Before taking an academic post at Northumbria University, Kirstin was a class teacher, senior leader, and Specialist Leader of Education in primary schools in the North East for more than 13 years. Kirstin is currently the Initial Teacher Education subject lead for Modern Foreign Languages, and also contributes to the English and Maths elements of our Education programmes. She is one of the module leaders for the Educational Research and Enquiry strand of the BA Primary Education programme. 

Kirstin completed her MEd and EdD at the University of Newcastle, and also holds an MLitt in Latin American Literature. She has a particular interest in teacher research; perceptions and experiences of teaching and learning; and the role of student voice in developing pedagogy. 

Kirstin's principal interests include:

• teacher research, and participatory research with teachers, students and children
• perceptions of teaching and learning, and the impacts of these upon self-concept, motivation and learning outcomes
• the development of metacognition through peer collaboration and talk