Staff Profile
Dr Andy Atkins
Senior Lecturer
I have worked with and supported teachers and trainee teachers in schools and at university for over 20 years, having trained initially as a secondary school science teacher.
After working for the UK National Strategies in education, I became Lead Senior Advisor for Science for Essex Local Authority from 2008 to 2012. I moved to the University of Northampton, and then the University of Leicester in 2017, to work on initial teacher training programmes for primary school teachers, Masters programmes in International Education and supervising PhD students.
I started working at York St John University in 2020 on their initial teacher training programmes.
- School – School of Education, Language and Psychology
- Email – a.atkins@yorksj.ac.uk
- Phone – 01904 876 280
Teaching
I currently teach across the Postgraduate (University-lead and Schools Direct) and Undergraduate programmes on science and mathematics modules.
Research
My research interests include Pedagogical Content Knowledge in science teaching including the importance of practical work, teachers’ and students’ understanding about “the nature of science” and improving the confidence of trainee teachers to teach STEM.
I have presented papers on a number of occasions at the Association of Science Education (ASE) national conferences and organised regional events with them.
Professional Activities
I have a keen interest in research ethics and am a member of the School Ethics Committee.
In 2016 I gained Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy and have been a Local Authority governor in a primary school.
