In this webinar, Helen Bowhay, Director of Initial Teacher Education at the University of Nottingham, will introduce the key findings from her research into the lived experiences of autistic teachers in education.
Despite increasing attention to diversity and inclusion for children and young people, there remains a significant lack of research that addresses these issues for underrepresented groups in the teaching workforce. Grounded in the critical realist paradigm, this research seeks to move beyond surface level understandings by uncovering the deeper, social, cultural and structural mechanisms that shape autistic teachers’ experiences in schools.
The event will offer a space for consideration and dialogue into the assumptions that underpin our conception of a ‘good’ teacher and consider how the teaching profession might reimagine inclusion beyond accommodation.
Speakers:
Helen Bowhay is Director of Initial Teacher Education at the University of Nottingham. She began her career as a science teacher before moving into higher education in 2004. Prior to taking on her current role, Helen was Course Leader for the Secondary PGCE programme. Over the course of her career at the university, she has taught across a wide range of Initial Teacher Education programmes, including PGCE, Graduate Teacher Programme (GTP), Teach First, and PGCES programmes. Helen’s work is underpinned by a strong commitment to inclusion, belonging, and creating equitable learning environments for both trainee teachers and the pupils they serve.
Rob Caudwell is the co-founder of Penrose Education – the EdTech company behind the Mosaic platform. He holds an undergraduate MA in International Relations, an MA in Education and Leadership and is currently studying for an MSc in Systems Thinking in the Public Sector. He has experience leading the delivery of various ITE, ECF and NPQ programmes – as well as leading the teacher development offer for a large Multi Academy Trust. At Penrose Education, Robert works with ITE providers to support the design, delivery and management of their teacher training and education programmes via Mosaic.