After completing a Ph.D. in Quantum Mechanics and a few years as a postdoctoral physical chemistry researcher, I decided to move into teaching. I trained as a secondary teacher and then spent eight years teaching in Primary and Secondary schools in the UK and Canada. Following teaching I gained substantial experience of Museum's education and was the first Science Education Officer at the British Museum.

I have now been involved in Teacher Education for over ten years, working at Sussex University and Anglia Ruskin University, where I was head of Teacher Training. I joined UEL in September 2008.

As Associate Dean I have responsibility for Income generation, Recruitment and work with my fellow Associate Dean to look at developing the range and variety of programmes we offer.

My interests include:

• Science and Mathematics education
• Assessment
• Staff development and
• Induction

• I contribute to the Primary PGCE.

• My current research is exploring primary trainee teachers' confidence and competence in mathematics. Additionally, I am looking at trainee teachers' understanding of the Nature of Science.