environmental Studies led to her being appointed Manager, and later Assistant Director, of the Subject Centre for Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences (GEES). This position allowed Helen to develop her own areas of interest including employability and entrepreneurship, supporting professional development and discipline-based conceptions of learning. She also took the opportunity to network with colleagues in the UK and internationally both in geoscience education (e.g. through the Committee of Heads of University Geoscience Departments; the US-based National Association of Geoscience Teachers, NAGT; and the International Geoscience Education Organisation, IGEO) and in more general educational development (such as the Staff and Educational Development Association, SEDA; the Higher Education Research & Development Society of Australasia, HERDSA; and the International Consortium for Educational Development, ICED).
In 2007 she moved to the USA and worked as an independent consultant for clients in the USA, UK and Australia. On her return to the UK she took up the position of Senior Advisor (Evidence-Informed Practice) at the Higher Education Academy for 10 months before beginning her post at the University of Bath in January 2011.
Helen is an ex-rugby player, and current snowboarder, cross-country runner (with the Town and Country Harriers) and occasional diver and surfer. She also enjoys playing the piano, guitar and ukulele. She currently lives just outside Bristol with her husband and two rabbits.
Further details on Helen's career, including research interests, publications and presentations can be found at: http://www.drhelenking.co.uk/
Publications
Helen has published widely on various themes including: managing programmes of small-scale research and development funding, continuing professional development in higher education, discipline-based pedagogic research, dissemination and evaluation for learning and teaching projects, threshold concepts in the disciplines, and learning and teaching at Masters level. Recent publications include:
King, H. (2009) Collaborative Working for Curriculum and Professional Development. In: Walsh, L. & P.Kahn (Eds.) Collaborative Working in Higher Education. Taylor & Francis, New York
King, H. (2008) The State of Evidence in Geoscience Education Research. Prepared for the (USA) National Academies Board on Science Education http://www7.nationalacademies.org/bose/HelenKing_Report.pdf)
Mcewen L., J. Monk, I. Hay, P. Kneale & H. King (2008) Strength in Diversity: Enhancing Learning in Vocationally-Orientated, Master's Level Courses. Journal of Geography in Higher Education, Vol. 32, Issue 1, pages 101 – 119
Stokes, A., H. King & J.C. Libarkin (2007) Research in Science Education: Threshold Concepts. Journal of Geoscience Education Vol. 55 No. 5 pp434 -438
King, H. (2006) Threshold Concepts and Troublesome Knowledge in Geography, Earth & Environmental Sciences (Editorial). Planet Special Edition, GEES Subject Centre, pp 2-3 http://www.gees.ac.uk/pubs/planet/index.htm#P17
King, H. (2006) Understanding spatial literacy: cognitive and curriculum perspectives. Planet Special Edition, GEES Subject Centre, pp 26-28 http://www.gees.ac.uk/pubs/planet/index.htm#P17
King, H (2006) (Ed.) Enterprise, Skills & Entrepreneurship Resource Pack: Enhancing the Curriculum in Geography, Earth & Environmental Science. GEES Subject Centre http://www.gees.ac.uk/projtheme/entrep/entrepres.htm
King, H. (2005) Editorial: Postgraduate Taught Courses in GEES. Planet Special Edition – Issue 14. Pg 2
King, H. & L. Mattin 2005 Managing Programmes of Small-Scale Research & Development Funding: Lessons from HEIs and Subject Centres. Educational Developments Issue 6.1, pp 18-21
King, H. (2004) Continuing Professional Development in Higher Education: What do Academics Do? Educational Developments, Issue 5.4 pp 1-5
King, H. 2003. Learning to do Discipline-based Pedagogic Research in Geography, Earth and Environmental Studies. PLANET Special Edition on Teaching & Research. LTSN-GEES
King, H. 2003. Disseminating Educational Developments. In: Kahn, P. & D. Baume (Eds.) A Guide to Staff & Educational Development. SEDA / RoutledgeFalmer.