Meet the Team
The TKC for Spatial Reasoning Team is housed in the Clarice Building at the Univeristy of Glasgow. We collaborate with partners within and outwith the University to deliver on our mission is to lead research into the understanding of spatial reasoning and its application across all age groups in multiple contexts. From primary school to industry we believe it can support learning, creativity and productivity.
Get in touch at spatialreasoning@glasgow.ac.uk
Project Director - Prof Quintin Cutts MBE
For over 20 years, I’ve explored the educational foundations in one STEM subject - computing science - and in particular, why in a group of seemingly similar students, some succeeded and some failed. Like all STEM subjects, much of computing is invisible and has to be imagined. When I learned about spatial reasoning 10 years ago, and that a person’s spatial abilities could be improved quite easily, I realised we’d hit on something fundamental that our education system simply doesn’t address - here was the key to that all important ‘imagining” essential in STEM.
As part of our wider work in spatial reasoning, I am delighted to lead the STEM SPACE project. With this project, we hope to show that children who learn spatial reasoning skills from an early age are better-prepared to perform well in STEM as they move through secondary education. That, in turn, will help Scotland maintain the stream of highly-qualified graduates that the country needs to shape a better future for all of us.
Lead Researcher - Dr Jack Parkinson
I have been exploring the role of spatial skills development on STEM outcomes – predominantly computing science – for the past 9 years. I have led multiple international studies on the impact of spatial skills and spatial skills development on student outcomes.
For the past three years I have been the primary lead on the STEM SPACE Project, which I have expanded to 16 local authorities and over 300 schools, reaching thousands of pupils. The outcomes of the project have been hugely encouraging and I look forward to supporting the growth of the project.
University profile
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Resource Developers - Jenny Kenny and Susie Marshall
Jenny Kenny
With 18 years of teaching Mathematics in secondary schools and 5 years supporting primary colleagues with pedagogy, I have learned the value of providing rich, engaging learning experiences that enable all learners to reach their potential.
My own observations as a STEM SPACE Champion have shown the positive impact of spatial skills on learners’ experiences in Mathematics. This experience, alongside research, highlights the importance of making these opportunities accessible to all learners across Scotland.
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Susie Marshall
Having been involved in primary education in various ways for 30 years, as a class teacher, Depute and primary mathematics specialist, I have seen the importance of developing children’s confidence and conceptual understanding in mathematics.
Research shows that spatial reasoning skills can be practised and developed, therefore the possibility that this project’s work could help children overcome barriers to learning mathematics is so exciting.
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Project Officers - Claire Johnston and Anna Doyle
Claire Johnston
Developing high-quality, exciting and sustainable projects across education and industry to unlock potential has been the heart of my career for two decades. I’m particularly passionate about projects which champion equity which is embedded into all our activities in the Turner Kirk Centre for Spatial Reasoning. Anna and I have been a job-sharing duo since 2019.
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Anna Doyle
I bring over 30 years’ experience in project delivery, communications strategy, event management and community building. Since relocating to Scotland in 2016 a large focus has been on addressing diversity in tech roles via schools engagement programmes and developing connections between education and industry. It is exciting to be part of team delivering a programme proving to develop untapped skills in primary school age children, and exploring how Spatial Reasoning can be deployed across all levels of education and careers .
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