Researcher Details |

James Lovatt

Contact Details

Associate Professor

Dr. Lovatt is an Associate Professor in Science Education and previously served as the inaugural Head of the School of STEM Education, Innovation and Global Studies in the DCU Institute of Education between 2016 and 2020. Dr. Lovatt has previously served as Chair of the Professional Masters of Education and as management committee representative on the BSc Science Education, BSc Physical Education with Biology and BSc Physics Education with Mathematics.

Dr. Lovatt teaches and researches in the area of Initial Teacher Education and STEM Education and Education He is particularly interested in the areas of Science Education, Teacher Education, Teaching and Learning Methodologies with specific interest in Conceptual Development, Inquiry-Based-Science-Education (IBSE), Classroom Discourse, Assessment, Problem Solving, and Education Design. He qualified as a second level science teacher (physics/chemistry) before completing is PhD in the area of Chemistry Education. He is a member of the Centre for the Advancement of STEM Teaching and Learning (CASTeL).

Dr. Lovatt has participated in numerous EU (Erasmus, Horizon) projects including: Strategies for Assessment of Inquiry Learning in Science (SAILS); Open Schools for Open Societies (OSOS); Remote Inquiries in Science Education (RISE) He was the DCU PI on the Erasmus+ project Three Dimensions of Inquiry in Physics Education (3DIPhE).

Book

	Year	Publication
	2020	Lovatt, J., Grimes, P., McLoughlin, E., (2020) Educational Design Research for Teacher Professional Learning, Part A: Education Design Research. Slovenia: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education.
	2015	Finlayson, O.E., McLoughlin, E., Coyle, E., McCabe, D., Lovatt, J., van Kampen, P. (Eds) (2015) SAILS Inquiry and Assessment Units Volume 2. http://results.sails-project.eu/sites/default/files/outcomes/SAILS_units_volume-2.pdf
	2015	Finlayson, O.E., McLoughlin, E., Coyle, E., McCabe, D., Lovatt, J., van Kampen, P. (Eds) (2015) SAILS Inquiry and Assessment Units Volume 1. http://results.sails-project.eu/sites/default/files/outcomes/SAILS_units_volume-1.pdf

Book Chapter

	Year	Publication
	2015	Dragica Trivić , Odilla Finlayson, James Lovatt, Lorraine McCormack (2015) 'Design of Learning and Assessment Tasks' In: Iwona Maciejowska & Bill Byers(Eds.). A Guidebook of Good Practice for the Pre-Service Training of Chemistry Teachers. Krakow : Faculty of Chemistry, Jagiellonian University.
	2012	O'Hara, J., Lahart, J., Lovatt, J., McSharry, M., & McNamara, G. (2012) 'Managing Stress in Initial Teacher Education: - Challenges and Opportunities' In: Nikolaeva, S., Mulcahy, C., Scanlon, G.(Eds.). Ireland
	2012	Kelly, O. Lovatt, J. (2012) 'Insights into Science Students' Problem-Solving Strategies in the Chemistry Laboratory, New Perspectives in Science Education' In: Pixel(Eds.). Florence, Italy : Simonelli - University Press.

Edited Book

	Year	Publication
	2020	Lovatt, J., Grimes, P., McLoughlin, E. (Ed.). (2020) Educational Design Research for Teacher Professional Learning. Slovenia: University of Ljubljana, Faculty of Education,

Peer Reviewed Journal

	Year	Publication
	2021	Lovatt, J. (2021) 'Full STEAM ahead - Implications for Teacher Education in the Context of Curricular and Policy Reform in Ireland'. Asia Research Network Journal of Education, 1 (1):1-14.
	2014	Holland, C., Mulcahy, C., Judge, M., Lovatt, J., Scanlon, G., Rami, J., Corrigan, T. & McSharry, M. (2014) 'A Case Study of Infusing Sustainability within Dublin City University, through engagement in the EU TEMPUS Reorienting University Curricula to Address Sustainability (RUCAS) project. IN Reorienting University Curricula to Address Sustainability: RUCAS Case Studies'. :143-156.
	2013	Lovatt, James; Finlayson, Odilla (2013) 'Investigating the transition into third level science - identifying a student profile'. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 14 (1). [DOI]
	2012	Kelly, O. and Lovatt, J. (2012) 'A case study exploring students' problem-solving strategies in a PBL chemistry task'. NEW DIRECTIONS IN THE TEACHING OF PHYSICAL SCIENCES, 8 :38-42.
	2007	Lovatt, J.; Finlayson, O.E.; James, P. (2007) 'Evaluation of student engagement with two learning supports in the teaching of 1^st year undergraduate chemistry'. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 8 . [Link]
	2007	Lovatt, James; Finlayson, Odilla E.; James, Paraic (2007) 'Evaluation of student engagement with two learning supports in the teaching of 1^st year undergraduate chemistry'. Chemistry Education Research and Practice, 8 (4).

Conference Publication

	Year	Publication
	2024	James Lovatt, Eilish McLoughlin, Paul Grimes (2024) SMEC 2024 Beyond Boundaries - Future Proofing Science, Maths, Technology, Engineering Education . In: Aisling Twohill, Yvonne Naughton, Natalie O'Neill eds. *Supporting Science Teacher Professional Learning through Practitioner Inquiry* https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11580574
	2024	Stephen Gammell, Eilish McLoughlin, Paul Grimes and James Lovatt (2024) SMEC 2024 Beyond Boundaries - Future Proofing Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering Education . In: Aisling Twohill, Yvonne Naughton, Natalie O'Neill eds. *In-service teacher's self efficacy for learning physics* https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11580574
	2024	Eilish McLoughling, Stephen Gammell, Paul Grimes and James Lovatt (2024) SMEC 2024 Beyond Boundaries - Future Proofing Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering Education . In: Aisling Twohill, Yvonne Naughton, Natalie O'Neill eds. *In-service teacher's self-efficacy for teaching physics* https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11580574
	2021	J. Trimble; O.E. Finlayson; J.Lovatt (2021) 14th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation *Pre-service chemistry teacher education; Incorporating Metacognitive Pedagogical Strategies* [DOI]
	2020	J. Trimble; O.E.Finlayson; J.Lovatt (2020) 13th annual International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation *Classroom discourse to promote metacognition and conceptual understanding in chemistry: an analysis* [DOI]
	2019	Trimble, J., Lovatt, J., & Finlayson, O.E. (2019) 13th International ESERA Conference . In: Levrini, O. & Tasquier, G eds. *Questioning strategies to promote and assess, cognition metacognition and conceptual understanding in chemistry: an analysis* Bologna,
	2018	Mcloughlin, E; Grimes, P; Lovatt, J; Mordan, C; Murphy, P (2018) SMEC 2018: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice in STEM Education *Open schools for open societies: Encouraging innovation in schools and communities*
	2015	Ashkanani, A.; O'Hara, J.; Lovatt, J.; Al-Hassan, A.; Tamtam, A. (2015) INTED2015: 9TH INTERNATIONAL TECHNOLOGY, EDUCATION AND DEVELOPMENT CONFERENCE *THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL FACTORS ON INSTRUCTORS ATTITUDE TOWARD E-LEARNING SYSTEM IN KUWAIT UNIVERSITY USING TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL TAM*
	2014	Odilla Finlayson, Eilish McLoughlin, James Lovatt, Deirdre McCabe and Paul van Kampen (2014) SMEC 2014- Thinking Assessment in Science and Mathematics . In: McLoughlin, E.; Finlayson, O.; Brady, S.; Lovatt, J.; McCabe, D.; van Kampen, P eds. *Teacher Education Programmes in Inquiry and Assessment across Europe* [Link]

Conference Contribution

	Year	Publication
	2024	Priya Dharshini Augusthian, Orla Kelly, James Lovatt and Jack McCarthy (2024) SMEC 2024 Beyond Boundaries - Future Proofing Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering Education Circular Future - ready with formal and informal learning Ireland, . https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11580574
	2024	Odilla Finlayson and James Lovatt (2024) SMEC 2024 Beyond Boundaries - Future Proofing Science, Maths, Technology and Engineering Education Laboratory work in undergraduate chemistry studies - a look back and forward Ireland, . https://zenodo.org/doi/10.5281/zenodo.11580574
	2020	Trimble, J., Finlayson, O.E., Lovatt, J. (2020) 15th European Conference on Research in Chemical Education - Excellence and Innovation in Chemistry Teaching and Learning ECRICE 2020 Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel, .
	2015	Ashkanani,A., O Hara, J. Lovatt, J., Al-Hassan, A. and Tamtam,A. (2015) 9th International Technology, Education and Development Conference THE IMPACT OF PERSONAL FACTORS ON INSTRUCTORS ATTITUDE TOWARD E-LEARNING SYSTEM IN KUWAIT UNIVERSITY USING TECHNOLOGY ACCEPTANCE MODEL Madrid, Spail, 02/03/2015-04/03/2015.
	2019	Trimble, J., Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E. (2019) 13th International ESERA Conference, The beauty and pleasure of understanding: engaging with contemporary challenges through science education Questioning Strategies to Promote and Assess, Cognition Metacognition and Conceptual Understanding in Chemistry: An Analysis Bologna, .
	2019	Lovatt., J (2019) 2nd International Conference on Teacher Education Renovation in conjunction with the International Annual Meeting on STEM Education (I AM STEM 2019) Full STEAM ahead - implications for Teacher Education in the context of curricular and policy reform in Ireland Thai Nguyen University of Education, Vietnam, .
	2018	Grimes, P; Lovatt, J; Mcloughlin, E; Mordan, C; Murphy, P (2018) SMEC 2018: Connecting Research, Policy and Practice in STEM Education Beyond STEM: STEAM Education, Open Schools and More Developing Open Schooling in Ireland: Examining Schools as Evolving Learning Ecosystems Dublin, .
	2015	Ashkanani, A., O'Hara, J., Lovatt, J., Al-Hassan, A., Tamtam, A., (2015) 9th International Technology Education and Development Conference The Impact of Personal Factors on Instructors Attitude Toward E-Learning System in Kuwait University using Technology Acceptance Model Madrid, Spain, 02/03/2015-04/03/2015.
	2015	Nolan, B., Dempsey, M., Lovatt, J. and O'Shea, A (2015) British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics Developing Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching (MKT) for pre-service teachers: a study of students' developing thinking in relation to the teaching of mathematics St. Patrick's College, Dublin, 27/02/2015-28/02/2015.
	2015	Nolan, B., Dempsey, M., Lovatt, J., O'Shea, A. (2015) European Conference on the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning:Bridging Boundaries through the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning Mathematical Knowledge for Teaching UCC, Cork, 08/06/2015-09/06/2015.
	2015	Ford, J., Lorenzi, F., Lovatt, J. (2015) Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) 40th Annual Conference - Educational Research and Practice in Times of Transition: Looking to the Future Supporting 2nd year students in self-assessment: a case study in the context of CPD for the new Junior Cycle Framework Maynooth University, Ireland, 09/04/2015-11/04/2015.
	2012	Kelly, O., Lovatt, J. (2012) New Perspectives in Science Education Insights into Science Students’ Problem-Solving Strategies in the Chemistry Laboratory Florence, Italy, 08/03/2012-09/03/2012.
	2012	Corbett, K., van Kampen, P., Lovatt, J. (2012) Educational research in a Time of Transformation: Insights, influences and impacts, Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) 37th Annual Conference Community of practice as a method to proliferate the learning of inquiry based learning in second level science education in Ireland Cork, 29/03/2012-31/03/2012.
	2012	Ford, J, Lorenzi, F., Lovatt, J. (2012) Educational research in a Time of Transformation: Insights, influences and impacts, Educational Studies Association of Ireland (ESAI) 37th Annual Conference The Subject Learning Portfolio and its application in supporting the training of 2nd year students in self-assessment techniques Cork, 29/03/2012-31/03/2012.
	2011	Lovatt, J., McLoughlin, E., Finlayson, O.E., Murphy, P. (2011) Interdisciplinary experiences - collaborations and collisions Sixth annual Celsius Symposium on Science and Society Developing a module in Interdisciplinary Science The Helix Gallery, Dublin City University, 10/06/2011-10/06/2011.
	2011	O'Malley, P., Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E. (2011) Engaging Minds: Active learning, participation and collaboration in Higher education, NAIRTL 5th Annual Conference and Galway Symposium on Higher Education Sustaining Change - what happens after a research project? National University of Ireland, Galway, 09/06/2011-10/06/2011.
	2010	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E. (2010) 10th European Conference on Research In Chemical Education Using a quantitative approach to investigate teaching and learning of undergraduate chemistry in the Micro symposium: How can research influence practice? Examples given by young researchers from different countries, representing a variety of research approaches: Krakow, Poland, 04/07/2010-09/07/2010.
	2010	Kelly, O., Lovatt, J. (2010) Inquiry-based learning: Facilitating authentic learning experiences in science and mathematics, Science and Mathematics Education Conference SMEC 2010 Identifying students’ problem solving strategies and their relation to approaches to learning Dublin City Univeristy, 16/09/2010-17/09/2010.
	2008	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E. (2008) Variety in Chemistry Education Expectations, Approaches to learning and Academic Achievement: Are there correlations for the first year undergraduate chemistry student? Dublin City University, Ireland, 28/08/2008-29/08/2008.
	2008	Lovatt, J., Mc Crudden, E.B., Ramírez-García, S., Finlayson, O.E., O'Malley, P. (2008) 9th European Conference On Research In Chemical Education Selggog Abbey – a context laboratory problem for introductory undergraduate chemistry Istanbul, Turkey, 06/06/2008-09/06/2008.
	2008	Lovatt, J., Mc Crudden, E.B., Ramírez-García, S., Finlayson, O.E., O'Malley, P. (2008) Sciences serving science: Cross-disciplinary issues in Mathematics & Science Education, SMEC 2008 Selggog Abbey - a context laboratory for 1st year undergraduate science students¬ Dublin City University Ireland, 11/09/2008-12/09/2008.
	2007	Finlayson, O.E., Lovatt, J., Ramirez-Garcia, S. (2007) 2nd European Variety in Chemistry Education Small-scale teaching within large groups – empowering the tutors in a 1sy year undergraduate chemistry laboratory Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, 27/06/2007-30/06/2007.
	2007	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E., Ramirez-Garcia, S. (2007) 2nd European Variety in Chemistry Education Modification of an expository laboratory for 1st year undergraduate chemistry Charles University, Prague, Czech Republic, 27/06/2007-30/06/2007.
	2007	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E., Ramirez-Garcia, S. (2007) Variety in Chemistry Education Assessment for learning in undergraduate laboratory teaching University of Leicester, UK, 30/08/2007-30/08/2007.
	2006	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E., James, P. (2006) 8th International ESERA Summer School Addressing the learning of chemistry at undergraduate level Braga, Portugal, 15/07/2006-22/07/2006.
	2006	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E. (2006) SMEC, Interconnections between Science and Mathematics: 2nd Science and Mathematics Conference Monitoring Approaches to Learning in Undergraduate Chemistry St. Patrick’s College & Dublin City University, Ireland, 23/09/2006-24/09/2006.
	2006	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E., James, P. (2006) 8th European Conference On Research In Chemical Education Evaluation of student engagement with a virtual learning environment (Moodle) in the teaching of 1st year undergraduate organic chemistry Budapest, Hungary, 31/08/2006-01/09/2006.
	2006	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O., James, P. (2006) The 7th Variety In Irish Chemistry Teaching Meeting Evaluation of students engagement with moodle VLE in a 1st year organic chemistry blended learning module Dublin Institute of Technology,Ireland, 10/04/2006-10/04/2006.
	2005	Lovatt, J., Finlayson, O.E., James, P. (2005) Fifth International ESERA Conference on Contributions of Research to Enhancing Students’ Interest in Learning Science Development and evaluation of approaches to student teaching and learning of chemistry at tertiary level using a VLE platform Barcelona, Spain, 01/08/2005-05/08/2005.

Reports

	Year	Publication
	2015	Harrison, C.; Howard, S.; Matthews, B.; Finlayson, O.; Lovatt, J.; McCabe, D.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; SAILS consortium (2015) SAILS project report: Finalised evaluation materials for teacher education in IBSE with integrated assessment. REPORT [Link]
	2015	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2015) SAILS project report: Report from EAP on assessment materials (Part B). REPORT [Link]
	2015	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2015) SAILS project report: SAILS dissemination activities. REPORT [Link]
	2015	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2015) SAILS project report: Report from EAP on teacher education programme and CoP. REPORT [Link]
	2015	Lundström, M.; Jönsson, A.; Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; Lovatt, J.; van Kampen, P; McCabe, D. (2015) SAILS project report: IBSE Teacher Education and Assessment Programme, Stage 2. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Harrison, C.; Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; Friege, G.; Barth, M.; McCabe, D. (2014) SAILS project report: Evaluation of implementation with pilot teachers - Part B. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) SAILS project report:Activities of the Community of Practice (CoP) I. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) SAILS Networking activities. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) SAILS project report: European conference presentation on the SAILS CoP. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) Report from EAP on teacher education - Stage 1. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) SAILS project report: Activities of the Community of Practice (CoP) I. REPORT [Link]
	2014	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2014) SAILS project report: Evaluation of implementation with pilot teachers - Part B. REPORT [Link]
	2013	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2013) SAILS project report: IBSE Teacher Education. REPORT [Link]
	2013	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2013) SAILS project report: Assessment frameworks and instruments for IBSE skills - Part A. REPORT [Link]
	2013	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2013) SAILS project report:Strategy for the assessment of skills and competencies suitable for IBSE. REPORT [Link]
	2013	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2013) SAILS project report: Report from EAP on assessment materials (Part A). REPORT [Link]
	2012	Finlayson, O.; McLoughlin, E.; van Kampen, P.; Lovatt, J.; SAILS consortium (2012) SAILS project report: Organisation of the Community of Practice (CoP) in each participating country. REPORT [Link]

Professional Associations

Association	Function	From / To
Irish Association of Science Education Lecturers (IASEL)	Member	-
Royal Society of Chemistry	Member	-
Irish Science Teachers Association (ISTA)	Member	-
European Science Education Research Association (ESERA)	Member	-

Education

Institution	Qualification	Subject
Dublin City University	Ph.D. Science Education	Science Education

Dublin City University	B.Sc. Science Education	Science Education

Research Interests

Dr. Lovatt's research interests and expertise are in the areas of Science Education, Teacher Education, Teaching and Learning Methodologies with specific interest in Conceptual Development, Inquiry-Based-Science-Education (IBSE), Classroom Discourse, Assessment, Problem Solving, and Education Design. Dr. Lovatt is involved in a number a European and Industry Funded Projects through collaborations with colleagues in the Centre for the Advancement of Science and Mathematics Teaching & Learning (CASTeL) and is also a member of the Centre for Evaluation, Quality and Inspection (EQI).

Research Projects

Title	Role	Start date	End date
Remote Inquiries in Science Education	DCU Co-PI	01/03/2021	28/02/2023
Undergraduate Summer Research Internship Scheme	DCU Co-PI	29/05/2017	04/09/2017
Building Mathematical Content Knowledge for Teaching	DCU Co-PI	01/01/2013	29/12/2015
Development Initiative for life science teachers	DCU Project Team	01/08/2012	29/03/2014
Strategies for assessment of Inquiry Learning in Science (SAILS)	DCU Project Team	01/01/2012	29/12/2015
Trial and Error? How novice and experts approach problem solving	DCU-PI	01/09/2009	18/05/2010
Three Dimensions of Inquiry in Physics Education	DCU PI	01/09/2017	31/08/2020

Current Postgraduate Students

Student Name	Degree	Supervision
Trimble ,James Joseph	PhD	Supervisor
Augusthian ,Priya Dharshini	PhD-track	Supervisor
Bolger ,Michelle Caroline	PhD	Supervisor

Modules Coordinated

Term	Title	Subject
2021	Microteaching and School Placement	ES228
2022	Teaching and Learning in Science Education	ES572
2022	Microteaching & Teach Prep	ES143