Paul Blacklock

I am a Senior Lecturer in Professional Development and International Education and have worked in education for over 20 years in a range of teaching, training and leadership roles. I draw on my breadth of experience in my teaching and in the research I conduct

My recent work in higher education includes contributing to the delivery of our PGCEs for teachers and trainee teachers working in international schools around the world. I teach students on campus and students studying through distance education. For this, I draw on my research into student voice and distance education to continually develop and refine programme and module design in order to enhance student experience. I have presented this work at national and international conferences, sharing insights into how student perspectives can shape effective distance education practice.

Before joining the University, I worked at the University of Northumbria on the Police Constable Degree Apprenticeship. In this role, I collaborated closely with police colleagues to strengthen the partnership between academic study and professional practice.

Earlier in my career, I served as an Education and Training Services Officer after commissioning from the Royal Military Academy Sandhurst. I taught leadership, coaching, mentoring, and critical thinking, managed a large regional education centre group, and mentored newly commissioned officers completing their PGCE. During this time, I completed an MEd focused on coaching in the workplace

The driving force in my career is service and encouraging students' personal development. I'm here to support and challenge the students I work with.