Dr Rob Toplis

Dr Rob Toplis is a Senior Lecturer and leads the Pedagogy and Professional Practice Research Group

Biography

Dr Rob Toplis taught chemistry and science in inner-city, rural and suburban secondary schools in Yorkshire, Hertfordshire, Devon and Buckinghamshire for over twenty-five years, with both departmental and whole school responsibilities. Prior to joining Brunel University in 2005 he held posts at De Montfort University, Bedford (now the University of Bedfordshire) and the Open University. Rob teaches and supervises on doctoral, masters and Postgraduate Certificate in Education courses.

Research Details

Research

His research interests largely centre on teaching and learning science. These interests include: the science curriculum and curriculum change; student affect in science; scientific enquiry/inquiry; conceptual understanding and representation in chemistry education; science teacher education. He has additional interests in the use of ICT in schools and higher education and in the ethical dilemmas associated with educational research.

Projects:

• 2006, Higher Education Academy, ESCalate Development Project, ‘Secondary PGCE students' use of ICT in science teaching: case studies of practice' lead, in collaboration with Anglia Ruskin University and the University of East London. http://escalate.ac.uk/2203
• 2006-2007, Evaluation of Subject Knowledge Booster Courses
• 2007 Models and animations in chemistry: case studies using dynamic computer models
• 2007-2010 How Science Works: a longitudinal collaborative project investigating curriculum implementation and pedagogy
• 2012 Evaluation of the Parent and Student Ethnic Diversity Pilot Project for the Institute of Physics (CoI with Dr Heather Mendick (PI) and Dr Dawn Leslie, CoI)

Dr Toplis was awarded a Brunel Fellowship, 2008-2009.

Invited seminars

University of Leeds Centre for Studies in Science and Mathematics Education, March 2009 Science Curriculum Change in England: Students’ affective responses at ages 14 to 16 years

Kings College London, February 2011 How Science Works: Where have we been? Where do we go from here?

University College Cork, Ireland, November 2011, Changing science education, changing pedagogies.

Membership

European Science Education Research Association (ESERA)

Association for Science Education (ASE)

Association of Tutors in Science Education (ATSE)

Elected member, ASE Research Committee, 2005-2011.

External Examiner roles

University of Reading PGCE, 2006-2009.

University of Birmingham PGDipEd from 2011

University of Birmingham, PhD, 2012

University of Chichester PGCE Adviser, 2006

University of East London PGCE Adviser, 2012

Journals

Editorial Board School Science Review

Editorial Advisory Board Research in Science and Technological Education.

Reviewer: Chemistry Education Research and Practice, Eurasia Journal of Mathematics, Science & Technology Education, Research in Science Education, Evaluation and Research in Education.

Selected Publications and Papers

Refereed Journals:
Toplis, R. and Cleaves, A. (2006) 'Science Investigation: The Views of Fourteen to Sixteen year old Pupils' Research in Science and Technological Education 24(1): 69-84.
Toplis, R. (2007) 'Evaluating science investigations at ages 14 to 16: dealing with anomalous results' International Journal of Science Education 29 (2): 127-150.
Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R. (2007) 'Assessment of practical and enquiry skills: lessons to be learnt from pupils' views' School Science Review 88(325): 91-96.
Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R. (2007) ‘In the Shadow of Intelligent Design: the teaching of evolution’ Journal of Biological Education 42 (1): 30-35.
Toplis, R. (2008) ‘Probing student teachers’ subject content knowledge in chemistry: case studies using dynamic computer models’ Chemistry Education Research and Practice 9, 11-17.
Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R. (2008) ‘Pre-service Science Teachers and ICT: Communities of Practice?’ Research in Science and Technological Education. 26 (2): 203-213.

Toplis, R., Golabek, C. and Cleaves, A. (2010) ‘Implementing a new Science National Curriculum for England: how trainee teachers see the How Science Works strand in schools’. The Curriculum Journal, 21(1): 65-76.

Golabek, C., Toplis, R. and Cleaves, A. (2010) ‘Science curriculum change in England: How science works for pre-service teachers.’ In M. F. Taşar & G. Çakmakcı (Eds.), Contemporary science education research: international perspectives (pp. 467‐472). Ankara, Turkey: Pegem Akademi.

Toplis, R. (2011) ‘Students’ Views About Secondary School Science Lessons: The Role of Practical Work.’ Research in Science Education 42 (3): 531-549.

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

Professional publications:
Beauchamp, G., Fowler, P., Harlen, W., Oversby, J., Riley, L. and Toplis, R. (2005) 'Science education research: what is it and who is it for? Education in Science 211: 12-13.
Harlen, W., Oversby, J. and Toplis, R. (2005) 'Promoting the use of science education research' Education in Science 213: 27.
Toplis, R. (2007) 'Research Focus: Practical work in science' Education in Science 221: 28-29.

Toplis, R and Cleaves, A. (2009) ‘Research Focus: Applications and implications’ Education in Science 235: 28-29.

Toplis. R. (2011) ‘Research Focus: Students’ attitudes to science’ Education in Science 243: 22-23

Conference papers:
Toplis, R (2004) 'What do Key Stage 4 pupils think about science investigations?' paper presented at the annual conference of the Association of Tutors in Science Education, 2nd September 2004. Available at http://www.ase.org.uk/htm/conferences/atsi/pdf/F2.pdf
Toplis, R., Golabek, C. and Cleaves, A. (2006) 'Secondary trainees' use of ICT in science teaching: case studies of practice.' Paper presented at the British Educational Research Association Conference, University of Warwick, 8th September 2006.
Toplis, R. (2008) ‘Teaching outside the discipline: case studies of trainee teachers’ understanding of chemical reactions.’ Paper presented at the Science and Mathematics Education Conference, Dublin City University, 11th – 12th September 2008.
Golabek, C., Toplis, R. and Cleaves, A. (2009) ‘Science Curriculum Change in England: How Science Works for pre-service teachers’. Paper presented at the European Science Education Research Association conference, Istanbul, 31^st August – 4^th September 2009.

Toplis, R. and Golabek, C. (2011) ‘How Science Works: a longitudinal study of pre-service teachers’ field experiences of curriculum change in England.’ Paper presented at the European Science Education Research Association conference, Lyon, France, 5^th – 9^th September. 

Books and Book chapters:

Toplis, R. (Ed.)(2011) How Science Works: exploring effective pedagogy and practice. London: Routledge.

Toplis, R. (2007) 'Origins of Human Behaviour' in Zwozdiak-Myers, P. (ed.) Childhood and Youth Studies, Exeter: Learning Matters, pp 47-58.

Allen, M. and Toplis, R. (2009) ‘The student teacher’s roles and responsibilities’ in Capel, S., Leask, M. and Turner, T. (Eds.) Learning to Teach in the Secondary School, Fifth edition, London: Routledge.

Toplis, R. (2010) ‘How did we get here? Some background to How Science Works in the school curriculum’ in Toplis, R. (Ed.) How Science Works: exploring effective pedagogy and practice. London: Routledge.

Toplis, R. (2012) ‘The Role and Value of Practical Work’ in Oversby, J. (ed.) The ASE Guide to Research in Science Education. Hatfield: The Association for Science Education, pp 69-76.

Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R. (2012) ‘Teaching Science in ICT-rich environments’ in Oversby, J. (ed.)(2011) The ASE Guide to Research in Science Education. Hatfield: The Association for Science Education, pp 148-155.

Johnston, J. and Toplis, R. (2012) ‘Research Methods’ in Oversby, J. (ed.)(2012) ASE Guide to Research in Science Education. Hatfield: The Association for Science Education, pp 200-210.

Forthcoming:

Toplis, R. ‘A grey and dreary landscape? The secondary science curriculum in schools’ in Watts, M. Debates in Science Education. London: Routledge

Toplis, R. (Ed.) Learning to Teach Science in the Secondary School. London: Routledge.

Publications

Journal Papers

(2012) TOPLIS, R., Students’ Views About Secondary School Science Lessons: The Role of Practical Work, Research in Science Education 42 (3) : 531- 549

(2010) Toplis, R., Golabek, C. and Cleaves, A., Implementing a new Science National Curriculum for England: how trainee teachers see the How Science Works strand in schools, The Curriculum Journal 21 (1) : 65- 76

(2008) Toplis, R., Probing student teachers' subject content knowledge in chemistry: case studies using dynamic computer models, Chemistry Education Research and Practice 9 (1) : 11- 17

(2008) Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R., Pre-service science teachers and ICT: communities of practice?, Research in Science and Technological Education 26 (2) : 203- 213

(2007) Toplis, R., Practical work in science, Education in Science 221 28- 29 Download publication

(2007) Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R., Assessment of practical and enquiry skills: lessons to be learnt from pupils' views, School Science Review 88 (325) : 91- 96 Download publication

(2007) Cleaves, A. and Toplis, R., In the shadow of Intelligent Design: the teaching of evolution, Journal of Biological Education 42 (1) : 30- 35

(2007) Toplis, R., Evaluating science investigations at ages 14-16: Dealing with anomalous results, International Journal of Science Education 29 (2) : 127- 150 Download publication

(2006) Toplis, R. and Cleaves, A., Science investigation: the views of 14 to 16 year old pupils, Research in Science and Technological Education 24 (1) : 69- 84 Download publication

(2005) Harlen, W., Oversby, J. and Toplis, R., Promoting the use of science education research, Education in Science 213 27- Download publication

(2005) Beauchamp, G., Fowler, P., Harlen, W., Oversby, J., Riley, L. and Toplis, R., Science education research: What is it and who is it for?, Education in Science 211 12- 13 Download publication

(1998) Toplis, R., Ideas about acids and alkalis, School Science Review 80 (291) : 67- 90 Download publication

Book Chapters

(2010) Golabek, C., Toplis, R. and Cleaves, A., Science curriculum changes in England: how science works for pre-service teachers. In: Taşar, MF. and Çakmakci, G. eds. Contemporary Science Education Research: International Perspectives - A collection of papers presented at ESERA 2009 Conference. Ankara, Turkey : Pegem Akademi 467- 472

Books

(2010) Toplis, R., How science works: Exploring effective pedagogy and practice. Routledge