Professor Vanessa Kind delivers 2nd Faculty Inaugural Lecture
The Faculty was delighted to host Professor Kind's lecture in celebration of her impressive research career.
On Wednesday 11 November, Professor Vanessa Kind gave the second lecture in the Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences Inaugural Lecture Series – a series which celebrates the achievement of colleagues who have been promoted to or appointed at the rank of Professor.
Professor Vanessa Kind is Professor of Education in the School of Education.
Vanessa delivering her inaugural lecture.
With a background in teaching chemistry, Vanessa’s research interests centre on science teacher knowledge, beliefs and pedagogical strategies. Her work explores how international teacher education policy and practice impact student learning outcomes.
Vanessa delivered her inaugural lecture, “Towards a new vision of science education for the 21st century: knowing that, knowing how and knowing why”, to an audience of colleagues, students, family and friends.
Audience enjoying Vanessa's inaugural lecture.
During the lecture, Vanessa reflected on how science teaching in schools has changed over the last forty years while considering her personal research career throughout those years, in which she questioned and experimented with how science was, and is, taught and learned.
In particular, she explained how her research inspired her to innovate pedagogical strategies to teach children scientific concepts that improved understanding and got away from rote learning.
The lecture was followed by a Q&A session, and finally by a drinks reception.
Vanessa delivering her inaugural lecture.
The third Faculty of Envrionment and Social Sciences Inaugural Lecture will be delivered by the School of Earth, Environment and Social Sciences’ Professor Alex Dunhill at 5pm on Thursday 26 November 2026.
If you are not a colleague or postgraduate researcher in the Faculty of Environment and Social Sciences and would like to be added to the mailing list for the series, please email Dr Izzy Jenkinson (Faculty Events and Communications Officer) at I.K.S.Jenkinson@leeds.ac.uk.
Audience question asked by Dr Peter Hart (School of Education).
