James D. Williams

Dr. James Williams is a senior lecturer in science education at the University of Sussex. He is also a freelance writer and education consultant. He has extensive experience in teaching and teacher education and has worked in a variety of state schools in inner London, South London and Surrey. He started as a science teacher and has taken on various roles in schools e.g. as a Head of Biology, Head of Year, Head of Science and Assistant Head. In 1997 he entered teacher education designing a distance learning teacher training course in Biology for Brunel University. In 2003 he moved to Sussex University where he was in charge of the PGCE Secondary provision. In 2008 he was awarded Chartered Science Teacher status.

Research

James’s research at the university is mainly concerned with science teachers’ understanding of the nature science. He has authored several academic papers on his research and his latest work also looks at the role of language in science. Another strand to his academic research is the issue of evolution and creationism in science teaching. In this respect he is a leading researcher and has delivered papers at international conferences e.g. at the Max Planck Institute in Dortmund, as well as being invited to present his work alongside Professor Richard Dawkins and A.C Grayling at a celebration to mark the 200th anniversary of the birth of Charles Darwin in central London.

Writing

James has written a number of books, articles and academic papers on education and science in general. He was a co-author of the very successful school science textbook series Hodder Science. He has also authored a book on management skills for heads of department, published by Routledge, Professional Leadership in Schools: Effective Middle Management and subject leadership.

His latest book is How to read and Understand Education Research. He has also published a book called, How Science Works: teaching and learning in the science classroom (continuum Books). He has written numerous articles for the TES and has contributed articles on education to the Guardian, Independent and Daily Telegraph. From 2009 - 2015 he was a TES NQT and Student Teacher forum host.

Television and Radio

James has made expert contributions to local and national news on television and radio for the BBC, ITN and Teachers’ TV. In 2006 James took on the role of the Deputy Head at the fictional Charles Darwin School in a six part reality TV show for Channel 4 called ‘That’ll teach ‘em’ where thirty 16 year olds were given a taste of 1950s science teaching.