John Airey Professor

I am Professor of University Science Education at the Department of Teaching and Learning.

I am also a Reader (docent) in Physics Education Research at the Department of Physics and Astronomy, Uppsala University, Sweden. 

My main research interests focus on the relationship between disciplinary knowledge and its representation. Here I am particularly interested in the use of language and other semiotic resources in the teaching and learning of university physics.

Over the years I have had a number of major projects funded by the Swedish Research Council. At present, I lead a four-year research project that examines how undergraduate students come to understand science phenomena that they cannot see. The project focuses on the representations used in two such areas in physics and chemistry--electromagnetic fields and chemical bonding.

I have supervised several PhD students to completion over the years and I am currently the main supervisor for a paired PhD student in University Astronomy Education in Stockholm and another in University Physics Education Research in Uppsala.

My teaching consists of courses for university science lecturers and PhD supervisors.