Dr Michael Allen

Education

• PhD in Science Education (Brunel University).
• PGCE in Secondary Science (University of Bath).
• PGCert Teaching and Learning in Higher Education (Brunel University).
• BPharm (Hons) Degree in Pharmacy (University of Bath).
• GCE ‘O’ and ‘A’ levels (Reddish Vale Comprehensive School, Stockport; Stockport College of Technology).

Personal interests

• I have a Black Belt (1st Dan) in Judo and have represented my county in the sport. I am a keen motorcycle enthusiast.

Research supervision

• PhD and EdD
• • Tracey Burge (First supervisor, current)
  • Viv Ekwulugo (First supervisor, current)
  • Jane Doe (First supervisor, current)
  • Elizabeth Pisani (Second supervisor, current)
  • Hilary Coole (Second supervisor, completed)
• MPhil
• • Ayshea Choudhary (First supervisor, current)
• MA 
• • Emma Higgins (First supervisor, current)
  • Kamil Haroon (First supervisor, current)
  • Sulthana Begum Uddin (First supervisor, completed).
  • Diane Adebayo (First supervisor, completed)
  • Cristina Birlea (First supervisor, completed)
  • Lynn Buist (First supervisor, completed)

External work

• External Examiner at Reading University for secondary physics and chemistry Subject Knowledge Enhancement courses (2009 - current).
• External Examiner at Kingston University for primary BA (QTS) course (2010).
• External evaluator for TDA Primary and Secondary Science Subject Knowledge Booster Courses 2006-2009).

Journal review updates

• Regular reviewer for submissions to Journal of Research in Science Teaching.

Inset workshops

• Correcting science misconceptions: a hands-on approach (Car collisions). ASE Summer Conference, The University of Surrey, June, 2007.
• Correcting science misconceptions: a hands on approach (Marble drop). ASE Summer Conference, The University of Surrey, June, 2006.

Membership of professional organisations

• General Teaching Council.
• Association for Science Education.
• Association of Tutors in Science Education.
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Previous work experience

• Head of department and teacher of science in Berkshire secondary and middle schools.
• Senior Aircraftsman in the Royal Air Force.

Research Interests

Research Interests

• Scientific concepts held by pre-school children
• The elicitation and correction of science misconceptions by means of constructivist philosophy-driven conceptual change pedagogies
• Confirmation bias and its influence on science observation/ inference making (in both historical and contemporary contexts)
• The use of practical work to enhance achievement in school science
• Radio-assisted practice in Initial Teacher Education.

Publications

Journal Papers

(Forthcoming) Allen, M. and Briten, E., An illustration of the experimenter expectancy effect, School Science Review 94 112- 119

(2012) Allen, M., Special edition: practical work (Guest editorship of journal), Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 8 (1) : 1- 2

(2012) Allen, M. and Toplis, R., 'I do and I understand?’ Practical work and laboratory use in United Kingdom schools, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 8 (1) : 3- 9

(2012) Allen, M. and Coole, H., Experimenter confirmation bias and the correction of science misconceptions, Journal of Science Teacher Education 23 (4) : 387- 405

(2011) Allen, M., Theory‐led confirmation bias and experimental persona, Research in Science and Technological Education 29 (1) : 107- 127

(2010) Allen, M., Learner error, affectual stimulation, and conceptual change, Journal of Research in Science Teaching 47 (2) : 151- 173

(2008) Allen, M., 'Now this is what should have happened...': a clash of classroom epistemologies?, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science and Technology Education 4 (4) : 319- 326

(2007) Allen, M., Radio-assisted practice in the science classroom: a beginner’s guide to RAP, Science Teacher Education 50 8- 12

(2007) Allen, M., Allowing biased experimenting leads to improved pupil learning: a useful paradox, School Science Review 88 (325) : 81- 89

(2005) Allen, M., Encouraging pupil error may promote the better understanding of a scientific concept, School Science Review 86 (316) : 79- 86

Conference Papers

(2012) Allen, M. and Choudhary, A., Animal classification by early years children., United Kingdom Science Education Research Conference

(2009) Allen, M., Hypothesis testing and confirmation bias in school science, Association for Science Education/BERA Science SIG Annual Research Conference

(2009) Allen, M., Hypothesis testing as a set of cognitive functions in the context of science experimentation, AITNER Conference

(2008) Allen, M., Affect and science learning: a lesson in misconception refutation, ATINER Conference

(2008) Allen, M., 'Now this is what should have happened...': a clash of classroom epistemologies?, SMEC Conference

(2008) Allen, M., Promoting learner error provides affectual stimulation, triggering engagement and conceptual change, Association for Science Education/BERA Science SIG Annual Research Conference

Book Chapters

(2010) Allen, M., The place of scientific enquiry in the How Science Works curriculum. In: Toplis, R. ed. How Science Works: Exploring Effective Pedagogy and Practice. Abingdon : Routledge 44- 55

(2009) Allen, M. and Toplis, R., The student teacher's role and responsibilities. In: Capel, S., Leask, M. and Turner, T. eds. Learning To Teach in the Secondary School. London : Taylor and Francis Ltd 22- 35

Books

(2010) Allen, M., Misconceptions in primary science. Open University Press