A teaching approach shaped by both classrooms and research.
I studied History at the University of Glasgow before training as a History teacher at the University of Strathclyde. I later completed an MEd in Education at Strathclyde and undertook doctoral research in History at Glasgow as a Leverhulme Trust PhD candidate.
That combination matters to the way I teach. Historical knowledge is important, but so is understanding how pupils learn: what helps an explanation land, what makes revision efficient, why some pupils know more than they can show in an assessment, and how to break complex writing into manageable decisions.
Experience beyond the classroom.
Alongside secondary teaching, I have taught undergraduate seminars at the University of Glasgow, helped design university courses and created educational material for school and public audiences.
My curriculum and educational work has included projects with Education Scotland, the University of Glasgow, Glasgow Caledonian University and Glasgow Museums. I have also delivered teacher development, school workshops and presentations connecting new historical research with classroom learning.
I have served for many years as Treasurer of the Scottish Association of the Teachers of History (SATH). The role has involved far more than finance: supporting the association's website, helping organise its annual conference, delivering professional development and contributing to national resource-sharing for History teachers.
I have also worked as an educational writer and heritage consultant, translating historical research into material that works for pupils, teachers and public audiences. That has included curriculum resources, published lesson material, museum and heritage interpretation, workshops and advice for organisations developing historical content for the public.
History & teacher education
MA (Hons) History from the University of Glasgow; PGDE (History) and MEd in Education from the University of Strathclyde.
Secondary teaching
History teaching in Glasgow, including supported learning contexts, literacy work, supported study and wider pupil-engagement projects.
University teaching & research
Undergraduate seminar teaching, course development, archival research and doctoral work at the University of Glasgow.
Scottish Association of the Teachers of History
Long-standing SATH Treasurer, with responsibilities spanning conference organisation, professional learning, web support, finances and national resource-sharing for History teachers.
Educational writing
Writing and developing History resources for schools and public audiences, including work with Education Scotland, universities and European education projects.
Heritage consultancy & public history
Advisory, interpretation and educational work with museums, heritage organisations and cultural partners, alongside workshops, publications and broadcasting.
Historical work, heritage and publication.
My research and educational work has included eighteenth-century Britain, Atlantic slavery, Scotland and slavery, colonialism, and the use of historical evidence in schools. I contributed research to Freedom Bound, a graphic history project for Scottish schools, and have written or contributed to academic, educational and popular-history publications.
I have also spoken about History and historical research for organisations and media including the Royal Society of Edinburgh, BBC Radio Scotland, BBC Radio 4 and BBC History Magazine.