I am an emeritus professor of property and construction management. Over the last ten years my work on the impact of the value of the built environment within society has led me to study the connection between the physical design of schools and pupils’ academic progress (freely available information, reports and papers are available on a separate dedicated site on Clever Classrooms). This focus led to me becoming an Honorary Research Fellow in the Department of Education at Oxford University from 2016-22.
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Prior to this my research interests extended over many issues: facilities management, innovation, industry improvement, practice management for professionals, briefing and academic workload management (for the last of these, freely available reports and resources are available on a separate archive site).
I worked and qualified as a chartered surveyor for nine years before moving into lecturing and research. Most of my academic career (27 years) was at Salford University. I was Founding Director of Salford’s Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment (BuHu), which grew to be the leading built environment group in successive UK research assessments (REFs). While at Salford I was Head of Department, Dean and then, for seven years, Pro-vice Chancellor for Research and Postgraduate Studies. I was the first Chartered Building Surveyor to gain a doctorate in 1989 and established the postgraduate programme of research at Salford, which has since grown to an annual population of c250 PGRs mainly at PhD level.
As well as holding many strategy / policy roles nationally and internationally, I am past President of the UN-established International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction. The CIB has members in 60 countries.
I now work as an independent researcher in the school design arena, for clients in the UK and abroad.
Career
Main positions
Emeritus Professor, University of Salford (2016-date)
Independent researcher (2016-date)
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Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Education, Oxford University (2016-2022)
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President of the UN established International Council for Research and Innovation in Building and Construction (CIB – Conseil International du Bâtiment) (2007-10) – first UK president in 30 years – 2000 members in 60 countries; Organising and hosting CIB World Congress in May 2010, with 650 papers received from ~50 countries and involvement of high level world organisations, such as: UNEP, WHO, OECD.
Pro-Vice Chancellor for Research & Graduate Studies (2001-08) – in this period the percentage of research active academic staff at Salford University rose from 38% to 60%, whilst quality also rose.
Founding Director (1993-1998) and leading member of Salford’s Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment. This was the strongest UK built environment group by research power up to the 2008 RAE and is still the second strongest, as judged by the 2014 REF.
Professor of Management in Property and Construction (1992-2016) - then youngest professor ever appointed at Salford University.
First Chartered Building Surveyor to gain a PhD (1989) and then Founding Director of Salford’s Programme of Post-graduate Research in Building Surveying (1990-1993) – this innovative, industry collaborative programme has since grown to include a full range of disciplines and modes with an annual population of c250 PGRs mainly at PhD.
Some international roles: International peer reviewer for the Italian Evaluation of Research Quality 2011-2014 (VQR 2011-2014) exercise, in the areas of construction, engineering and architecture; Member of the OECD Technical Advisory Group (TAG) for the LEEP Instruments (Learning Environments Evaluation Programme) (from 2015); Invited member of the Research Task Force of the American Institute of Architects’ Committee on Architecture for Education (from 2015). Honorary Life Member of the CIB (2013); Invited Expert to the OECD Group of National Experts on Effective Learning Environments (from 2013); Invited member of the Advisory Council of The Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture – ANFA, based in San Diego (from 2013); Invited assessor for the Australian Research Council (from 2013); Invited member of the Evaluation Panel for the Swedish Research Council Formas’ strategic call “Sustainable Building and Urban Planning” (from 2013); Chair of the Scientific Committee for the CIB World Building Congress, May 2013, Brisbane; Member of the Executive Committee (2008-15) of the High Level Group of the European Construction Platform (2005-date); Invited international Board Member for the International Construction Technology Information Institute (NPO) led by Shimizu in Japan (2004-date); Member of international RQ08 research review panel of the Faculty of Engineering, Lund University, Sweden (2008); Visiting Scholar at MIT, USA (2004); Visiting Scholar at QUT, Australia – including the delivery of management training to senior staff (2004 repeated in 2005); International advisor to Swedish Government on "Competitive Building" Programme (1998-2007); Co-ordinator of CIB W-65 (Organisation and Management of Construction), 150 members from 25 countries (1996-2005) with CIB Prize for Best Coordinator 2001-2004.
Some UK roles: External Examiner at University of Cambridge for MSt in Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment (2011-2013); Member of UK High Level Group of the Construction Technology Platform (2004-15); Member of the North West Science Council’s Strategy Review Group (2005-06); Deputy Chair of the North West University Association’s Research and Development Strategy (2004-08).
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Awards:
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Honorary Research Fellow, Department of Education, Oxford University (2016-2022)
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Finalist in the Research and Development category of the Green Gown Awards 2015 for the impact of the HEAD project / Clever Classrooms work.
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Best Paper 2013 Building and Environment, for "An holistic, multi-level analysis identifying the impact of classroom design on pupils' learning." Building and Environment. Vol 59, pp678-689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.09.016 - most downloaded paper and selected as Best Paper for this journal in 2013 (with two others out of 1300 submitted).
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Made the 12th Honorary Life Member of the Conseil International du Batiment (CIB) in its 60 year history (2013). The citation was "in appreciation of his devotion to CIB and what it stands for and in particular in recognition of his contributions as Commission Coordinator, Champion of the CIB priority theme Revaluing Construction, Board Member, Chair of the CIB Programme Committee, President, Main Organiser of the 2010 CIB World Building Congress and Immediate Past President”.
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Best CIB Co-ordinator for work undertaken in W-65 (2001-2004)
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Honorary life member of the Portuguese Academia Nacional de Belas Artes for contribution to postgraduate research.
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Highly Commended Award by Literati Club Awards for Excellence for Paper on 'Improving the business process of reactive maintenance projects', published in Facilities Vol 20, No 7, 2002. Joint paper with Kerun Nita Ali, Ming Sun, and Gary J Petley.
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Awarded best paper at the A.J.Etkin International Seminar on Strategic Planning Construction Companies Conference, Haifa, Israel, June 8-9, 1994. Paper entitled “Quality Management for the Construction Professional: What a Mess!”
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I have supervised over 20 successful postgraduate students to PhDs / MPhils. See Full CV for more details.
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Research and consultancy projects
Since 1991 have won research council contracts as PI or co-investigator valued at £5.9M. More recently have engaged in consultancy commissions. Current / recent projects / commissions include:
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2022-2022: Invited presentation and workshop, “The impact of classroom design on learning”, to visiting Swedish educational group, organized by Forum Bygga Skola, London, 13 October 2022.
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2022-date: Consultancy input (with Raphaella Mackenzie) on “Teacher Conversations” for VS America.
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2022-2022: Post-occupancy Evaluation of the impacts a year later at Trumpington Park Primary School, for Gratnells Ltd.
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2021-2022: Consultancy input as part of the PPMI-led team working on “A study on smart, effective, and inclusive investment in education infrastructure”, assessing the 27 countries of the EU for the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture.
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2020-2021: Independent, longitudinal observation and assessment of the Planning Learning Spaces intervention at Trumpington Park Primary School, instigated by Gratnells Ltd.
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2020-2020: Workshop for Forum Bygga Skola on “The impact of classroom design on learning”, for visiting Swedish educational group, London, 23 January 2020.
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2019-2019: Retained by two UK universities to assess the academic outputs of staff in the area of the built environment in preparation for the UK Government's upcoming Research Excellence Framework exercise.
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2018-2019: Series of five articles (with Raphaella Mackenzie) for Gratnells Ltd, linking the HEAD project results to day-to-day teaching practice in the classroom.
2017-2018: Consultancy study (with Alberto Treves) for the World Bank (Moscow and Washington) to deliver a state of the art World Bank report of the evidence of school building impacts on learning. This study was based on the extant literature.
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2017-20: Retained strategic educational design advisor as a member of Farrans Construction’s team delivering on their ESFA framework school building projects.
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2017-2019: Consultancy inputs promoting good school design for Gratnells
2017:2017: Consultancy study (with Dr Lucinda Barrett) providing a Critical review of Project Minerva design plans for the significant development of the The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School estate. This study included an assessment of existing provision and of the development plan.
2017-2017: Consultancy study (with Dr Lucinda Barrett) of the impact of physical school design on learning and transitions amongst Reception and KS1 primary school children, for the Girls’ Day School Trust in the UK. This study involved case study fieldwork in five GDST schools.
2016-2017: Consultancy study (with Dr Lucinda Barrett) of the potential impact of physical conditions of a sample of Romanian schools on learning outcomes, for the World Bank, working for the National Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development in Romanian. This study involved a combination of desk studies and case study fieldwork in five Romanian schools.
2016-2016: Principal Investigator for HEAD for Norway, a study to translate the HEAD schools’ findings to the Norwegian context for the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Training. This study involved three case studies of schools in Norway.
2015-16: Contributed to “The Value and Impact of Architecture: Schools” Research Report, led by the Performance Consultancy.
2013-2014: Principal Investigator for £208,598 TSB Knowledge Transfer Partnership with J Sainsburys. This project was to investigate the holistic impact of retail spaces on customers’ buying behaviour.
2012-2015: Principal Investigator for £433,873 EPSRC project entitled Holistic Evidence and Design: sensory impacts, practical outcomes (HEAD). This project is to investigate the impact of the built environment on pupils’ learning rates in schools taking a multi-sensory perspective within a neuroscience coordinating vision.
2011-2012: Principal Investigator for £30,000 project funded by Nightingale Associates, entitled Understanding the sensory impacts of the built environment: an improved design process, in collaboration with Blackpool Council Schools Department.
2010-2012: Principal Investigator for £65,899 project, funded by HEFCE, entitled Promoting Positive Gender Outcomes in HE Through Active Workload Management.
2007-2011: Leading initiation and first phase of a £41M, eight year (initially) consortium around a Framework for Innovation and Research in MediaCityUK. The core consortium involves: BBC, Cambridge University, Goldsmiths University, Lancaster University, MIT, North West Vision and Media and Salford University.
2010-2012: EPSRC and AHRC have provided funding of £2.7M for three years commencing in January 2010.
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2010-2012: The North West Development Agency have provided funding of £630k to establish the project team that will manage and implement the project over the first 3 years. In addition developed notion for a NWDA funded (£3-4M was earmarked before NWDA dismantled) for creating and sustaining a Think, Play, Do Zone as a physical focus for FIRM in MediaCityUK.
2007-2015: Principal Investigator on SCRI collaborative project with Manchester City Council entitled Optimal Learning Spaces. This project is drawing on the Senses, Brain and Spaces work to support sensory sensitive design so that school design can be optimised with learning in mind.
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2007-2009, Phase 1: funded within SCRI, with a £10,000 contribution from MCC, the outputs of this phase have centred on an extensive synthesis of the literature linked to post occupancy evaluations, resulting in SCRI Report 2 setting out the “design implications” of taking this perspective.
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2010-2015, Phase 2: Collaborative action research with MCC centred on live schools project (Old Moat School) to track impact of interventions.
2007-2011: Principal Investigator on £92,000 HEFCE funded project The Management of Academic Workloads (MAW): Creating a Community of Good Practice. This project involves supporting a network of twelve UK universities, jointly developing good practice and disseminating it to the HE sector – see www.research.salford.ac.uk/maw
- 2007-2009, Phase 1 culminated in a major launch of a report on “Managing Academic Workloads: Improving Practice in the Sector” in September 2009.
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2009-2011, Phase 2 involves an expansion of the network and continuation of its work as partners drive further into full implementation
2007-2012: Chairman and co-investigator of Salford Centre for Research and Innovation (SCRI) with Professor Ghassan Aouad, Professor Rachel Cooper, Professor Grahame Cooper, Dr. Mike Kagliogou, Peter McDermott, Professor James Powell, Professor Yacine Rezgui, Dr. Martin Sexton, Dr. Patricia Sterry, Joseph Tah, Lauri Koskela, Vian Ahmed on £4,948,218 EPSRC funded Salford IMRC Renewal (2007-11)
2004-2007: Co-investigator with Professor Alan Short of Cambridge University for an Arts Council for England / CABE project to create new Guidance for clients for capital arts projects (2007-08), building on the £121,967 AHRC funded project Designing Dynamic Environments for Performing Arts.
Presentations
Invited presentations made in a range of countries over the last few years are listed here (see CV for a full listing)
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Invited virtual presentation to Forum Bygga Skola Advisory Group, “Idealized model for capital educational investment”, Sweden, 21 March 2023.
Invited virtual presentation to Forum Bygga Skola CPD session, “Building a School for Humans", Sweden, 21 March 2023.
Invited virtual contribution to expert Round Table session, “Schools of the Future”, hosted by the World Bank in Vienna and involving the EIB and the EC, 16 March, 2023.
Invited virtual presentation and discussion, “Evidence on the link between learning and infrastructure” to World Bank staff covering school reconstruction in the Philippines, 7 February 2023.
Invited presentation (and workshop), “The impact of classroom design on learning”, to visiting Swedish educational group, organized by Forum Bygga Skola, London, 13 October 2022.
Invited opening keynote speech, “The evidence for the impact of school infrastructure and classroom environment on learning”, delivered virtually to The Second Foundation Barco Forum on Education, Education Infrastructure, Universidad de los Andes, Bogota, Columbia, 4 October 2022.
Invited virtual presentation and discussion, “Evidence on the link between learning and infrastructure” to local World Bank staff covering school reconstruction in Tonga, 30 May 2022.
Invited virtual presentation and discussion, “Evidence on the link between learning and infrastructure” to local World Bank staff covering school reconstruction in Indonesia, 20 April 2022.
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Invited keynote speech, “If you want to know how something works – change it! What has Covid shown us about the design of learning environments?”, delivered virtually to the ICEIT Conference, Chengdu, 19 January 2021.
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Invited keynote speech, “The technology of human-centric learning spaces: blind spot or opportunity”, ICEIT Conference, Oxford, 12 February 2020.
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Invited presentation (and workshop), “The impact of classroom design on learning”, to visiting Swedish educational group, organized by Forum Bygga Skola, London, 23 January 2020.
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Invited presentation, "Evidence-based actions to enhance learning", at Didacta International Conference on Learning Environments, Fortezza da Basso, Florence, Italy, 10 October 2019.
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Invited keynote presentation, "Evidence for the holistic impact of educational spaces on learning", at NUI Galway, Lifecourse Institute, Ireland, 7 October 2019.
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Invited presentation, “Human-centric Design for Learning”, at HCL (lighting) event, Cabinet War Offices, London, 24 June 2019.
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Invited keynote speech and workshops for the Ministry of Education at GESS Education Fair, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: "Designing the empathetic classroom - so children can flourish", 28 February; "practical actions to achieve the empathetic classroom", 26-28 February 2019, Dubai World Trade Centre.
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Invited keynote speech and workshop (with Dr L Barrett), "The impact of the physical environment on learning", 14 February 2019; "Practical steps towards 'Clever Classrooms'", 15 February 2018, at Playing-Learning-Working Conference, Free University of Bolzano, Brixen / Bressanone, Italy, 14-15 February 2019.
Invited presentation, "Optimal spaces for those living with dementia", at Environment and Design for Dementia Conference, University of Salford, 29 November 2018.
Invited keynote speech, "The impact of classroom design on pupils' learning", at International Conference on Role of Innovative Learning Environment in Enabling Child's Holistic Development, organised by the World Bank / UNICEF and the Ministry of Preschool Education, Tashkent, Uzbekistan, 19 November 2018.
Invited organiser and moderator of workshop, "School and Working Environment, as part of Healthy Buildings Day, Velux, Brussels, 26 September 2018.
Invited presentations and workshop, "Implications of 'Clever Classrooms" for designing effective schools", Stockholm, 12 September 2018; "How to create optimal spaces for learning", Skovde, 13 September 2018, at Forum Bygga Skola events, Sweden, 12-13 September, 2018.
Invited presentation, "Tensions and resolutions around the physical learning environment", at Department of Education, University of Oxford, 26 April 2018.
Invited presentations at the GESS Education Fair, Dubai, United Arab Emirates: "Top ten ways to innovate the primary school classroom"; "Maximising the impact of the educational infrastructure on learning" and "How to make the most of your classroom and how to get students involved in active learning", 28 February 2018, Dubai World Trade Centre.
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Invited presentation, “Evidence-based school design for results”, at Education Buildings Scotland Conference, 22 November 2017, Edinburgh.
Invited keynote speech, “Putting Indoor Climate to the Test: More Holistic School Renovation?”, at Indoor Climate Conference, Taastrup, Denmark, 24 October 2017.
Invited keynote speech, “Impact of school design on pupils’ learning”, at Designing school and learning spaces of the future conference, Copenhagen, 4 October 2017.
Invited interlocutor, at Transitions Europe seminar by Melbourne University, Regent’s University, London, 7 September 2017.
Invited seminar presentation, “The impact of physical conditions of learning spaces on students’ outcomes” for the Education Global Practice Division of the World Bank, Washington, 10 August 2017.
Invited presentation, “Impacts of classroom design on learning”, at Creative Education: Ambitions for the Next Generation of Manchester Schools, breakfast seminar, Albert Square, part of Manchester International Festival, 13 July 2017.
Invited presentation, “20:20 vision for learning”, at BESA (British Educational Supplies Association) Summer Insights Day, London, 5 July 2017.
Keynote speech, “Grounded theory: links to conclusions and other approaches”, to Postgraduate research workshop – qualitative research methodologies: society and the built environment, The Bartlett, UCL, London, 9 May 2017.
Eight keynote presentations, “Clever Classroom: Sensory Impacts Matter”, for Velux breakfast seminars – Education: Design a Brighter Future, at: Manchester 5 April 2017; Birmingham, 7 July 2017; Leeds, 12 July 2017; Glasgow, 30 August 2017; Bristol, 13 September 2017; Dublin, 26 September 2017; Belfast, 27 September 2017; London, 18 October 2017.
Invited presentation, “Is Daylight enough? Taking a holistic human perspective”, at 7th Velux Daylight Symposium – Healthy Climate-friendly architecture: from knowledge to practice, Berlin, 3 May 2017.
Invited keynote speech, “How environments affect learning”, Early Years and Foundation Stage Conference, Girls’ Day School Trust, London, 17 March 2017.
Invited keynote speech, “Clever Classrooms: Innovative spaces?”, at Innovative Educational Environments Seminar, Institute of Education, University of Lisbon, Lisbon,18 February 2017.
Invited keynote speech, “HEAD in Norway”, at Utdanningsdirektoratets nasjonale konferanse om barnehage- og skoleanlegg [National Schools Conference], Sandnes, Norway, 28 September, 2016.
Radio Interview, “Every Classroom Matters”. This post is available at http://www.coolcatteacher.com/3-ways-classroom-design-impacts-student-learning/, BAM Radio Network, US, 23 August 2016.
Invited presentation, “Primary schools must be designed to enhance learning”, at seminar on school design, Department of Education, Oxford University, 22 June 2016.
Invited keynote speech, “First Steps Towards Achieving Built Environments for Life”, at World Building Congress, CIB, Tampere, 2 June 2016.
Invited workshop “HEAD for Norway – Stakeholder Workshop”, at Ministry for Education and Training, Oslo, 27 April 2016.
Invited Speech “Clever classrooms: What aspects of infrastructure are important for learning outcomes?”, at World Bank / OECD seminar – Learning Environment as the Third Teacher, Almaty, Kazakhstan, 10 March 2016.
Invited keynote speech and interactive workshop “Clever Classrooms for Enhanced Education”, at Building Blocks for Boys Conference of the International Boys’ Schools Coalition, Haberdashers’ Aske’s Boys’ School, 2 March 2016.
Invited Webinair “Impact of Classroom Design on pupils’ performance” to European Schoolnet, 15 February 2016.
Invited presentation “Impact of Classroom Design on pupils’ performance” to the All Party Parliamentary Group for Education, Portcullis House, Westminster, 9 February 2016.
Invited public seminar “Clever Classrooms: Evidence for the impacts of classroom design on learning”, at Department of Education, University of Oxford, 25 January 2016.
Invited internal seminar “Strong Evidence of Impact of Classroom Design on Pupils’ Performance”, for representatives of the Scottish Government’s Learning Directorate and the Scottish Futures Trust, Edinburgh, 26 November 2015.
Invited presentation “Strong Evidence of Impact of Classroom Design on Pupils’ Performance”, US Green Building Council Research Summit: Childhood Health and School Buildings, Dunbar Senior High School, Washington DC, 17 November 2015.
Invited presentation / event “Classroom Design Impacts on Pupils’ Performance”, Essex Record Office, Chelmsford, 12 November 2015.
Invited keynote speech “Good Classrooms can Boost Pupils’ Performance”, EBDOG (Education Building Development Officers Group) Annual Conference, Weston Super Mare, 6 November 2015.
Invited contribution of evidence to the Design Commission Inquiry examining the relationship between the Built Environment and Behaviour, House of Lords, 29 October 2015.
Invited presentation “Clever Classrooms”, Group of National Experts on Effective Learning Environments, OECD, Paris, 15 October 2015.
Invited presentation and workshop, “Clever Classrooms”, for Lincolnshire group of schools, 6 October 2015.
Invited webcast “Well-designed Classrooms for Pupils’ Learning Progress”, for the US Green Building Council, 2 October 2015.
Invited presentation “Boosting Learning Progress in Primary School Pupils Through Well-designed Classrooms”, The Future of Education 2015: Raising Standards, Old Trafford Cricket Ground, 24 June 2015.
Invited presentation and workshop “Clever Classrooms” Norwegian Directorate for Education and Training, Oslo, 15 June 2015.
Invited presentation “The Impact of the Built Environment on Educational Attainment” 21st Century Schools Conference, Constructing Excellence, Cardiff, 12 May 2015.
Invited internal seminar “Clever Classrooms”, Department for Education, Sanctuary Building, London, 28 April 2015.
Invited podcast interview “Peter Barrett on Classroom Design and Academic Achievement” Research Files Episode 9, Australian Council for Educational Research, 28 April 2015, http://www.teachermagazine.com.au/article/research-files-episode-9-peter-barrett-on-classroom-design.
Invited presentation and workshop “Clever Classrooms”, Enquire Trust Leadership Residential, Scunthorpe, 23 April 2015.
Invited television programme contribution “Good classrooms can boost kids’ school performance”, Newsround, BBC Childrens’ Television report, 6 April 2015 http://www.bbc.co.uk/newsround/32190420.
Invited presentation “Clever Classrooms”, Hampshire Primary Heads Conference, Southampton, 26 March 2015.
Invited presentation “Stimulating Environments: Beyond Comfort”, in the Designing to Promote Wellbeing In and Around Buildings, Ecobuild, Excel, London, 3 March 2015.
Radio interviews on launch of HEAD results “Classroom design accounts for 16% variation in learning progress”: UCB, Pirate FM, Jack FM Oxfordshire, BBC Hereford and Worcester, BBC Radio Lancashire, Kennet FM, Signal 2, Waves Radio, Takeover Radio and Bolton FM.
Invited presentation “Management of Academic Workloads”, Political Studies Association, Heads of Department Conference, Institute for Government, London, 5 December 2014.
Invited presentation and Panel Discussion “Neuroscience and Design for Learning Environments”, Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture Conference, Salk Institute, La Jolla, CA, 20 September, 2014.
Invited presentation “Overview and key data of an ageing Europe”, at the Construction and Built Environment: Future Horizons, ECTP conference, Brussels, 18 June 2014.
Invited talk “Classroom Space Environment + Impacts on Pupils’ Performance”, to the All Party Parliamentary Group on Education, Portcullis House, Westminster, 11 February 2014. See link at: http://www.educationappg.org.uk/2014/02/17/meeting-on-the-impact-of-the-classroom-environment-on-educational-attainment/
Invited speech (with Caroline Paradise) “Classroom Matters”, at the Education Estates Conference, Manchester, 27 November 2013.
Invited speech (with Adrian Swain) “Creating an Environment for Optimum Learning”, at the Blackpool Schools’ Partnership Annual Conference, Winter Gardens, Blackpool, 4 November 2013.
Invited keynote speech “School Spaces + Variations in Pupils' Performance”, at the Annual National Conference on School Planning of the Norwegian Directorate of Education – Space for Variation, Oslo, 24 September 2013.
Invited presentation “Interdisciplinary Design for the Built Environment: What, How, but also … Why?”, MSt in Integrated Design for the Built Environment, Cambridge University, 18 July 2013.
Invited Interview Contributions to BBC Radio 4 Programme “The New North” examining the impact of new arts buildings in the North of England – broadcast in two parts 13.30-14.00, 26 May and 2 June 2013 (main contribution in second programme).
Presentation in W98 parallel session on “Evidence-based Performance Enhancement for the Built Environment”, at the World Building Congress at QUT, Brisbane, 8 May 2013.
Invited member of plenary discussion panel on "Impact of Research and Development on Construction", at the World Building Congress 7 May 2013 at QUT in Australia. The other panel members were Australia's Chief Scientist, the Chief Scientist for Western Australia and the Director General of CSTB in France.
Invited Webinair presentation "Sensory Design in UK Primary Schools - Concepts Used / Lessons Learnt" in Working, Healing and Learning Environments. CIB Technology Webinairs, CIB, 22 April 2013. https://inive.webex.com/inive/lsr.php?AT=pb&SP=EC&rID=55069617&rKey=8695DD372E092188.
Keynote Speech “Managing Academic Workloads”, UCEA Conference, Ambassadors Hotel, London, 20 March 2013.
Publications
Publications
Since 1987 have published over 185 refereed publications, which in the last few years include (see CV for full listing):
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For links to freely accessible publications related to classroom design go to cleverclassroomsdesign.co.uk
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P.Barrett (2022) Interview published in El Tiempo (national newspaper in Columbia) “Infraestructura y aprendizaje, una estrecha relacion” (Infrastructure and learning, a close relationship), 6 pages, reporter Mateo Chacon Orduz, 3 October 2022.
P.Barrett (with M.Hudson) (2022) “Planning Learning Spaces: Pedagogically-driven Shifts in Classroom Layouts”, in Learning by Design, Fall 2022, pp30-33.
P.Barrett (2022) “Guest Editorial” of Dialogues: The Compendium – Journals 2017-2021, AIA-CAE, Fall 2022, pp1-2.
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P.Barrett (2022) A Journey into Space, Learning Spaces, Cambridge. An independent longitudinal assessment of an intervention in a primary school, involving pedagogically-led changes to spaces and layout.
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P.Barrett (2022) A study on smart, effective, and inclusive investment in education infrastructure, European Union, Luxemburg (executive summary and full report). Project assessed the 27 countries of the EU for the European Commission, Directorate-General for Education, Youth, Sport and Culture. My input, as part of the lead Lithuanian PPMI team, focused mainly on: methodology, cross case analyses and the development of a best practice country-level model.
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P.Barrett (2020) “Evidence for the impact of classroom design on learning: Implications for practice”, Australian Educational Leader, 42(1), ACEL, pp22-25.
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P.Barrett, A.Treves, T.Shmis, D.Ambasz, and M.Ustinova (2019) The Impact of School Infrastructure on Learning: A Synthesis of the Evidence, The World Bank Group, Washington.
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P. Barrett and L.Barrett (2019) "Primary schools must be Designed to enhance learning" in Designing Buildings for the Future of Schooling: Contemporary Visions for Education, edited by H.M. Tse et al, Routledge, Abingdon, Chapter 6, pp113-130.
P.Barrett and M.Sharma (2018) Optimal spaces for those living with dementia: principles and evidence, Building Research & Information, Vol 47, No 6, pp734-46.
P.Barrett (2018) Top Ten Ways to Innovate the Primary School Classroom, published with Gratnells, Harlow. Translated into Arabic 2019.
P.Barrett (2018) Why Place Values are all important, TES (Times Educational Supplement), London, 27 July 2018, pp54-55.
P.Barrett (2018) Well designed classrooms can boost learning, case study on EPSRC Lens on Research and Innovation wepage: https://epsrc.ukri.org/newsevents/casestudies/well-designed-classrooms-can-boost-learning/
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P. Barrett (2018) “Lessons from schools for productive office environments: the SIN model” in Creating the Productive Workplace: Places to Work Creatively, edited by Derek Clements-Croome, Routledge, Abingdon, Third Edition, Chapter 7, pp111-24.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2017) Critical review of Project Minerva design, confidential report for The Haberdashers' Aske's Boys' School, Nutbox Consultancy, Buxton.
P. Barrett (2017) “Classroom Design Impacts on Learning: Evidence form the HEAD project”, in Dialogues, Issue 01 – Fall 2017, AIA-CAE, Washington, pp8-9.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2017) The impact of physical school design on learning and transitions amongst Reception and KS1 primary school children, confidential report for the Girls’ Day School Trust, Nutbox Consultancy, Buxton.
P. Barrett (2017) “Primary considerations for learners as individuals” Learning Spaces: making more effective learning spaces, Vol 3.4, Imaginative Minds Ltd, Birmingham, pp12-17.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2017) The potential impact of physical conditions of a sample of Romanian schools on learning outcomes, confidential report for the World Bank, working for the National Centre for Technical and Vocational Education and Training Development in Romanian, Nutbox Consultancy, Buxton.
Y. Zhang, P. Barrett, F. Davies and L. Barrett, (2017) “A field survey on the indoor environmental quality of the UK primary school classroom”, British Journal of Nursing, Vol 11, No. 10, pp492-96.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2016) “HEAD for Norway Knowledge Transfer Project for School Design for Learning”, Report for the Norwegian Ministry of Education and Training, Nutbox Consultancy, pdf freely available on http://www.skoleanlegg.utdanningsdirektoratet.no/artikkel/123/24/Kunnskapsoverforing-for-utforming-av-klasserom
W. Setiawan and P. Barrett, (2016) “The Built Environment Element of Economic Development in Post Conflict Response in Indonesia” in Procedia – Social and Behavioural Sciences, 234 (2016) pp478-87. doi:10.1016/j.sbspro.2016.10.266
P.S.Barrett, F.Davies, Y.Zhang and L.C.Barrett (2016) “The Holistic Impact of Classroom Spaces on Learning in Specific Subjects”, Environment and Behavior, pp1-27. DOI: 10.1177/0013916516648735.
Peter Barrett (2016) “Strong Evidence Found of the Impact of School Design on Learning” blog on the American Institute of Architects, Committee on Architecture for Education, AIAKnowledgeNet, http://network.aia.org/committeeonarchitectureforeducation/blogs/dina-sorensen/2016/02/18/strong-evidence-found-of-the-impact-of-school-design-on-learning, February 2016.
P. Barrett, L. Barrett and Y. Zhang (2015), Teachers’ Views of their Primary School Classrooms, Intelligent Buildings International, http://dx.doi.org/10.1080/17508975.2015.1087835.
Peter Barrett (2015) “New study concludes with strong evidence of the impact of school design on learning” US Green Building Council Centre for Green Schools, 18 May 2015, http://www.usgbc.org/articles/new-study-concludes-strong-evidence-impact-school-design-learning.
Peter Barrett (2015) “The impact of classroom design on pupils’ learning: Final results of a holistic, multi-level analysis” ANFA (Academy of Neuroscience for Architecture) article, 11 March 2015 http://www.anfarch.org/news/the-impact-of-classroom-design-on-pupils-learning-final-results-of-a-holistic-multi-level-analysis/
P. Barrett, F. Davies, Y. Zhang and L. Barrett (2015), The impact of classroom design on pupils' learning: Final results of a holistic, multi-level analysis. Building and Environment, Vol 89 (2015) pp118-133. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2015.02.013.
P. Barrett, Y. Zhang, F. Davies and L. Barrett (2015), Clever Classrooms: Summary Report of the HEAD Project, University of Salford, Salford. http://ow.ly/Jz2vV
A. Williams and P. Barrett (2014) “Creating Sensory-sensitive Spaces” chapter in BITE: Recipes or Remarkable Research, edited by A. Williams, D. Jones and J. Robertson, Sense Publishers, Rotterdam, pp76-85.
P. Barrett and E. Finch (2014) Facilities Management: The Dynamics of Excellence, Third Edition, Wiley-Blackwell, Chichester, 320 pp. ISBN 978-0-4706-7397-3.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2013), Promoting Positive Gender Outcomes in Higher Education through Active Workload Management, University of Salford, Salford, 11 September 2013.
P. Barrett, L. Barrett, and F. Davies (2013), Achieving a step change in the optimal sensory design of buildings for users at all life-stages. Building and Environment, 2013. 67(0): p. 97-104. http://authors.elsevier.com/sd/article/S036013231300156X
Peter Barrett (2013), Article in Guardian Education Supplement, “Changes in Classroom Environment Can Improve Learning”, 16 April 2013, p4.
P.S.Barrett, Y. Zhang, J. Moffat and K.Kobbacy (2013). "An holistic, multi-level analysis identifying the impact of classroom design on pupils' learning." Building and Environment. Vol 59, pp678-689. http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.buildenv.2012.09.016 - most downloaded paper and selected as Best Paper for this journal in 2013 (with two others out of 1300 submitted).
P Barrett & Y Zhang (2012), Teachers’ views on the designs of their primary schools, Intelligent Buildings International, 4:2, pp89-110, DOI:10.1080/17508975.2012.672305
Y Zhang and P Barrett (2012), Factors influencing occupants’ blind-control behaviour in a naturally ventilated office building, Building and Environment, 54, pp137-147.
Y Zhang and P Barrett (2012), Factors influencing the occupants’ window opening behaviour in a naturally ventilated office building, Building and Environment, 50, pp 125-134.
A. Short, P. Barrett and A. Fair (2011). Geometry and Atmosphere: Theatre Buildings from Vision to Reality, Ashgate Publishing Company, Farnham.
P Barrett and Z Hamid (2011) Malaysian Revaluing Construction Workshop Report, Malaysian CIDB / CREAM, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
P.S. Barrett, Y. Zhang and L.C. Barrett (2011). "A Child’s Eye View of Primary School Built Environments.", Intelligent Buildings International 3:2, pp107-123.
L. Barrett and P. Barrett (2011) ‘Women and Academic Workloads: Career Slow Lane or Cul - de –Sac’, Higher Education, February 2011: Volume 61, no 2, pp141-155. DOI: 10.1007/s10734-010-9329-3.
P. Barrett and L. Barrett (2010). "The Potential of Positive Places: Senses, Brain and Spaces." Intelligent Buildings International 2: 218-228. DOI:103763/inbi2010.0042
P. Barrett (2010). “Creating Sensory-Sensitive Creative Spaces”, in Proceedings of Colour, Light and Architecture, edited by Pietro Zennaro, Universita Iuav di Venezia, Knemesi, Verona, pp187-92.
Y Zhang and P Barrett (2010) “Findings from a Post-occupancy Evaluation in the UK Primary Schools Sector” in Facilities: Special Issue on Environment Behaviour in Facilities Management, Vol 28, No 13/14, pp641-56.
L. Barrett and P. Barrett (2010) “Cycles of Innovation in Managing Academic Workloads” in Higher Education Quarterly, April 2010, Volume 64, no 2, pp183-199. DOI: 10.1111/j.1468-2273.
P Barrett and M Sutrisna (2009) “Methodological strategies to gain insights into informality and emergence in construction project case studies” in Construction Management and Economics, Special Issue on Informality and Emergence in Construction, guest-edited by Paul Chan and Christine Räisänen, 27 (10), pp935-948.
Peter Barrett and Yufan Zhang, (2009), Optimal Learning Spaces: Design Implications for Primary Schools, SCRI Report No2, SCRI, Salford.
A Short, P Barrett, A Fair and S Macmillan, (2009) Building Excellence in the Arts: A Guide for Clients, CABE, London
Peter Barrett and Lucinda Barrett, (2009), Managing Academic Workloads: Improving Practice in the Sector, LFHE, London.
Peter Barrett, Martin Sexton and Angela Lee, (2008), Innovation in Small Construction Firms, Taylor and Francis, London, ISBN 9780415246415.