Helen Sanson

College of Social Sciences
Assistant Professor (Education) - Systems Thinking and Leadership - Birmingham Leadership Institute

Contact details

Email
h.j.sanson@bham.ac.uk
Address
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston
Birmingham
B15 2TT
UK

Helen Sanson is an Assistant Professor (Education) in Systems Thinking and Leadership at the Birmingham Leadership Institute. She brings over twenty years of extensive teaching experience across higher education, further education, adult/community education, and secondary education. Helen specializes in curriculum design, assessment development, and fostering inclusive learning environments. Her current role includes coaching and mentoring students to integrate Systems Thinking into their professional practice.

Qualifications

  • Professional Doctorate in Professional Practice, ongoing since February 2023
  • MA in Adult Learning and Global Change, 2011-2015
  • L6 Diploma in Careers and Guidance, 2013-2015
  • PGCE (PCET), 2003-2006
  • Adult Literacy Specialist, 2006-2007
  • Pg Cert Film and TV Studies, 1996-1997
  • BA (Hons) Communication Studies, 1990-1994

Biography

Helen Sanson is an accomplished educator with over two decades of experience in teaching and curriculum development. She holds multiple degrees relevant to Systems Thinking and has been actively involved in scholarship and practice in this field. Helen has been a lecturer for the Systems Thinking in Practice module at the Open University and a practice tutor for the L7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship. Her professional journey is marked by leadership roles where she has managed learning for both students and staff, emphasizing inclusive education. Helen’s dedication to professional development and reflective practice has been a cornerstone of her teaching philosophy.

Teaching

  • Systems Thinking in Practice, Open University
  • L7 Systems Thinking Practitioner Apprenticeship, JGA
  • Retail Skills Course, CALAT

Postgraduate supervision

Helen is interested in supervising postgraduate students in the areas of Systems Thinking, Leadership, Adult Learning, and Professional Development.

Research

  • Systems Thinking
  • Adult Learning and Global Change
  • Curriculum Design and Assessment Development
  • Professional Development and Reflective Practice

Other activities

Helen is currently pursuing a Professional Doctorate in Professional Practice with a focus on Systems Thinking and its application in educational settings. 

Other Activities

  • Consultant for Advance HE, 2022-present
  • Associate Lecturer/Practice Tutor, Open University, 2021-present
  • Consultant for The Oak Foundation, 2021-2022
  • Practice Tutor, JGA, 2022-present