Design, Think, Learn: 
Biography and Research

Qualifications:

B.Ed. (Hons) Design and Technology Primary Education 2:1 from the University of Exeter

M.Ed. Primary Education (Distinction) from the University of Cambridge

Profile:

I have taught in primary schools for over 25 years and have experience teaching across the Key Stages in a variety of year groups. I have held roles as Headteacher, Deputy Head, Key Stage 1 leader and Key Stage 2 leader in rural and urban schools in Cambridgeshire and North Somerset.  I have also been a Key Stage One County Moderator and worked for the STA and DfE as part of Expert Review Panels for both Y2 and Y6 SATs. 

I have worked with trainees from the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge delivering the Design and Technology (D&T) sessions to the EY and Primary cohorts for a number of years and thoroughly enjoy working with trainees in this subject.  

After focusing upon D&T and critical thinking during the Masters course at the University of Cambridge, my work has been published in a professional journal, presented at an international conference and published within an international journal. This has now led to pursuing a PhD which is currently being completed, also at the University of Cambridge.

My current roles are:

- Studying for a PhD in Education at the University of Cambridge 

- Creating a new D&T curriculum for schools across the world with the Design & Technology Association and Oak National Academy as Curriculum Design Lead 

- Working with student teachers within a local SCITT and the Faculty of Education at the University of Cambridge

- Working with primary school pupils through the D&T Imagineers out of school hours activities

Publications/Conferences

Brown, R. (2023). Teacher perceptions of critical thinking skills within primary school design and technology. Design and Technology Education: An International Journal, 28(2), 22–37. Retrieved from https://openjournals.ljmu.ac.uk/DATE/article/view/1183

Brown, R (2022) Teacher perceptions of Critical Thinking Skills within primary design and technology Proceedings for the 39th Pupils’ Attitudes Towards Technology (PATT39) Conference, Memorial University, Newfoundland, 21-24 June, pp.94-104. https://research.edgehill.ac.uk/ws/portalfiles/portal/50821651/patt39_proceedings_june_17_2022.pdf

Brown, R (2022) ‘Exploring Teacher Perceptions’ D&T Practice (February), p25-27 https://www.designtechnology.org.uk/resource-shop/magazines/dt-practice-22022-pdf-copy/