Leading Professor to head up new education institute

23rd July 2013

Professor Samantha Twiselton has been appointed as Director of the newly created Sheffield Institute of Education at Sheffield Hallam University.

The new Institute brings the University's broad teacher and related workforce education offer together with two research centres, the Centre for Science Education and the Centre for Education and Inclusion Research. Professor Twiselton was previously Executive Dean in the faculty of education at the University of Cumbria where she worked for 6 years. Prior to that she held a number of senior academic roles in teacher education at St Martin's College, having previously taught in schools. With a wealth of experience in teacher education, curriculum development and language and literacy, Professor Twiselton has been heavily involved in influencing Government policy on teacher training, such as the introduction of masters level Initial Teacher Education. She was also involved in facilitating the advisory committee set up to help design the primary national curriculum under the previous Government. Professor Twiselton, who started her new role at Sheffield Hallam at the end of June, said: "I am looking forward to leading the Sheffield Institute of Education, working with expert practitioners and leading academics to improve teacher education further in the region. "There is a great deal of hidden talent that when brought together will create a great opportunity for learning and educational improvement. I am relishing the prospect of bringing my experience of working with creative and dynamic practitioners and academics to realise a vision for the Institute that will have a positive and measurable impact on policy and practice. "It is so refreshing to work for a University that is prepared to invest in such an important and exciting initiative at a time when many others are considering withdrawing from teacher education." The Sheffield Institute of Education will have around 157 full academic staff, more than 5000 students, and a turnover of around £25 million. Its remit includes undergraduate and postgraduate teaching, teacher education, research and knowledge transfer. By 2015, the Institute will be based in the University's new £30million development on Charles Street in Sheffield. The building was granted planning permission in the spring and work will begin later this year.