Rebecca Turner

Research interests

My research relates primarily to issues affectingthe practice styles, identities and research activities of lecturers working ina number of HE settings.  The key issues I am interesting in are:

i) New academics and their practice styles – Today’s universities are international in their outlook,with staff and students drawn from a wide range of countries. They bring withthem professional and educational knowledge constructed under differingcultural contexts to those they are now operating in. Context plays asignificant role in determining the approach academics take to teaching, yetthis is rarely recognised explicitly in programmes for new staff (Trigwell& Prosser, 1996).  Along with Dr Rong Haung, Dr Nick Pratt & PollyMagne, we are examining the knowledge new academics draw upon in their firstyear of teaching, the influence of differing cultural and professionalbackgrounds, and the contribution this makes to their professional practice.

ii) The emerging professional identities of HE in FE lecturers - FEcolleges deliver a range of vocational, academic and recreational courses,however the majority of these courses are validated and inspected by externalbodies.  The introduction of Foundation Degrees resulted in a changein the working practices of colleges and lecturers.  For thefirst time lecturers had the freedom to design their own courses. However, they also had to adapt to this new qualification, new quality systems,new collaborative partnerships with universities and consider flexiblemodes of delivery.  Lecturers also had opportunities to undertake HE staffdevelopment activities including scholarly activity and research. These changes in college lecturers working practices could have aconsiderable impact upon individuals’ professional identity, especiallyfor those who are teaching HE and FE courses.  The emergingprofessional identities of HE in FE lecturers are being explored, with aparticularly attention been placed on the role scholarly activity and researchplays in these new identities.     

iii) Reward & Recognition - numerous strategies (e.g. promotions/ award schemes) have been used to recognise and reward universityand college lecturers for their contributions to learning and teaching. The positive and negative implications of such schemes have been recorded (e.g.Ramsden & Martin, 1996).  Currently, with Professor David Gosling, weare examining the impact of national policy agendas (e.g. Centres forExcellence in Teaching and Learning) designed to raise the profile of teachingand learning through practices of reward and recognition.

iv) Writing as a mode of inquiry - Writing isan integral aspect of the life of every academic.  Scholarly outputs demonstrate the lecturer’sconnection with their field of knowledge, the pedagogical imperatives of theirpractice, the skills base they need to perform their complex roles and todisseminate to the wider community.  Yet traditionally academics receivelimited support to develop their academic writing.  With Dr Tony Brown(University of Bristol), Dr Ken Gale & Dr Liz McKenzie, we are examiningdifferent methods of writing, introducing academics to different styles andapproaches, in order to support their scholarly development.  Through thiswork we are considering how writing can be used as a method on inquiry(Richardson & St Pierre, 2000) to support and promote the development ofnew academics working across a range of educational settings.  

 

UoP Research group membership

Transitions in Adult Education Research Network 

Grants & contracts

Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory, University ofPlymouth (£11,567) Project title: Becoming a university lecturer in theUK: Negotiating knowledge, experience and learning (Co-PI Dr Rong Haung, DrNick Pratt & Ms, Polly Magne, University of Plymouth).

Pedagogic Research Instituteand Observatory, University of Plymouth (£8,298) Project title: The Application of Writing as Method of Inquiry andPedagogic Practice: the promotion and enhancement of teaching, learning,research and scholarly activity within a framework of continuing professionaldevelopment. (Co-Pi: Dr Ken Gale & Dr Liz McKenzie, University ofPlymouth).

SEDA Research &Evaluation Small Grants 2011 (£500): April 2011-July 2012.  Project title: Evaluation of a university teaching fellowship schemeas a tool to promote pedagogic research and development (Co-PI: with Priska Schoenborn,University of Plymouth)

HEA HE in FEEnhancement Programme (£5,000): July 2010-2011 to organise fourone-day research skills workshops aimed at supporting HE in FE lecturers /managers to engage in scholarly activity and research

University of PlymouthTeaching Fellowship Award (£5,000): July 2010-September 2011:  Project title: Evaluate the use of enterpriseto create synergies between graduate skills development, career management andsuccessful induction.

HEA HE in FEEnhancement Programme (£5,000): July 2009-2010 to organise three one-dayresearch skills workshops aimed at supporting HE in FE lecturers / managers toengage in scholarly activity and research

British Institute ofArchaeology at Ankara: Travel Grant (£400) for fieldwork in Anatolia,Turkey.

 

 

Publications

Peer Reviewed Publications

Pedagogic Research:

Gale, K.J., Turner, R., &McKenzie, L.M. (2011). Communities of Praxis? Scholarship and practice stylesof the HE in FE professional. Journal of Vocational Education and Training,63, 159-169.

Mason, M., Mann, J., Bardsley, J.R.& Turner, R. (2010). College lecturers experiences of scholarlyactivity and research in an FE College. The Practice and Evidence of theScholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 5, 115-136.http://www.pestlhe.org.uk/index.php/pestlhe/article/view/90/205 

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M. & Stone,M. (2009). ‘Square peg – round hole’: the emerging professional identities ofHE in FE lecturers working in a partner college network in south west England. Researchin Post-Compulsory Education, 14, 355-368.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M., McDermott,A.P. & Stone, M. (2009). Emerging HE cultures: perspectives from CETL AwardHolders in a partner college network. Journal of Further and HigherEducation, 33, 255-263.

Turner, R., Young, P., Menon, S. &Stone, M. (2008). 'In the sunshine': a case study exploring the impact of aCETL award scheme. Journal of Further and Higher Education, 32,441-448.

In press:

Summers, D. & Turner, R. (inpress). Outside the green box: embedding Education for Sustainable Developmentthrough co-operative inquiry. Education Action Research.

Fitzsimons, J. & Turner, R.(in press). Project-based Learning Using Web 2.0 Technologies. Journal ofApplied Research in Higher Education.

In review:

Turner, R., Brown, T. &Edwards-Jones, A. (in review). “Writing my first academic article feels likedancing around naked:” the use of a writing group to support new academics todevelop their research practices. Submitted to: International Journal forAcademic Development.

Turner, R. & Gosling, D.(in review). Lost in translation? Therole of reward and recognition in the Centres for Excellence in Teaching andLearning.  Submitted to: HigherEducation Quarterly. 

 

Physical Geography:

Vannière, B., Power, M.J., Roberts, N.,Tinner, W., Carrión, J., Magny, M., Bartlein, P. Colombaroli, D., Daniau, A.L.,Finsinger, W., Gil-Romera, G., Kaltenrieder, P., Pini, R., Sadori, L., Turner,R., Valsecchi,V., & Vescovi, E. (2011). Circum-Mediterranean fireactivity and climate changes during the mid-Holocene environmental transition(8500-2500 cal. BP). The Holocene, 21, 53-73.

Turner, R., Roberts, N.,Eastwood, W.J., Jenkins, E. & Rosen, A. (2010) Fire, climate and theorigins of agriculture: micro-charcoal records of biomass burning during theLast Glacial Interglacial Transition in Southwest Asia. Journal ofQuaternary Science, 25, 371–386. 

England, A., Eastwood, W.J., Roberts,N., Turner, R., Haldon, J. (2008). Late Holocene environmental change inCappadocia (central Turkey): investigation of annually-laminated lake sedimentsfrom Nar Gölü crater lake. The Holocene, 18, 1229-1245.

Turner, R., Roberts, N.,& Jones, M.D. (2008). Climatic pacing of Mediterranean fire histories fromlake sedimentary microcharcoal. Global and Planetary Change, 63,317-324.

Chapters in Conference Proceedings

Pedagogic Research:

Stone, M. & Turner, R.(2010). From FDTL to CETL: reflections on a journey.  In: L. Hodson & R. Segal (eds.), FDTLVoices: drawing from the learning and teaching projects: 57-67. The HigherEducation Academy, York.

Stone, M., Turner, R., Dismore,H. & Groucutt, C. (2009). Supporting an Art & Design community ofpractice across an HE in FE network. In: Clews, D (ed.), Dialogues in Art& Design: promoting and sharing excellence: 170-175.  Art Design & Media Subject Centre,Brighton.

Physical Geography:

Turner, R., Kelly, A. &Roberts N. (2008). A critical assessment and experimental comparison ofmicroscopic charcoal extraction methods. In: G. Fiorentino & D. Magri(eds.), Charcoal from the past: cultural and palaeoenvironmentalimplications. Proceedings of the Third International Meeting of Anthracology,Cavallino (Lecce), June 2004. Edited by BAR International Series, Archaeopress,Oxford, UK.

Edited Book

Turner, R., Hughes, J &Brown, T. (2009). Putting the I into Identity and other stories: scholarlyapproaches to professional identity and development of HE practitioners in FEColleges. HELP CETL/ESCalate, University of Bristol.

Peer-reviewed conference Papers

Pedagogic Research

McKenzie, L.M., Turner, R. &Gale, K.J. (2011). The impact of widening participation on HE in FE practice.Paper presented at the Discourse, Power and Resistance in Education Conference2011, 13-15th of April, University of Plymouth, UK. 

Turner, R. & Gosling, D.(2010). Centres for Excellence in Teaching and Learning: reflections on theconclusion of a major policy initiative to enhance teaching and learning inhigher education in England. Paper presented at SRHE Annual Conference 14-16thDecember, 2010 Celtic Manor – Newport South Wales.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M.& Stone, M. (2010).  “Questions,answers and more questions…”college lecturers experiences of engaging in thescholarship of teaching and learning. Paper presented at ISSOTL 2010, 19th-22ndOctober, Liverpool.

Turner, R. (2010).Experiences of practitioner-researchers in the University of Plymouth PartnerCollege Network. A keynote presentation at the South West Learning & SkillsResearch Network Annual Conference, 8th July 2010.  Buckfast Abby, Totnes.

Brown, T., Turner, R. &Hughes, J. (2010). Putting the I into identity. The Higher Education Academy’sAnnual Conference 2010: Shaping the Future. 22nd–23rd June 2010, University ofHertfordshire, Hatfield.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M.& Gale, K. (2010).  Opportunityknocks? Implications of the expansion in Higher Education provision in FurtherEducation College lecturers’ identities. The 2nd International Conference forAcademic Identities: Academic Identities in the 21st Century, 16th – 18th June2010, Centre for Academic Practice and Learning Enhancement, University ofStrathclyde, Glasgow.

Turner, R. (2010). Lookingfrom the outside in – lecturers experiences of the expansion in HE provision inFE colleges. ESCalate-JISC HE in FE Conference, Warwickshire College, Leamington Spa.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M.& Stone, M. (2009).  The HE in FEpractitioner: an emerging identity or a confused nomad? Society for Research inHigher Education Annual Conference, Celtic Manor – Newport South Wales. 8th –10th December 2009

Turner, R. McKenzie, L.M.& Stone, M. (2009).  Hybridzones?  The emerging HE-in-FE ethos ofcolleges in South West England. LSRN National Conference, Thistle Marble Arch,London. 11th December 2009.

Stone, M. & Turner, R. (2009). Learning from Leading. FDTL Final Conference. National College for SchoolLeadership, Nottingham. 3rd – 4th November 2009.

Stone, M. Turner, R., Dismore,H., Groucutt, C.C. (2009). Supporting an art and design community of practiceacross an HE in FE network. GLAD Conference 2009: Dialogues in Art and Design:Promoting and Sharing Excellence 21st -22nd October 2009.  York St John University, York.

Turner, R., Gale, K. &McKenzie, L.M. (2009).  Research andscholarly activity: changing professional identities and practice styles withinthe emerging HE in FE sector. Paper presented at the BERA Annual Conference,University of Manchester 2-5th September 2009.

Turner, R. McKenzie, L.M.,Gray, C. & Stone, M. (2009). Reconceptualising identity – scholarly activity and the HE in FEprofessional.  Paper presented at theSouth West Learning & Skills Research Network Annual Conference: WhoseClass is it anyway? Regulation and Autonomy in the further education andlifelong learning sector.  DillingtonHouse, Ilminister, 10th July 2009.

Turner, R. & Gray, C.(2009). When does a college lecturer become an HE lecturer? Perspectives fromcollege practitioners and implications for HE in FE development.  Paper presented at the QAA HE in FECs LiaisonGroup & Higher Education Academy’s annual Conference: Furthering HigherEducation 2009: Improving the HE in FE student experience 30th January 2009.Aston Business School, Aston University.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M.& Stone, M. (2008). The changing professional identifies of lecturersworking within HE in an FE context. Paper presented at BERA Annual Conference3-6th September 2008.  Herriot-WattUniversity, Edinburgh.

Turner, R. & McKenzie,L.M. (2008). The HE experience: connecting practitioners’ views. Paperpresented at The VC’s Teaching & Learning Conference. Roland LevinskyBuilding, University of Plymouth, 4th July 2008.

Turner, R., Gray, C.,Swain, J., McKenzie, E. & Stone M. (2008). Developing a HE culture within adisparate HE in FE partnership. Paper presented at The Teaching – ResearchInterface: implications for practice in HE and FE.  Stirling Management Centre, University ofStirling 29 – 30th April 2008.

Turner, R., McKenzie, L.M.,McDermott, A.P., Witt, N.A.J. & Stone, M.A.H.. (2007). Promoting thecapacity for research and scholarly activity within the context of HigherEducation in Further Education: issues of culture. Paper presented at ReshapingHigher Education SRHE Annual Conference 2007, Brighton, 11 – 13th December2007.

 

Physical Geography:

Roberts, N. & Turner, R. (2007).East Mediterranean fire histories since the Last Glacial Maximum from lakesedimentary micro-charcoals. Proceedings of the XVII INQUA Congress, 28th July- 3rd  August 2007. Cairns Australia.  Abstract published in QuaternaryInternational, 346, 167-168.

Turner, R., Roberts, N.,England, M.D. & England, A. (2006), Climate pacing of Mediterranean firehistories from lake sedimentary micro-charcoals. 10th InternationalPalaeolimnology Symposium. Duluth, Minnesota, USA. June 25th to 29th 2006.

Turner, R. & Roberts,N. (2005). Mediterranean fire histories from micro-charcoal analysis:analytical methods and preliminary results. Charcoal to Black Carbon: definingcommon issues of quantification and interpretation in archaeological,palaeoenvironmental and carbon cycle research: ESF Exploratory Workshop.University of St Andrews, Scotland. August 31st to September 2nd 2005.

Turner, R. & Roberts,N. (2005). Mediterranean fire histories from micro-charcoal analysis:analytical methods and preliminary results. Quaternary Research Associations4th International Postgraduate Symposium, School of Geography, University ofPlymouth, UK. August 31st to September 2nd 2005.

Turner R. & Roberts,N. (2004). The reconstruction of Eastern Mediterranean fire histories usingmicroscopic charcoals: a comparative analysis of available methods. QuaternaryResearch Association Postgraduate Symposium, Belgian Royal Institute of NaturalSciences. September 14thto 17th 2004.

Turner R. & Roberts,N.  (2004). The reconstruction of EasternMediterranean fire histories using microscopic charcoals: a comparativeanalysis of available methods. III International Meeting of Anthracology:Charcoals from the past, Lecce. June 28th to July 1st 2004.

Turner, R. (2003). LateQuaternary fire history in the Eastern Mediterranean region. Quaternary Research Association Postgraduate Symposium, Queen Mary University. September12th to 14th 2003.

 

 

 

Conferences organised

Conferences organised

The 2010 South West Learning &Skills Research Network Conference. Buckfast Abby, Totnes. 8th July, 2010.

The 2010 Vice Chancellors Teaching andLearning Conference, University of Plymouth,30th June 2010.

The 2009 South West Learning &Skills Research Network Conference, Dillington House, Ilminister, 10th July2009.

HE in FE Culture and Experiences: apartnership perspective.  University ofWarwick, 30th-31st March 2009.

The 2009 National Learning & SkillsResearch Network Conference, Thistle, Marble Arch London, 11th December2009. 

The Quaternary Research Association 4thInternational Postgraduate Symposium, 31st August - 2nd September 2005, Schoolof Geography, University of Plymouth. Co-organised with postgraduate members ofthe Quaternary Research Group.

 

Links

Higher Education Learning Partnership: http://www.help-cetl.ac.uk/

Homepage of Leverhulme funded project on Eastern Mediterranean climatic and environmental change through the last glacial-interglacial transition http://www.geog.plymouth.ac.uk/footprint/