Dr Helen Hooper

Assistant Professor

Department: Applied Sciences

Dr Helen Hooper Staffprofile Northumbriauniversity255 Dr Helen Hooper is Head of the Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences Department in the School of Life Sciences. She studied at the University of Durham, where she completed a BSc (Hons) in Molecular Biology & Biochemistry and PhD in Plant Molecular Biology ‘The regulation of fatty acid synthetase genes in Brassica napus’.

In her capacity as Head of Department Helen is responsible for the strategic direction of the department including oversight of programmes of study and academic staff. She is also a University Teaching and Learning Fellow with particular interests in VLE aided formative assessment and feedback and academic integrity & misconduct.

Helen is a University etutor and uses the University elp extensively in her taught modules which include Research Methods, Subject Exploration, Animal Biotechnology and Bioethics.

Helen is currently working on a HESTEM funded project with the National and North East Science Learning Centres to develop professional awards for UK science technicians working in education. This builds on previous experience from a LEONARDO funded international project which developed a biotechnology training product for European science technicians based in industry.

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Key Publications

Please visit the Pure Research Information Portal for further information
Recruitment materials could help perpetuate the gender disparity and gender pay gap in secondary headship, Hooper, H. 4 Apr 2025, In: School Leadership and Management
A critical analysis of the inclusivity of primary headteacher job advertisements, Hooper, H., Malika, A., Angelopoulos, A. 10 Jan 2024, In: Equity in Education & Society
New academics’ experiences of induction to teaching: using Cultural Historical Activity Theory (CHAT) to understand and improve induction experiences, Mathieson, S., Black, K., Allin, L., Hooper, H., Penlington, R., McInnes, L., Orme, L., Anderson, E. 2 Jul 2024, In: International Journal for Academic Development
Bringing science alive in your classroom with a royal society partnership grant, Hooper, H., Bell, A., Mitchell-Lawson, C. Sep 2023
Enhancing University mentoring practice through Activity Theory analysis of the lived experiences of Learning and Teaching mentors, Hooper, H., Allan, J., Allin, L., Elsdon, M., Mathieson, S., Penlington, R. 4 Dec 2023, Higher Education Research, Practice, and Policy: Connections & Complexities
Evaluating the impact of a ‘competitive salary’ in a placement job advertisement on different student groups: Final Report of a 2023 ASET Student Research Bursary Project, Akel, S., Hooper, H., Sangal, V. 23 Nov 2023
The practice of sandwich degrees, Udell, J., O'Brien, V., Flynn, S., Hooper, H., Walker-Martin, F. 6 Jun 2023, The Routledge International Handbook of Work-Integrated Learning, London, Routledge
What does a headteacher look like? Teaching trainee teachers about unconscious gender bias, Hooper, H. 29 Jun 2023, Institute for Educational & Social Equity Annual Conference
An Activity Theory analysis of professional support and technical staff experiences of induction into teaching., Hooper, H., Hooper, D. 5 Dec 2022, 2022 International Society for Research into Higher Education Research Conference
Are teaching leadership job advertisements inclusive?, Hooper, H. 15 Jul 2022, Institute for Educational and Social Equity in association with London South Bank University Annual ‘Equity in Education & Society’ Conference