I am a Senior Teaching Fellow at Strathclyde’s Institute of Education. The main focus of my teaching, scholarship and research is the application of cognitive psychology to education. I lead the BA Joint Honours Education Studies at the Institute, teach across several other courses, carry out research, and supervise students.

Prior to working at Strathclyde I gained experience of school teaching and adult education, including more than 15 years as a secondary school teacher. I also write textbooks and books for teachers, most recently ‘Metacognition and Study Skills’ (David Fulton Books, 2024). 

My research interests focus on the psychology of memory and metacognition as it applies to learning, as well as learning theories, higher-order skills, assessment, and teachers' professional learning. Applications of these interests include teaching strategies, educational interventions for critical thinking, approaches to teacher education, and professional engagement in evidence-based practice.

Research: I have carried out several review studies, including a systematic review and meta-analysis of interleaving as a learning strategy (Firth, Rivers & Boyle, 2021), as well as conducting field experiments and writing theoretical papers.

Course design: I led a team which created an in-service teacher education programme for Crescent School in Pakistan, covering all aspects of teaching practice. I have also designed and refreshed university modules at the institute.

CPD: I have given many talks on the psychology of education, and led workshops and training days for teachers on such issues as creativity, memory strategies, debunking educational myths, and supporting teacher research engagement.

Science communication: I co-lead and write for the Strathclyde Institute of Education's blog, and also write a weekly newsletter on memory and metacognition for educators .