Biography

Hilary Constable is an experienced academic and has been a Professor for 25 years. Currently she

  • supervises and examines PhD students
  • researches and writes
  • runs writing retreats and coaches academic writers

These last two are combined in current projects preparing on-line learning materials for research supervisors and a book on supervision focussing on Thinking for PhDs.

Her interests are united through two continuing themes:

  • The role of thinking and writing in the development of new researchers and academics
  • The management of change in learning

Professor Constable works gleefully with colleagues reflecting on supervision processes and has a passion for enthusing and sustaining new researchers and writers.  She has extensive experience in distance learning with international students teaching leadership and led two workshops in the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia on Faculty Evaluation. 

Working in medical research she specialised in cell and tissue culture for the Medical Research Council Unit for the Experimental Pathology of Skin using electron microscopy.

Following lecturing at Leeds University, Dr Constable was appointed reader and subsequently Professor of Education Research and Evaluation. On leaving Sunderland she was awarded the status of Professor Emerita.

Work with the government Training and Development Agency

Managed and quality assured 59 research and development projects in innovative practice

Represented the Agency on the steering group of an international mathematics education project.

Extensive experience of evaluation carrying out independent reviews for universities on a range of subjects, for example:

The Experience of Assessment: academic staff, administrators and students

Key Skills in Art and Design.

A strategic response for Scottish Agricultural College in changing demographic of rural population.

Distance Learning in Business and Law

Assessment of Group and Teamwork in HE

Accomplished designer of learning materials and has coached university professionals in designing learning materials and reviewed distance-learning materials and publications. 

An experienced supervisor having successfully supervised and examined PhD students and has PhDs in progress.  She is a member of the editorial panel for Research in Education

And has completed an Extended National Diploma in Horticulture at Askham Bryan College (Newton Rigg).