Dr Donna Dawkins

School of Education
Senior Lecturer in Secondary Science (Biology) Teacher Education & Professional Education Development
Global Engagement Lead for the School of Education

Contact details

Address
School of Education
University of Birmingham
Edgbaston, Birmingham
B15 2TT, United Kingdom

Donna has had varied career experiences which have led to her current position at the University of Birmingham. From research scientist via industry to secondary school teaching and currently teaching in Higher Education (HE).

She has taught Science and Biology to A-level in Birmingham secondary schools, most recently at the University of Birmingham school where she was a Teaching Fellow responsible for the development of early career postgraduate teachers.

Additionally Donna has engaged with Teaching and Learning development at the transition from A level to HE in collaboration with researchers in the School of Biosciences, and through outreach activities working with undergraduates and pupils. 

Qualifications

  • PGCert Contemporary Science
  • PG Cert (QTS)
  • PhD
  • BSc Hons

Teaching

Donna teaches on the Science PGDipEd course with a particular responsibility for the Biology group. She is also a Whole School Issues Tutor on the Science PGDipEd course.

She teaches on the following courses:

  • PGCert Education for Health Professionals.
  • PGDipEd Secondary Science (Biology)

Research

Research interests include the impact of literacy on science attainment in secondary school pupils.

Specific current interests are the study of science as a second language and how learning about effective pedagogy in MfL teaching can inform teaching of science.

Additionally, Donna is interested in how we can improve attainment in HE through inclusive pedagogy.