Department of curriculm studies

The Department of Curriculum Studies is at the heart of one of the largest centres for teacher education in the United Kingdom and specialises in knowledge translation through the development of relationships between research, policy and practice.  We offer a strongly interrelated model of educational practice, theoretical awareness and policy developments in nursery, primary and secondary schools; focusing on developing teachers’ professional knowledge and supporting practitioner research. We offer excellence in teaching, a challenging student-centred learning environment and involvement in leading-edge, internationally competitive research and scholarship.  We have been successful in building productive partnerships with local education authorities, government agencies and colleagues internationally through initiatives such as the Comenius project on professional development across Europe, research links with Malawi and Pakistan.

Staff in Curriculum Studies have particular expertise in the areas of curriculum innovation including mathematical thinking; literacy and language education; primary and secondary science and technology; the effective classroom use of computing and information technologies; children’s literature; global citizenship; ethnic minority children’s perceptions of Scottish culture and the expressive arts.  We are currently providing leadership and background research for developing the national Curriculum for Excellence in Scotland.