Skip to main content
Research centre

Mathematics and Science Education (MaSE)

Children looking at coloured liquids in large tubes

We have a global reputation for research in the areas of mathematics and science education.

Part of Education

About

We are an internationally recognised centre for excellence in research in Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) education. We aim to create new knowledge and to provide a base for interdisciplinary research and collaboration that addresses local, national, and global challenges. 

We are committed to research in:

  • early mathematics learning and mathematics education in the classroom
  • decision-making, argumentation, and engagement with socio-scientific issues
  • assessment, argumentation, reasoning and proof in secondary and HE mathematics 
  • environmental and sustainability education
  • informal learning environments for STEM education, such as outdoor, museum and family learning
  • the use of digital technologies and new technologies for teaching and learning in STEM, including Computer-Aided Assessment and Interactive Theorem Provers
  • innovative pedagogies in STEM (e.g. game-based learning)
  • teachers’ mathematics and science subject knowledge and teacher preparation
  • design, development and evaluation of textbook and curriculum resources for teaching and learning in STEM

We welcome PhD applications related to the above areas and encourage communication with MaSE research members to discuss ideas further.

Find out more about our research and activity on our MaSE blog.

Research highlights

Protecting communities against viruses

An education programme developed at the University, designed to help primary school children protect themselves from the spread of COVID-19, is now available to young people across the UK.

Inspiring young people to make positive lifestyle choices

An education and medicine collaboration helps youngsters make informed decisions about their health and wellbeing in the face of the pandemic.

People, projects and publications

People

Miss Amy Peters

Research interests

  • Writing-to-learn
  • Cognitive processes
  • Quantitative methods

Email: a.peters@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Dr Andri Christodoulou

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Argumentation within scientific and socio-scientific contexts
  • Dialogic teaching
  • Socio-scientific inquiry-based learning

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: a.christodoulou@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Miss Aprillyana Utami

Research interests

  • Cross-cultural borders in science education
  • Pre-service science teachers
  • Contextual learning

Dr Athina Thoma

Lecturer

Research interests

  • Teaching and learning Mathematics at University level
  • Transitions between Secondary and University Mathematics
  • Students’ proof production – use of an interactive theorem prover

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: a.thoma@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Dr Ben Davies PhD

Lecturer

Research interests

  • Mathematics education
  • Comparative judgement
  • Assessment methods in higher education

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: ben.davies@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Dr Carys Hughes

Senior Teaching Fellow

Research interests

  • The science and values underpinning education for biodiversity
  • Teaching and learning about socio-scientific issues
  • Outdoor science education

Email: c.f.hughes@soton.ac.uk

Address: B34, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Dr Charis Voutsina

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Mathematics Learning in the Early Years and Primary school education
  • Family engagement and socio-cultural influences in early mathematics learning
  • Teacher Education and Development

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: cv@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Professor Chris Brown

Head of School

Accepting applications from PhD students

Professor Christian Bokhove

Professor

Research interests

  • Mathematics education in the classroom
  • Technology use in schools
  • Research methods

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: c.bokhove@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Mr David Galbraith

Associate Professor

Research interests

  • Psychology of writing
  • Dual-process model of writing process
  • Expressive writing

Accepting applications from PhD students

Email: d.w.galbraith@soton.ac.uk

Address: B32, East Highfield Campus, University Road, SO17 1BJ

Back
to top