Biography
Dr Colin McGill was appointed as a lecturer in the Teacher Education subject group in the School of Applied Sciences in April 2019.
Dr McGill graduated from the University of Strathclyde in 1997 with a BSc (Hons) in Forensic & Analytical Chemistry. After a year working as an analytical scientist, he returned to the University of Strathclyde to complete a PhD in on-line analysis using spectroscopic techniques. In 2001 he began postdoctoral research before moving into industry to develop on-line analytical techniques. In 2005, he began studies towards gaining his PGDE in Chemistry with Science at the University of Strathclyde and embarked on a career in teaching; completing his probation year at Claremont High School in South Lanarkshire, before moving to St Margaret's Academy in West Lothian. In 2012, he was appointed Principal Teacher of Curriculum of the Sciences faculty St Kentigern's Academy, West Lothian. In 2014, he completed a part-time MSc in Educational Leadership from the University of Stirling, and in 2015 was seconded to Education Scotland to work as a Development Officer for the Sciences.
Dr McGill is a member of the Association for Science Education and the Royal Society of Chemistry, and has been awarded Chartered Chemist status by the RSC. He sits on the committee of the ASE's Scottish Regional Committee, the RSC's Education Division Scottish Region Committee, and the RSC's Chemistry Education Research Group committee. He is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Dr McGill is Programme Leader for the PGDE Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics programmes. He is responsible for the design and delivery of learning experiences that are engaging, challenging and informed by pedagogical scholarship and professional practice; contributing and collaborating with academic colleagues on course development, curriculum changes, group meetings, internal committees and the development of teaching; module leadership of Learning & Teaching 1 module for PGDE Maths, English, Biology, Chemistry and Physics students; development and support of PGDE Chemistry students.
His broader interests include the development of subject-specific career long professional learning activities for chemistry teachers, and supporting chemistry teachers in Scotland through the development of resources. He has designed non-credit bearing short courses entitled "Professional Learning for Chemistry Teachers 1" and “Professional Learning for Chemistry Teachers 2” and also collaborates with the Royal Society of Chemistry and educators to present CPD to chemistry teachers in Scotland. He has worked with Education Scotland and the BBC to develop videos to support teaching & learning in secondary schools.