Roger Lock - Biology/Science Education Teacher And Researcher

Roger Lock

Biology/Science Education Teacher And Researcher

The purpose of this website is to have, in one place, access to a range of the publications from my career which are most frequently visited by fellow researchers and students.

Following a 43 year full time career of teaching in secondary schools, training science teachers and researching at the Universities of Leeds, Oxford and Birmingham, I took on consultancy work. From October 2011 to November 2021 I have worked part time on a number of projects involving curriculum development, practical work, argumentation, model-based learning and CPD for Biology/Science teachers overseas and in the UK. In 2021 I retired having published for the final time in 2020.

I am a biology specialist and the areas where I have expertise include

  • Initial and early career teacher education
  • Mentor training and coaching
  • Assessment, particularly of practical skills
  • Subject knowledge and pedagogy for beginning teachers
  • Fieldwork in biology
  • Using living things in teaching
  • Science education research

My experience includes CPD work with teachers from the UK, Pakistan, Cyprus, Chile, South Korea and Kazakhstan. For more information please contact me.

Research and Publications

The research and writing with which I have been involved falls within 4 broad areas. Each area has up to 3 inter-related strands. Follow the path through to find publications related to each strand. The most frequently cited publications are highlighted and many can be downloaded by clicking the links provided. I have also worked on the Subject Knowledge and Pedagogy in Initial Teacher Training (SKaPITT) Project.

Practical work in biology and science
Practical Work in Biology and Science
Pre-service teachers, mentors and induction
Pre-service Teachers, Mentors and Induction
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Genetic Engineering and Biotechnology
Creative Work, Nuffield Biology and Miscellaneous
Roger Lock - About Me

About Me

I was born and bred in East Harling, Norfolk, a small rural village in the Brecklands. My family lived in two pubs in the village, the White Hart and the Royal Oak. Harold and Enid Lock, my parents, worked in a fish and chip shop.

My interest in biology stemmed from living in a rural area. I collected and pressed wild flowers while in primary school and through working on various local farms in school holidays, built up a collection of birds' eggs - not something I am proud of now.

I graduated with a first class honours degree in Botany from the University of Aberdeen in the late 1960s. After a spell in industry, I returned to Aberdeen where I trained as a teacher. The three schools I taught in were in Kilmarnock, Birmingham and Leamington Spa, where I was a senior teacher and head of science at Trinity School. From the late 1970s to September 2011 I have worked in teacher education at the Universities of Leeds, Oxford and Birmingham, although I had a spell on the dole in the early 1980s. My PhD is on assessment of science practical skills, awarded by the University of Leeds in 1986. From October 2011 I have worked as a consultant on science education projects

A lifelong supporter of the Canaries, Norwich City FC, I also have interests in prehistory, folk art, folk dancing and music from skiffle to "dad rock"!

Contact Me

Please do not hesitate to contact me if you wish to know more about the research and publications hosted on this site.

Roger Lock - Contact