Kieron Kirkland, BA, MA
Researcher
Kieron’s current work as a researcher includes leading the Greater Expectations project, which is exploring how digital technology can support young people to engage with their rights and entitlements. He has also published work on overcoming barriers to educational innovation, and was part of the team that developed Spark – Futurelab’s mobile exhibition which showcases new and emerging technologies that can be used to support education.
Before joining Futurelab he developed and delivered education programmes as Practitioner-in-Residence for Shakespeare's Globe, ran cognitive behavioural programmes for adult and young adult offenders with the Probation Service, and undertook research in India exploring Theatre as a methodology for social change.
Kieron is particularly interested in how digital technologies can stimulate social interaction and engage learners with their physical environment, and participatory approaches to learning. He is a member of the play and participation, and health and well being research groups. In his spare time Kieron is a Magician and practices Martial Arts.
Research Interest Areas
Kieron is particularly interested in how digital technologies can stimulate social interaction and engage learners with their physical environment. As part of this he maintains an interest in augmented and mobile learning, as well as open source construction platforms like Arduino.
His background has brought forward a strong commitment and interest participatory approaches to learning. He is a member of the play and participation, and health and well being research groups.
Current Projects
Kieron is currently undertaking work with the Houses of Parliament education team to develop an online game for secondary students. This aims to develop their knowledge and understanding of Parliamentary processes.
He is leading on a three year Becta funded project ‘Greater Expectations’. Entering its third year, the project has taken young people’s rights and entitlements as a foundation to develop an evolving web resource for 14-19 year olds.
Previous Posts
As practitioner in residence for Shakespeare’s Globe he developed and delivered a wide variety of education programmes in-house, and throughout London, with particular emphasis on the borough of Southwark. The work included developing a programme of learning using ‘in role’ work to support the delivery of the primary literacy strategy.
For the probation service he ran three different cognitive change programmes for adult and young adult offenders. The work included conducting semi-structured interviews to assess offender’s suitability for the programmes, and writing reports on individual’s progress through the sessions. The different programmes specifically addressed domestic abuse, aggression replacement, and general offending.
Conferences/Presentations
SWGfL ICT Conference Bristol (July 2009)
Government/Policy Reports
‘Overcoming Barriers to Educational innovation’ for Becta 2009
kieron [dot] kirkland [at] futurelab [dot] org [dot] uk
0117 915 8233
Skype: kieron.kirkland.futurelab