Project Lead – Prof. Berry Billingsley
Berry Billingsley specialises in Science Education and leads the LASAR (Learning about Science and Religion) Research Centre and the Epistemic Insight Initiative based at Canterbury Christ Church University. Berry’s first career was with the BBC where she produced and presented television and radio programmes including BBC World Service’s ‘Science in Action’, BBC TV’s ‘Tomorrow’s World’ and BBC Education’s ‘Search out Science’.
Research Fellow/Research Co-ordinator – Sherralyn Simpson
Sherry is an experienced FE lecturer, and a registered Careers Development Professional. She is currently studying for a Doctorate in Education at CCCU. In her Research Fellow role, Sherry leads the Essential experiences in science project alongside her work with the Investigating Big Questions (Covid-recovery) project. Sherry also coordinates research activities across the suite of LASAR projects.
Research Fellow/Project Manager – Dr. Aga Gordon
Aga has a PhD in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry, an MBA (Open) and is a fully qualified chemistry specialist teacher. She worked as an Associate Professor in Quantum Chemistry at the University of Wroclaw for twelve years and has published over 40 peer reviewed research papers in international journals. In her Project Manager role Aga oversees the Epistemic Insight Initiative strands and associated projects. As a Research Fellow she leads the consortium of eight collaborating HE Institutions, supporting ITE tutors in embedding epistemic insight into their teacher education programmes.
Research Fellow – Finley Lawson
Finley has over 10 years experience in primary and secondary schools as an educational support worker and Religious Studies specialist. Finley is the lead fellow for the schools’ and outreach work and is interested in the influence of Epistemic Insight on student aspiration and widening participation on HE. With the Schools and College Engagement Team he designed, and researches the impact of, the Inspiring Minds Programme. He also leads the integration of Epistemic Insight into Key Stage 3 curricula (age 11-14) through the Permeable Walls Project. He has a Research Masters in Philosophy from the University of London and is undertaking a part-time PhD in Theology and Science at CCCU.
Research Fellow – Laura Hackett
Laura is a qualified Early Years Teacher and has been in education for 10 years, with experience of primary and secondary schools as a TA, Teacher and Researcher. Laura has an MA in Early Years Education and currently heads up the Investigating Big Questions (IBQ) project.
Research Fellow – Mina Cullimore
Mina has extensive teaching experience in secondary schools in her leadership roles for RS, PSHE, SMSC, Careers, Citizenship, and developing multidisciplinary and multicultural events for young people from KS2 to KS5. In her research fellow role Mina works with secondary schools on the Permeable Walls action research project, and the BQiC project exploring big questions through Science and Religious Studies in Church of England schools. She delivers EI CPD to secondary teachers and RE PGCE trainees.
Research Fellow/Research Co-ordinator – Dr Sean Durbin
Sean Durbin received his PhD from Macquarie University in Sydney, Australia. His research expertise centres around the critical and social scientific study of religion, focusing especially on religion and politics, and the performative nature of religious discourse, publishing widely on these topics. From 2014 to 2019 he was editor of the journal Relegere: Studies in Religion and Reception. He has held research and teaching positions at Macquarie University, The University of Newcastle, and Australian Catholic University. As a LASAR research fellow, Sean is working on data analysis related to research conducted on perceptions of science and religion in schools, and writing on how critical methods in the academic study of religion can help develop epistemic insight.
Research Fellow/ Research Co-ordinator – Dr. Dani Shalet
Dani graduated from the University of Kent in 2015 with a PhD in Science and Religion. She lectured in theology and religious studies at the University of Kent for over 7 years and is currently a Lecturer in education at Canterbury Christ Church University. Dani co-leads the New Generation Teachers project, an online tool that encourages young people to pursue a career in teaching.
Research Fellow – Dr Mehdi Nassaji
Mehdi’s BSc was in Control Engineering. He then completed two MA degrees in Education and in Philosophy of Science. His PhD was on the idea of Plurality of Truth, arguing that there can be a number of different true claims, including religious truths that are not necessarily reducible or translatable to science. Mehdi’s work as Research Fellow focuses on data analysis, publication writing and workshop development.