University of Sunderland education expert appointed Chair of TPEA

Published on 13, November, 2025

A University of Sunderland academic has been made Chair of a national subject association that aims to inform policy and practice in education technology.

Dr Elizabeth Hidson has recently taken up the role at the Technology, Pedagogy and Education Association (TPEA), which will run alongside her position as Senior Lecturer in Professional Development and International Education and Programme Leader: MA in International Education at the University.

The TPEA is a member of the Council for Subject Associations  and has a 40-year history in the educational technology and computing field in the UK. TPEA members are teachers, teacher educators, academics, researchers and all those with an interest in the way that technology is used in education.

This can be the teaching of computing, computer science, IT, Information and Communication Technologies (ICT), digital skills, as well as the training of teachers and the use of educational and digital technologies in teaching and learning. 

Dr Hidson has been involved with the TPEA since November 2015, initially as a member then formally elected to the executive committee where she has served as Vice Chair for the last three years. She is also a Technology, Pedagogy and Education (TPE) journal editorial board member.

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On being promoted to Chair, Dr Hidson said: “I am so proud and grateful to have ‘found my tribe’ within this organisation. Thanks to the opportunities afforded to me, I have worked with a wealth of talented academics to research, write and publish in my specialist areas. I look forward during my three-year tenure to continuing the excellent work of TPEA and expanding our membership.

“Stepping up as Chair has also aligned with the publication of the government’s Curriculum and Assessment Review Final Report and one of my first actions as Chair is to coordinate our association’s response as we think carefully about the report’s recommendations in relation to Computing and Computer Science.”

Dr Ben Middleton, Pro Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Education, Society and Creative Industries at the University of Sunderland, said: “Dr Hidson’s appointment as Chair of TPEA reflects her outstanding contribution to the field of educational technology. Her leadership will play a key role in shaping national dialogue around digital learning and computing, and we’re proud to see her representing the University in this influential position.”

Vicki Stokes, Head of the School of Education at the University, added: “I know Dr Hidson has been part of the TPEA for a number of years and her new role will allow her greater impact in this area of education for which she is so passionate. As Dr Hidson stated, the timing of the Curriculum and Assessment review will provide a starting point for her new work within the TPEA.”