Senior Lecturer in Teacher Education

My area of interest lies in contextualised learning, guiding learners to appreciate the purpose of a session or class, and making links across their knowledge base.

I am also a huge advocate of teaching strategies that promote confidence in pupils, and so teach through the lenses of inclusivity and promoting opportunities for success. I have taught on a variety of courses, largely with a mathematics focus.

Within my current role at the University, I lead the Secondary Mathematics PGCE; the sessions on this continually interlink between developing content, pedagogical understanding and effective teaching practice. This supports the use of contextualisation and underpins my approach to teaching.

Where possible I involve community organisations into sessions to emphasise the experiential opportunities and applications of classroom knowledge. This has led to some award-winning projects, including developing a resource for The Higgins Bedford and a maths and rugby programme with Bedford Blues.

Alongside this role, I have undertaken a variety of teaching experiences, such as working with Hospital Schools and being Education Manager at The British Museum

Qualifications

• NCETM Accredited Professional Development Lead
• Fellow of Higher Education Academy
• Management and Leadership Level 5
• MA Education
• Postgraduate Certificate in Education (Secondary Mathematics)
• BSc (Hons) Economics and International Development

Membership of Professional Bodies

• NCETM Enigma Maths Hub

Teaching Expertise

• PGCE Secondary Mathematics (Level 7), PGCE Secondary
• Working with Children in Alternative Settings (Level 6), BA Primary Years Education
• Exploring Core Subjects (Maths) (Level 6) BA Primary Education with QTS
• Professional Studies: Multidimensional Classrooms (Level 4), BA Primary Education with QTS
• Mathematics Elective (Level 6), BA Primary Education with QTS
• Mathematical Problem Solving (Level 6), BA Applied Education Studies
• Mathematics Education (Level 5), BA Applied Education Studies
• Core Mathematics (Level 7), KS2-3 PGCE
• Mathematics Subject Knowledge Enhancement course

Research Interests

• Contextualised learning
• Enquiry learning
• Alternative learning environments

External Roles

• Strategic Board Member for Enigma Maths Hub

Publications

• Harris, M (2021) ‘Real world contexts and teaching’ in Bringing the Curriculum to Life (2021) by Janice Wearmouth and Karen Lindley (eds.)
• Harris, M. (2017) What colour were Dorothy’s shoes? in The Museum Blog Book Museums Etc: London
• Harris, M. (2015) Are coins small and boring? Developing an interactive education programme, Museum and Society Journal 13 (2) Available www2.le.ac.uk/departments/museumstudies/museumsociety/volumes/volume-13-2015
• Harris, M. (2013) Contextualised financial education ICOMON e-proceedings 7 Available network.icom.museum/icomon/publications/e-proceedings-since-2006/L/1/
• Pattison, S. and Harris, M. (2010) Making the strange familiar: emphasising the role of mathematics across the curriculum National Teacher Research Panel 
• Pattison, S. and Harris, M. (2010) Strengthening mathematical knowledge NCETM Microsite Available www.ncetm.org.uk/resources/24756

Contact Details

T: +44 (0)1234 793460
E: mieka.harris@beds.ac.uk