Dedicated space for research into physics teaching and learning

Edinburgh Physics Education Research Group (EdPER) laboratory space officially opens.

The Edinburgh Physics Education Research Group (EdPER) laboratory space has officially opened, providing researchers with a dedicated space to undertake evidence-based research into aspects of physics teaching and learning.

The EdPER group was the first research centre of its kind dedicated to physics teaching and learning in the UK, having been established in 2010.

The aim of the group is to develop and evaluate research-based instructional strategies and understand the student learning experience. Researchers do this by gathering and analysing both quantitative and qualitative data, with a view to improving student learning in physics and related cognate areas.

The laboratory space was officially opened by Prof Paula Heron who conducts research on the development of conceptual understanding in topics including mechanics, electricity, magnetism, and thermal physics at the University of Washington.

Prof Ross Galloway, Head of the EdPER group said:

We are extremely pleased to open this dedicated laboratory space for undertaking studies in physics education. This resource will enable us to perform eye-tracking studies and conduct focus groups, supporting a range of our research activities. We are grateful to the Institute for Condensed Matter and Complex Systems and the School of Physics and Astronomy for supporting this facility, and welcome researchers to get in touch about using this space and learning more about the work of the group.