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Robert Campbell

Senior Lecturer in science education
Course Lead PGCE Secondary Science

Robert Campbell

About Research

Email: robert.campbell@stmarys.ac.uk
Tel: 0208 240 2305

Biography

Robert Campbell is a senior lecturer in education and the course lead for the PGCE Secondary Science course at St Mary’s University. Before joining St Mary's, he has been head of chemistry at various schools since 2013.

I have worked at St Mary’s since 2018. During this time, I have gained extensive experience in curricular design, revising the science teacher education programme, and supporting St Mary’s in maintaining its outstanding Ofsted rating in 2024. My current teaching duties include teaching on the PGCE secondary programme and visiting students in school placements. In addition to my teaching, I regularly present at subject society teacher education events, and I am an external examiner for various PGCE education courses.

Research

Research profile

My research interests focus on using self-study research to inform my ongoing practice and identity as a teacher educator. I am currently completing doctoral research, which examines how my developing understanding of the nature of scientific knowledge informs my practice as a science teacher educator.

My current research focuses on introducing self-study research to science teacher educators and how running self-study projects informs our practice as science teacher educators.

Recent research projects

How do trainee science teachers justify their use of models in teaching science? 

Publications 

  • Bhorkar, S., Campbell, R. and Claro, J. (2026) A reflective narrative on supporting international trainee teachers to thrive when teaching in English schools. IMPACT 26 p6-10).

  • Billingsley, B., Campbell, R., and Dell, M. (2020). Epistemic insight: Promoting collaborative teaching between RE and science teachers. School Science Review, 102(378), 54–58.

  • Billingsley, B., Robinson, N., Campbell, R. and Thompson, S. (2020) Science at school: a sliding doors moment in the story of school education, School Science Review, September 2020, 102(378) 29-34

  • Campbell, R., Cottle, D., Davies, R., Neuberg, C., and Willy, E. Enhancing action in supporting international pre-service science teachers via self-study. Impact 26 Available online at https://my.chartered.college/impact_article/enhancing-action-in-supporting-international-pre-service-science-teachers-via-self-study/

  • Campbell, R. and Eburne, B (2025). Microscale makes teachers mighty confident, small scale big wins. Education in Chemistry Blog Royal Society of Chemistry Available athttps://edu.rsc.org/feature/microscale-makes-teachers-and-learners-mighty-confident/4021438.article

  • Campbell, R., and Tierney, N (2024). A conversational journey for professional development through an epistemically insightful lens. ReflectEd Sharing stories pp 54-68.

  • Doherty, S.; Knight, J.G.; Rath, R.K.; Clegg, W.; Harrington, R.W.; Newman, C.R.; Campbell, R.; Amin, H. Ruthenium complexes of six-electron-donor NUPHOS-type diphosphines: Highly selective catalysts for the hydrocarboxylation of terminal alkynes. Organometallics 2005, 24, 2633–2644.

Recent presentations

  • Campbell R (2024) Using microscale experiments to support pedagogic practice amongst early career teachers.  International Conference of Chemistry Education Pattaya, Thailand, 15th-19th July 2024.

  • Campbell, R. and Butler, B. (2025). University Faculty Learning of Self-Study Research Methods: A Case Study. 21st Biannual conference of the international study association on teachers and teaching. University of Glasgow, UK, 30th June -4th July 2025.

  • Campbell, Cottle, D., Davies, R., Neuberg, C., and Willy, E.(2026) . Exploring the newness of supporting international preservice science teachers (IPSSTs): a collaborative self-study, American Education Research Association conference, Los Angeles, 7th- 12th April 2026.

  • Campbell, R. and Warhurst, A. (2025). The role of practical work in teaching pre-service teachers. A self-study of a group of science teacher educators. 21st Biannual Conference of the International Study Association on Teachers and Teaching—University of Glasgow, UK, 30th June -4th July 2025.

  • Claro, J, Campbell, R., and Bhorkar, S. (2025). Pipeline of international teachers: challenges and opportunities. British Education Research Association Conference, University of Sussex, 9-11th September 2025.

  • Nishida, M. and Campbell, R. (2024). Expanding the border of our doctoral students’ learning community: Polyvocal self-study.  Scottish Education Research Association conference, University of Dundee, 27th November 2024.

Media enquiries

For media enquiries, please contact our Press Office Team by emailing press.office@stmarys.ac.uk.