Projects per year
Personal profile
Research Statement
My general research area is Science Education. As well as completing my PhD study on primary children's attitudes to science and their concept development, I have also published and researched in the areas of teacher continuing professional development for science, assessment in science and, in particular, outdoor learning. I was the grant holder for the Open Air Laboratories (OPAL) project at Queen's. Together with the Field Studies Council NI we rolled out this work in Northern Ireland. It was a citizen science project which aimed to engage members of the public in outdoor learning and environmental monitoring. We engaged with over 7000 children and young people and trained almost 600 teachers. I also conducted an outdoor learning project entitled Science Teaching for Transition in the Outdoor Classroom (STTOC) funded by the Primary Science Teaching Trust as part of the Northern Ireland hub. I have completed several evaluations of outdoor learning interventions to include Belfast City Council's ParkLife Education programme and Ulster Wildlife's Grassroots Challenge project. Recent research also looks at Education for Sustainable development and the broader outcomes of outdoor learning, to include the impact on health and well-being. I have also managed several Randomised Controlled Trials with accompanying process evaluations for interventions at primary and early post-primary levels. I have also held various positions on boards and expert groups, to include advising on policy. I worked with the Department for Agriculture, Environment and Rural Affairs (DAERA) on the development and roll out of a nationwide Environmental Engagement Index and was a Trustee for the Field Studies Council. I am currently on the Board of the Northern Ireland Environment Link (NIEL) and their Education for Sustainable Development Forum. Currently, I am on the Council for Curriculum, Examinations and Assessment (CCEA) Sustainable Futures Expert Group am a founding member, and secretary, for the Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) funded Biology Special Interest Group (North and South of Ireland).
Teaching
Current teaching
Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCE)
Co-ordinator - PGCE Science pathway
EDU 7203 Teaching - 'Science Studies' module (Science)
EDU 7208 Teaching - 'Education and Professional Studies' module (tutorial group leader, Theories of Learning lectures)
EDU 6000 School Experience supervision (Science)
Masters Level module
EDU 7271 Contemporary Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
Current supervision
Undergraduate dissertation supervision (biology-related degrees)
Master's dissertation supervision
Doctoral theses supervision (EdD/DChild, PhD)
Previous teaching
Undergraduate Education
EDU 3009 Science in Education
EDU 3009 Module convenor (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18)
International Postgraduate Certificate in Education (PGCEi)
Programme developer and Director (2014-15, 2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18)
EDU 7292 Module convenor - 'Teaching in your Discipline' module
EDU 7292 Teaching - 'Teaching in your Discipline' module
EDU 7291 Teaching - 'Education Studies and International Perspectives' module
EDU 7293 Supervision - 'School-Based Learning' module
Masters level
Module convenor (Spring 2020) - Contemporary Perspectives on Teaching and Learning
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
Projects
- 1 Active
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R3188EDU: Department of Education - Project 928/ITT 1533
Connolly, P. (PI), Kerr, K. (CoI), O'Hare, L. (CoI), Sibbett, C. (CoI) & Winter, K. (CoI)
01/08/2009 → …
Project: Research
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Writing plants out of secondary biology education in a time of ecological crisis – staying with or avoiding the trouble?
O'Neill, N. & Kerr, K., 07 Feb 2025, (Accepted) In: Irish Educational Studies.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
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An exploration of parents' engagement with learning about climate change through science education: learnings for future practice
Broderick, N., Kelly, O., Murphy, C., Kerr, K. & Whelan, J., 16 Sept 2024, (Early online date) In: Environmental Education Research.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile16 Downloads (Pure) -
Beyond boundaries – teaching education for sustainability beyond science: a cross-curricular approach
Kerr, K. & Roberts, J., 13 Jun 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Biodiversity education or biodiversity loss? Mapping biodiversity within the secondary school curriculum across the North and South of Ireland
Kerr, K. & O'Neill, N., 13 Jun 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
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Coteaching science and English in post-primary schools
Kerr, K. & Roberts, J., 06 Apr 2024.Research output: Contribution to conference › Paper › peer-review
Prizes
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Award of Reviewer Excellence (IJSE)
Kerr, K. (Recipient), 27 Mar 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA)
Kerr, K. (Recipient), 03 Mar 2021
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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Fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology
Kerr, K. (Recipient), 01 Jul 2024
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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Fellowship of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
Kerr, K. (Recipient), 31 Jul 2001
Prize: Fellowship awarded competitively
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Foundation for Environmental Education (FEE) Research Collaboration
Kerr, K. (Recipient), 21 Jun 2022
Prize: Other distinction
Activities
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Northern Ireland Commissioner for Children and Young People (NICCY) Event: Hear Our Voices
Kerr, K. (Member of the organising committee)
29 Mar 2025Activity: Participating in or organising an event types › Participation in Festival/Exhibition
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From Acorns to Forests: Sustainability and Strategy in ITE at Queen's University Belfast
Kerr, K. (Invited speaker)
04 Mar 2025Activity: Talk or presentation types › Invited talk
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Journal of Biological Education (Journal)
Kerr, K. (Editorial board member)
31 Jan 2025Activity: Publication peer-review and editorial work types › Publication peer-review
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QUB Green Fund Award: A Biodiverse, Learning-Diverse Space
Kerr, K. (Recipient)
Jan 2025 → Sept 2025Activity: Other activity types › Other
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Royal Society of Biology (External organisation)
Kerr, K. (Advisor)
06 Mar 2024 → …Activity: Membership types › Membership of public/government advisory/policy group or panel
Press/Media
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Minister launches Environmental Engagement Index for Northern Ireland
05/01/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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UK National Association for Environmental Education blog entitled: "We want to make a difference for nature"
05/01/2021
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Research
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Grassroots Challenge celebration event
26/11/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
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Academics launch new Irish Association for Primary Science Education
20/11/2020
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Other
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Parklife programme hailed as best in class
14/02/2018
1 Media contribution
Press/Media: Public Engagement Activities
Thesis
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"I don't like splashing in the water" : Children's voices in primary science
Kerr, K. (Author), Murphy, C. (Supervisor) & Beggs, J. (Supervisor), Dec 2008Student thesis: Doctoral Thesis › Doctor of Philosophy
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