Dr Julie-Ann Sime
LecturerResearch Overview
My research interests are in innovation in technology-enhanced learning in post-compulsory education (including artificial intelligence in education). I am particularly interested in online learning in groups, teams and communities, the design-based learning research methodology, and social inclusion of students with dyslexia (and other specific learning differences), ADHD and autism.
Current Teaching
I have been teaching and supervising PhD research on the online, distance, Doctoral Programme in e-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning since it began in January 2008, playing a major role in establishing the programme. Previously, I was Director of the Masters Programme in Advanced Learning Technologies. I have a wide range of experience in teaching students at undergraduate, masters and doctoral level.
I am an experienced supervisor having supervised over 30 students to completion of their PhDs and have examined over 20 students as internal examiner. I supervise students, mostly on the Doctoral Programme in e-Research and Technology Enhanced Learning but also on the traditional route PhD programme, the Higher Education: Research, Evaluation & Enhancement Doctoral Programme and on the Master in Education and Social Justice Programme.
External Roles
I have been an education expert with the European Institute of Innovation and Technology (EIT) for 7+ years, advising on their funding programme planning and grant monitoring, accreditation and capacity building in HEIs.
I have experience of acting as an international expert for QQI (Ireland) assessing quality of Higher Education Institutions to deliver research degrees.
For 14 years, I have acted as an expert for the European Commission evaluating research project proposals, post-doctoral fellowship proposals and monitoring ongoing reearch projects for European Commission as well as funding bodies in UK, Spain, Denmark, Slovakia and Switzerland.
I am an experienced External Examiner of PhD theses and I have been an External Examiner for 4 Masters degree programmes at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh.
Research Grants
For over 30 years, I’ve gained funding for large European collaborative research projects (10+ project lasting 2-4 years), working with industrial partners and SMEs to research and design innovative virtual reality learning environments, that use games and simulations for learning, team training, online learning and artificial intelligence in education.
My research focuses on understanding how emerging technologies and pedagogies are used to create innovative learning environments for adult learners, including how to make learning more inclusive for those with autism, ADHD or dyslexia. I have published over 100 papers and commissioned reports in the field of Technology-Enhanced Learning/Artificial Intelligence in Education.
In 2021 I won a prestigious international award - the British Council Award for Digital Innovation in English Language Teaching (ELTon) - for the CIELL mobile app. In addition, I won a Judges' Commendation award for the app’s contribution to Equality, Diversity and Inclusion.
PhD Supervision Interests
I am interested in supervising research into innovation in technology enhanced learning (TEL) in post-compulsory education and training, particularly related to how educators design learning experiences and/or how they integrate innovative technologies and practices into their teaching. This include an interest in: game-based learning, virtual and augmented reality environments for training, networked learning, design for learning, massive open online courses (MOOCs), and open educational resources (OERs), learning analytics and artificial intelligence in education (chatbots, agents). Methodologies including design-based research, educational design research, participatory research, case studies, action research, phenomenographic studies, phenomenological studies, qualitative and mixed research methods.
Comics for Inclusive English Language Learning
01/12/2018 → 30/11/2020
Research
Digital Wellbeing Educators
01/09/2018 → 31/08/2020
Research
Visual/Video Literacies
31/12/2016 → 30/12/2018
Research
Statistics instruction modules for purposeful learning
01/02/2007 → 30/09/2008
Research
The Virtual Radiopharmacy - a Mindful Learning Environment
01/03/2002 → 28/02/2005
Research
ESRC funded CASE Studentship
01/10/2001 → 30/09/2004
Research
Advanced Training System for Emergency Management
01/01/2000 → 30/06/2003
Research
Environment for Team, Organisational and Individual Learning in Emergencies
15/09/1996 → 14/03/2001
Research
Design and Interactive Specification of COURSEware
01/01/1992 → 31/12/1994
Research
British Council ELTons Awards Ceremony 2021 (Winner of Digital Innovation Award)
Invited talk
Association for Learning Technology Annual Conference
Other
COMICS: The role of visual language and media for inclusive technology-enhanced learning
Invited talk
Mapping the territory of digital wellbeing interventions
Invited talk
Overcoming challenges in the digital world
Invited talk
Visual Literacies
Other
Visual Literacies (MOOC Spring 2018)
Other
External Examiner (PhD)
Examination
Networked Learning Conference
Other
External Examiner (PhD)
Examination
Technology Enhanced Learning: A one-day Conference for Teachers
Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
External Examiner (PhD)
Examination
British Council ELTons Award for Digital Innovation
Prize (including medals and awards)
British Council ELTons Judges' Commendation for Equality, Diversity and Inclusion
Prize (including medals and awards)
ERASMUS+ Good Practice Award (Digital Wellbeing project)
Prize (including medals and awards)
ERASMUS+ Good Practice Award (CIELL project)
Prize (including medals and awards)
- Centre for Social Justice and Wellbeing in Education
- Centre for Technology Enhanced Learning