Dr Richard Pountney Cert Ed, MSc, PhD, SFHEA
Principal Lecturer - Curriculum Development and E-Learning Lead Teacher Education
Summary
Richard is a Principal Lecturer in Education. He specialises in the design of the curriculum and professional development in learning and teaching. His research examines curriculum development in all phases of education and he is particularly interested in curriculum innovation in relation to the use of technology. He was awarded a teaching fellowship in 2006 in recognition of his contribution to learning and teaching in the university.
About
Richard has extensive experience of course design and curriculum development and leads learning and teaching across the Sheffield Institute of Education. He was awarded a university Teaching Fellowship for his contribution to learning and teaching in 2005. He teaches curriculum studies on the Masters in Education programme and leads the Postgraduate Certificate in Professional Practice in Mentoring in Educational Contexts. He led the international MSc Technology, Innovation and Change (TELIC) course 2005-16 described by the external examiner as having 'world-leading pedagogy' and a 'profound influence on the professional development of the students'.
He is convenor of the British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association (BERA) Curriculum, Assessment, and Pedagogy SIG, and is member of the steering group of the BERA British Curriculum Forum. He was curriculum associate to the HEA Subject Centre for Sociology, Anthropology and Politics (CSAP), 2008-11, and was consultant to phases 1 and 2 CSAP national projects for the JISC Open Educational Resources (OER) initiative. In 2012 he successfully led a university bid for £200,000 funding to direct a phase 3 OER project, Digital Futures in Teacher Education (DEFT project) to create digital literacy resources including an open textbook on digital literacy developed in collaboration with Sheffield University, regional schools, Sheffield Council and the Yorkshire and Humber Grid for Learning. He is the chair of trustees at XP School Trust, Doncaster, and vice-chair of directors, and he leads the trust's curriculum committee. He designed the curriculum for the Mentoring Practice Enhancement Programme, and is curriculum lead for the
Richard leads the university's and he is a founding member of the UK Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) research group. He is Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Associate to the Knowledge in Education Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Unit, at the University of Auckland, New Zealand. He is active in researching the curriculum, and this currently includes an investigation into approaches to problem-based and expeditionary learning.
Teaching
Department of Teacher Education
College of Social Sciences and Arts
MA Education
MA Professional Practice in Education
PGCert. Professional Practice in Mentoring in Educational Contexts
Curriculum Design and Innovation
Professional Learning for Mentoring Practice
Critical Thinking and Reflection on Mentoring Practice
Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Curriculum Design Coherence Model Knowledge Rich Schools: with the University of Auckland, New Zealand, and Keele and North Staffordshire Teaching Schools Alliance, investigating teachers' curriculum design.
GROW Mentoring Programme Evaluation: researching the impact of a programme of mentoring led by graduates for key stage 4 pupils returning to school after lockdown.
Edge Foundation
Publications
Journal articles
Pountney, R., Baumfield, V., Czerniawski, G., & Seleznyov, S. (2024). . The Curriculum Journal, 35 (4), 535-548.
Pountney, R. (2022). . ECNU Review of Education - SAGE Journals.
Pountney, R., & Swift, D. (2022). . Impact, Journal of the Chartered College of Teaching, 1 (14), 50-52.
Pountney, R., & Yang, W. (2021). . BERA Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Intelligence, (148), 15.
Pountney, R., & Yang, W. (2021). . BERA Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Intelligence, (148), 15.
Pountney, R. (2021). BERA Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Intelligence, (148), 26-27.
Pountney, R. (2020). . European Journal of Curriculum Studies.
Pountney, R. (2019). . CollectivEd, 7, 45-41.
Pountney, R., & McPhail, G. (2019). . British educational research journal.
Pountney, R., & Said, M. (2018). . Impact, 3.
Pountney, R., & Grasmeder, A. (2018). . CollectivEd, 3, 50-56.
Pountney, R., & McPhail, G. (2017). . British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Journal, 43 (6), 1068-1082.
Pountney, R., & Schimmel, H. (2015). . The Journal of Technology Enhanced Learning, Innovation and Change, 1 (1), 1-17.
Gruszczynska, A., Merchant, G., & Pountney, R. (2013). "Digital futures in teacher education": Exploring open approaches towards digital literacy. Electronic Journal of e-Learning, 11 (3), 193-206.
Craig, J., & Pountney, R. (2009). . Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences, 1 (3), 1-17.
Marsh, D., & Pountney, R. (2009). . Enhancing Learning in the Social Sciences, 1 (3), 1-24.
Conference papers
Pountney, R. (2020). . ENCU Review of Education.
Pountney, R. (2020). . In Pountney, R. (Ed.) Ï㽶ÊÓƵing curriculum subjects: understanding how teachers plan, design and lead the curriculum, Online, 2020. BERA:
Pountney, R. (2020). . In Pountney, R. (Ed.) Ï㽶ÊÓƵing curriculum subjects: understanding how teachers plan, design and lead the curriculum, Online, 2020. BERA:
Pountney, R. (2020). . In Ï㽶ÊÓƵing curriculum subjects: understanding how teachers plan, design and lead the curriculum, Online, 2020. British Education Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association (BERA):
Pountney, R. (2020). . In Seleznyov, S., & Czerniawski, G. (Eds.) A research approach to curriculum development, London, 15 November 2019 (pp. 17). BERA, British Curriculum Forum:
Pountney, R., & Coldwell, M. (2019). . In IPDA Conference 2019: Harnessing creativity in changing times: risk, resilience and professional learning across the professions, 29 November 2019 - 30 November 2019 (pp. 24-25). International Professional Development Association:
Pountney, R., & McPhail, G. (2019). . In BERA Annual Conference 2019, Manchester, 10 September 2019 - 12 September 2019.
Pountney, R., & McPhail, G. (2019). . In Fifth Cambridge Symposium on Knowledge in Education, Cambridge University, 1 July 2019 - 3 July 2021.
Pountney, R. (2019). . In CURRICULUM: ORIGINS, TRAJECTORIES AND PRACTICES, Dublin, Ireland, 7 June 2019 - 8 June 2019. European Association of Curriculum Studies
Pountney, R. (2017). . In Fourth International Social Realism Symposium, Cambridge University, UK, 4 July 2017 - 6 July 2017.
Pountney, R. (2016). . In Faculty of Education Seminar Series, Auckland, New Zealand, 12 April 2016. KERU, University of Auckland
Pountney, R. (2016). . In Knowledge in Education Symposium, Auckland, New Zealand, 24 March 2016. KERU, University of Auckland
Pountney, R. (2015). . In Third International Social Realism Symposium, Cambridge, UK, 29 June 2015 - 1 July 2015.
Pountney, R. (2015). . In Winberg, C., McKenna, S., Shay, S., & Maton, K. (Eds.) First International Legitimation Code Theory Conference, Cape Peninsula University of Technology, in Cape Town, South Africa, 18 June 2015 - 19 June 2015.
Pountney, R. (2015). . In Shore, C., & Read, L. (Eds.) Universities in the Knowledge Economy: Transforming Higher Education in the Asia-Pacific Rim and Europe, Faculty of Arts, The University of Auckland, New Zealand, 10 February 2015 - 13 February 2015 (pp. 47). The University of Auckland:
Pountney, R. (2013). . In 6th Annual Conference of the Higher Education Institutional Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (HEIR) Network: Productive Partnerships: Engaging stakeholders Institutional Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Birmingham City University, 11 July 2013 - 12 July 2013. Higher Education Institutional Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (HEIR):
Gruszczynska, A., Merchant, G., & Pountney, R. (2012). "Digital Futures in Teacher Education" Project: Exploring Open Approaches towards Digital Literacy. PROCEEDINGS OF THE 11TH EUROPEAN CONFERENCE ON E-LEARNING, 206-213.
Pountney, R. (2009). . In Ï㽶ÊÓƵ and Scholarship in Learning, Teaching and Assessment, Sheffield, UK, 13 February 2009. Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Hudson, A., & Pountney, R. (2004). . In European Conference on Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ (ECER), Faculty of Education on the Rethymnon Campus of the University of Crete, 22 September 2004 - 25 September 2004.
Aspden, E., & Pountney, R. (2002). . In Driscoll, M., & Reeves, T.C. (Eds.) E-Learn: World Conference on E-Learning in Corporate, Government, Healthcare, and Higher Education, Montreal, Canada, 9 October 2012 - 12 October 2012 (pp. 2043-2046). Association for the Advancement of Computing in Education:
Pountney, R., Parr, S., & Whittaker, V. (2002). . In Banks, S., Goodyear, P., McConnell, D., & Hodgson, V. (Eds.) 3rd International Conference on Networked Learning, University of Sheffield, 26 March 2002 - 28 March 2002. Shefield University:
Pountney, R., & Oxholm, A. (2001). . In Price, J., Willis, D.A., & Willis, J. (Eds.) SITE 2001--Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education International Conference, Orlando, Florida, (pp. 275-276). Society for Information Technology & Teacher Education:
Book chapters
Pountney, R., Rata, E., & swift, D. (2025). . In Wyse, D., Baumfield, V., Mockler, N., & Reardon, M. (Eds.) The BERA-SAGE Handbook of Ï㽶ÊÓƵ-Informed Education Practice and Policy. BERA / Sage:
McPhail, G., Pountney, R., & Wheelahan, L. (2024). . In McPhail, G., Pountney, R., & Wheelahan, L. (Eds.) Emerging Perspectives from Social Realism on Knowledge and Education. Curricula, pedagogy, identity and equity. (pp. 3-19). London: Routledge:
Pountney, R., & McPhail, G. (2024). . In McPhail, G., Pountney, R., & Wheelahan, L. (Eds.) Emerging Perspectives from Social Realism on Knowledge and Education. (pp. 216-235). London: Routledge:
Pountney, R., & Coldwell, M. (2024). . In McPhail, G., Pountney, R., & Wheelahan, L. (Eds.) Emerging Perspectives from Social Realism on Knowledge and Education. (pp. 142-161). London: Routledge:
Pountney, R. (2024). . In Czerniawski, G., Jones, S., Holmes-Henderson, A., Pountney, R., Pugh, V.-.M., & Yang, W. (Eds.) Curriculum in a changing world: 50 think pieces on education, policy, practice, innovation & inclusion. London: British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association:
Pountney, R. (2024). . In Czerniawski, G., Jones, S., Holmes-Henderson, A., Pountney, R., Pugh, V.-.M., & Yang, W. (Eds.) Curriculum in a changing world: 50 think pieces on education, policy, practice, innovation & inclusion. London: British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association:
Pountney, R., & Swift, D. (2024). . In Rata, E. (Ed.) Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Handbook on Curriculum and Education. (pp. 281-292). Edward Elgar Publishing:
Pountney, R., & Swift, D. (2024). . In Rata, E. (Ed.) Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Handbook on Curriculum and Education. (pp. 281-292). Edward Elgar Publishing:
Pountney, R., & Swift, D. (2024). . In Rata, E. (Ed.) Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Handbook on Curriculum and Education. (pp. 280-291). Cheltenham: Edward Elgar Publishing:
Pountney, R., & Timmers, K. (2023). . In Yang, W., Kewalramani, S., & Senthil, J. (Eds.) Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (STEAM) Education in the Early Years : Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. (pp. 195-208). London: Routledge:
Pountney, R., & Timmers, K. (2023). THE DESIGN OF THE CURRICULUM FOR SUSTAINABILITY AND CLIMATE EDUCATION IN THE EARLY YEARS. In Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics (Steam) Education in the Early Years: Achieving the Sustainable Development Goals. (pp. 195-208).
Books
McPhail, G., Pountney, R., & Wheelahan, L. (n.d.). Emerging Perspectives from Social Realism on Knowledge and Education. Routledge.
Reports
Pountney, R. (2022). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Pountney, R., Booth, J., & Campbell, R. (2021). . Ï㽶ÊÓƵ.
Pountney, R. (2019). . Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ for The Steiner Waldorf Schools Fellowship.
Theses / Dissertations
Windle, D. (2024). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Pountney, R., & Mccaig, C.
Pountney, R. (2014). . (Doctoral thesis). Supervised by Merchant, G.
Internet Publications
Richardson, M., Yang, W., & Pountney, R. (2023). . [PDF (download)].
Richardson, M., Yang, W., & Pountney, R. (2023). . [PDF (download)].
Richardson, M., Yang, W., & Pountney, R. (2023). . [PDF (download)].
Presentations
Perry, E., Booth, J., Bevins, S., Pountney, R., & Halliday, J. (2022). Supporting Teacher Leadership Development: Roles, Growth and Ï㽶ÊÓƵ. Presented at: NARST
Perry, E., & Pountney, R. (2019). Cross-curricular science. Presented at: ASE Futures conference, Sheffield
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: Does curriculum matter?, Sheffield, UK, 2019
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: Does curriculum matter?, Sheffield, UK, 2019
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: Does curriculum matter?, Sheffield, UK, 2019
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: A social realist methodology: how Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) informs our educational research, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: A social realist methodology: how Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) informs our educational research, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Pountney, R. (2019). . Presented at: A social realist methodology: how Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) informs our educational research, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ
Perry, E., Jordan, J., Pountney, R., & Boylan, M. (2018). Professional development facilitators: theorising knowledge, skills and practice. Presented at: British Educational Ï㽶ÊÓƵ Association conference, Newcastle
Pountney, R., Rata, E., & McPhail, G. (2017). . Presented at: Epistemic justice: knowledge and the school curriculum, Sheffield, 2017
Pountney, R., Rata, E., & McPhail, G. (2017). . Presented at: Epistemic justice: knowledge and the school curriculum, Sheffield, 2017
Pountney, R., Rata, E., & McPhail, G. (2017). . Presented at: Epistemic justice: knowledge and the school curriculum, Sheffield, 2017
Pountney, R. (2015). . Presented at: Social Realism Symposium: International perspectives on knowledge and the curriculum, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 2015
Pountney, R. (2015). . Presented at: Social Realism Symposium: International perspectives on knowledge and the curriculum, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 2015
Pountney, R. (2015). . Presented at: Social Realism Symposium: International perspectives on knowledge and the curriculum, Sheffield Institute of Education, Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, 2015
Pountney, R. (2015). . Presented at: A fair exchange? Sharing the Social Science curriculum in the context of the Open Education movement in Higher Education, Faculty of Education, University of Wellington, New Zealand, 2015
Pountney, R., Aldred, E., Kirk, S., & Ladenika, T. (2014). . Presented at: Using Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) to develop external languages of description in empirical research in education, Sheffield, UK, 2014
Pountney, R., Aldred, E., Kirk, S., & Ladenika, T. (2014). . Presented at: Using Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) to develop external languages of description in empirical research in education, Sheffield, UK, 2014
Pountney, R., Aldred, E., Kirk, S., & Ladenika, T. (2014). . Presented at: Using Legitimation Code Theory (LCT) to develop external languages of description in empirical research in education, Sheffield, UK, 2014
Pountney, R. (2014). . Presented at: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ seminar, Leicester, UK, 2014
Pountney, R., & Bamford, S. (2003). Developing the Use of Virtual Learning Environments: Meeting Staff Needs. Presented at: ALT-C 2003 Communities of Practice, University of Sheffield, Sheffield, 2003
Other activities
Co-convenor BERA Curriculum, Assessment and Pedagogy SIG
Steering Group BERA British Curriculum Forum
Postgraduate supervision
Curriculum, assessment and pedagogy; knowledge and knowledge theory; mentoring; teacher education.
Danny Drijvers: Perceived course barriers and drivers for students in distance education, MSc 2015
Julie Gillin: Learning to be a journalist: the university newsroom as a technology enhanced learning environment, MSc 2015
Marc Bennett: ReCap: The links between lecture capture and student engagement, MSc 2015
Sue Beckingham: The affordances of Twitter as a multi-faceted informal, social, and personal learning space, MSc 2015
Marianne De Vriendt: Implementing blended learning, in the form of a learning network, to enhance social learning, MSc. 2014
Koen Timmers: Supporting the online learner: a case study of building an online community to promote collaborative learning in unpaced distance education, MSc. 2014
Dave Weatherall: An investigation into use of online blogs for in module reflective learning by international students (with English as a third language) studying undergraduate block programmes in the Built Environment at Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, MSc. 2014
Christiaan van Meurs: The use of coping strategies as a means of fostering personal development for students with a disability: a case study, MSc. 2014
Aukje van Pelt: Student admission through decentralised selection at the Physiotherapy course of HAN University of Applied Sciences, The Netherlands, MSc. 2014
Claire Adams: The impact of design: A study exploring the role of aesthetics and learning design in facilitating user engagement in an online learning environment, MSc. 2013
Marcel van Baaren: A plan for learning for a course on digital pedagogy for e-learning developers. MSc. 2013
Rene Slootweg: Learning Profile of managers in a Higher Educational Institute in the Netherlands. MSc, 2013
Philipp Stosiek: Tag clouds as a learning instrument: Case study to evaluate effects on ‘Learning Health Region Neumarkt’, MSc. 2012
Joop De Vries: The Community of Inquiry framework as a model for measuring learning outcomes and guide for design of a blended teacher training history module: a case study. MSc, 2012
Virginia Parkes: An Evaluation of Online Training and Development within the Training and Development Agency. MSc, 2012
Sebastiaan Jans: Game-based Learning: a research of the potential benefits in education. MSc. 2011
Arjun Sharma: City Learning Centres UK: an exploratory study. MSc, 2009
Marc Wells: Designing a 'fit for purpose' virtual learning environment for a distance learning community, MSc, 2009
Abdulsalam Ambusaidi: Quality Assurance for Online Programs at Sultan Qaboos University: challenges and facts, MSc, 2008
Mohamed Mahmoud: Online Journals of E-learning In Education: Ï㽶ÊÓƵ, Practice and Development, MSc, 2008
Roger Haigh: Engaging Interests in e-learning. Examining the potential for a community of e learning practice within South Yorkshire Police, MSc, 2008
Fareena Mahmoud: Trial and evaluation of a key asynchronous e-learning intervention to provide study skills support to undergraduate students, MSc, 2008
Pat Cresswell: Developing the skills for the effective use of a virtual learning environment at a Further Education College, MSc, 2008
Michael Yates: The implications of the introduction of a blended learning solutions induction programme into South Yorkshire Police : A Case Study, MSc, 2006
Ian Guest: The Contribution of videoconferencing to a distance learning A level course: Just a Big Head?, MSc. 2006
Sue Bamford: Developing the use of the Virtual Learning Environment: an investigation into the use of Blackboard within a Primary programme for Initial Teacher Training, MSc, 2006
Vic Whittaker: Individual Presence in Discussion Groups: A Case Study, MSc, 2006