https://www.stir.ac.uk/people/annawilson
Anna Wilson is a Lecturer in Lifelong Learning in the Faculty of Social Sciences. She is a member of both the Professional Education and Teaching Qualification for Further Education teaching teams. Her research focuses on informal and formal learning needed to adapt to a complex and fast-changing world. She has a strong interest in the intersections between ethics, digital practices and sustainability. This has led to two complementary research foci: (i) the ways in which technological artefacts can shape ecologies of practices, including learning opportunities and experiences (ii) expanding the conception of data to include stories and fictions that express values, aspirations and fears. She is primarily an empirical researcher who likes to experiment with methodological and theoretical developments.
Prior to this, Anna was a nuclear physicist who worked in the US, UK and Australia, ultimately working at the Australian National University for over 12 years. In that context, she won two national teaching awards and co-led a national project on undergraduates' experiences of research. Anna completed her second PhD in Education at the University of Stirling in 2016 and joined the University as a lecturer in 2017.
Anna Wilson's research interests span several areas. Her primary foci at the moment are the increasing influence of technology (particularly digital technology) on formal and informal learning, whether it be through the way that formal systems such as Learning Analytics shape what is viewed as "learning" and "achievement" in Higher Education, or how the political and ethical paradigms embedded in (designed) platform features such as reputation systems shape the ways in which users of such systems behave, or how digital technologies offer new spaces for and ways of learning and developing in perhaps unrecognised ways.
She is also committed to research that enhances sustainability and is exploring ways in which both digital systems and alternative conceptions of data can be used to change people's relationships with waste and the climate crisis. You can find out more about Anna's current research projects by following the links below:
https://campuspress.stir.ac.uk/datacommonsscotland/
https://campuspress.stir.ac.uk/wastestories/
Because of her scientific background, Anna remains interested and active in areas of science education, particularly at the HE level, where they relate to the development of students as professional or practicing scientists.
Waste Stories
PI: Dr Anna Wilson
Funded by: The Leverhulme Trust
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Water and Fire: Understanding and reducing risk with 15 “Best Bets” for enhancing capacity for transformative adaptation with vulnerable township residents on the Cape Flats in Cape Town, South Africa.
PI: Professor Dalene Swanson
Funded by: Economic and Social Research Council
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Participatory Design and Open Data Platforms for a Data Commons in Scotland: case study – waste management
PI: Dr Greg Singh
Funded by: Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
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Article
Wilson A, Howitt S, Holloway A, Williams A & Higgins D (2021) Factors affecting paramedicine students' learning about evidence-based practice: a phenomenographic study. BMC Medical Education, 21, Art. No.: 45. https://doi.org/10.1186/s12909-021-02490-5
Article
Surveillance practices, risks and responses in the post pandemic university
Beetham H, Collier A, Czerniewicz L, Lamb B, Lin Y, Ross J, Scott A & Wilson A (2021) Surveillance practices, risks and responses in the post pandemic university. Digital Culture and Education. https://www.digitalcultureandeducation.com/
Research Report
Telling Data Stories: developing an online tool for participatory speculative fiction
Wilson A, Ross J, McKie J, Collier A & Lockley P (2021) Telling Data Stories: developing an online tool for participatory speculative fiction. SAGE. SAGE Research Methods: Doing Research Online. London.
Article
Learning to see with Deleuze: understanding affective responses in image-viewer research assemblages
Wilson A (2021) Learning to see with Deleuze: understanding affective responses in image-viewer research assemblages. Qualitative Research, 21 (6), pp. 906-922. https://doi.org/10.1177/1468794120946979
Article
Commonshare: A New Approach to Social Reputation for Online Collaborative Communities
Rough D, De Paoli S & Wilson A (2021) Commonshare: A New Approach to Social Reputation for Online Collaborative Communities. Social Science Computer Review. https://doi.org/10.1177/08944393211028191
Article
Various collective states in the i 124 nucleus
Moon C, Moon B, Park J, Dracoulis GD, Kibédi T, Bark RA, Byrne AP, Davidson PA, Lane GJ & Wilson AN (2021) Various collective states in the i 124 nucleus. Physical Review C, 103 (3), Art. No.: 034318. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.103.034318
Article
Highly deformed band structures due to core excitations in 123Xe
Basu A, Singh AK, Ragnarsson I, Carlsson BG, Kardan A, Hagemann GB, Sletten G, Herskind B, Hübel H, Chmel S, Wilson AN, Rogers J, Janssens RVF, Carpenter MP & Khoo TL (2021) Highly deformed band structures due to core excitations in 123Xe. Physical Review C, 103 (1), Art. No.: 014301. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.103.014301
Monograph
Pedagogies of Difference and Desire in Professional Learning: Plugging in to Shared Images
Wilson A (2020) Pedagogies of Difference and Desire in Professional Learning: Plugging in to Shared Images. Newcastle: Cambridge Scholars Publishing.
Article
Evolution of collective and noncollective structures in Xe-123
Basu A, Singh AK, Nag S, Hagemann GB, Sletten G, Herskind B, Wilson AN, Rogers J, Ragnarsson I, Hubel H, Chmel S, Janssens RVF, Carpenter MP, Khoo TL & Kondev FG (2020) Evolution of collective and noncollective structures in Xe-123. Physical Review C, 101 (2), Art. No.: 024309. https://doi.org/10.1103/PhysRevC.101.024309
Article
On the ethical and political agency of online reputation systems
Wilson A & De Paoli S (2019) On the ethical and political agency of online reputation systems. First Monday, 24 (2). https://doi.org/10.5210/fm.v24i2.9393
Article
Creating personas for political and social consciousness in HCI design
Wilson A, De Paoli S, Forbes P & Sachy M (2018) Creating personas for political and social consciousness in HCI design. Persona Studies, 4 (2), pp. 25-46. https://ojs.deakin.edu.au/index.php/ps/article/view/736/732
Article
Developing critical being in an undergraduate science course
Wilson A & Howitt S (2018) Developing critical being in an undergraduate science course. Studies in Higher Education, 43 (7), pp. 1160-1171. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2016.1232381
Article
Howitt S & Wilson A (2018) Reflecting on the use and abuse of scientific data facilitates students’ ethical and epistemological development. Science Education, 102 (3), pp. 571-592. https://doi.org/10.1002/sce.21333
Conference Proceeding
Reconsidering online reputation systems
Wilson A & De Paoli S (2018) Reconsidering online reputation systems. In: Proceedings of 16th European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work - Exploratory Papers. Reports of the European Society for Socially Embedded Technologies. 16th European Conference on Computer-Supported Cooperative Work, Nancy, France, 04.06.2018-08.06.2018. Siegen, Germany: EUSSET. https://doi.org/10.18420/ecscw2018_12
Conference Paper
Representing connections: how visualizations shape understandings of networks
Wilson A (2017) Representing connections: how visualizations shape understandings of networks. 4th International Visual Methods Conference, University of Brighton, 16.09.2015-18.09.2015. Visual Methodologies, 5 (1), pp. 67-79. http://journals.sfu.ca/vm/index.php/vm/article/view/86
Article
Small data, online learning and assessment practices in higher education: a case study of failure?
Watson C, Wilson A, Drew V & Thompson TL (2017) Small data, online learning and assessment practices in higher education: a case study of failure?. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 42 (7), pp. 1030-1045. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2016.1223834
Article
Advancing Shannon Entropy for Measuring Diversity in Systems
Rajaram R, Castellani B & Wilson A (2017) Advancing Shannon Entropy for Measuring Diversity in Systems. Complexity, 2017, Art. No.: 8715605. https://doi.org/10.1155/2017/8715605
Book Chapter
Educational backgrounds, project design and inquiry learning in citizen science
Edwards R, McDonnell D, Simpson I & Wilson A (2017) Educational backgrounds, project design and inquiry learning in citizen science. In: Herodotou C, Sharples M & Scanlon E (eds.) Citizen Inquiry: Synthesising Science and Inquiry Learning. London: Routledge, pp. 195-209. https://www.routledge.com/Citizen-Inquiry-Synthesising-Science-and-Inquiry-Learning/Herodotou-Sharples-Scanlon/p/book/9781138208698
Article
Learning analytics: challenges and limitations
Wilson A, Watson C, Thompson TL, Drew V & Doyle S (2017) Learning analytics: challenges and limitations. Teaching in Higher Education, 22 (8), pp. 991-1007. https://doi.org/10.1080/13562517.2017.1332026
Research Report
Priestley M, Wilson A, Priestley A & Serpa R (2017) Mapping the impact of educational interventions: A report commissioned by the Education Achievement Service for South East Wales. University of Stirling/Education Achievement Service for South East Wales.
Article
Big data and learning analytics: Singular or plural?
Wilson A, Thompson TL, Watson C, Drew V & Doyle S (2017) Big data and learning analytics: Singular or plural?. First Monday, 22 (4). http://firstmonday.org/ojs/index.php/fm/article/view/6872/6089#author
Article
Wilson A, Howitt S & Higgins D (2016) Assessing the unassessable: making learning visible in undergraduates' experiences of scientific research. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 41 (6), pp. 901-916. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2015.1050582
Article
Wilson A, Howitt S & Higgins D (2016) A fundamental misalignment: intended learning and assessment practices in undergraduate science research projects. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education, 41 (6), pp. 869-884. https://doi.org/10.1080/02602938.2015.1048505
Article
Criticality and the exercise of politeness in online spaces for professional learning
Watson C, Wilson A, Drew V & Thompson TL (2016) Criticality and the exercise of politeness in online spaces for professional learning. Internet and Higher Education, 31, pp. 43-51. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.iheduc.2016.06.002
Conference Proceeding
Image-sharing in Twitter-based professional conversations
Wilson A (2016) Image-sharing in Twitter-based professional conversations. In: Cranmer S, Dohn N, de Laat M, Ryberg T & Sime J (eds.) Proceedings of the 10th International Conference on Networked Learning 2016. Tenth International Conference on Networked Learning 2016: Looking back – moving forward, Lancaster, 09.05.2016-11.05.2016. Lancaster: Lancaster University Press, pp. 358-366. http://www.networkedlearningconference.org.uk/abstracts/pdf/P38.pdf
Book Chapter
Making Critical Thinking Visible in Undergraduates' Experiences of Scientific Research
Wilson A, Howitt S, Higgins D & Roberts PJ (2015) Making Critical Thinking Visible in Undergraduates' Experiences of Scientific Research. In: Davies M & Barnett R (eds.) The Palgrave Handbook of Critical Thinking in Higher Education. New York: Palgrave Macmillan, pp. 491-508. https://link.springer.com/chapter/10.1057/9781137378057_29
Article
Developing, expressing and contesting opinions of science: encouraging the student voice
Howitt S & Wilson A (2015) Developing, expressing and contesting opinions of science: encouraging the student voice. Higher Education Research and Development, 34 (3), pp. 541-553. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294360.2014.973382
Conference Paper (unpublished)
Opening critical spaces for professional learning: Online pedagogy and assessment
Thompson T, Watson C, Drew V, Doyle S, Smith S & Wilson A (2015) Opening critical spaces for professional learning: Online pedagogy and assessment. University of Stirling Learning and Teaching Conference, 04.2015-04.2015.
Article
Howitt S & Wilson A (2014) Revisiting "is the scientific paper a fraud?": The way textbooks and scientific research articles are being used to teach undergraduate students could convey a misleading image of scientific research. EMBO Reports, 15 (5), pp. 481-484. https://doi.org/10.1002/embr.201338302
Article
Connecting expectations and experiences of students in a research-immersive degree
Wilson A, Howitt S, Roberts P, Akerlind G & Wilson K (2013) Connecting expectations and experiences of students in a research-immersive degree. Studies in Higher Education, 38 (10), pp. 1562-1576. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2011.633163
Article
Making 'professionalism' meaningful to students in higher education
Wilson A, Akerlind G, Walsh B, Stevens B, Turner B & Shield A (2013) Making 'professionalism' meaningful to students in higher education. Studies in Higher Education, 38 (8), pp. 1222-1238. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2013.833035
Article
Confronting an augmented reality
Munnerley D, Bacon M, Wilson A, Steele J, Hedberg J & Fitzgerald R (2012) Confronting an augmented reality. Research in Learning Technology, 20 (Supplement), pp. 39-48. https://doi.org/10.3402/rlt.v20i0.19189
Article
Wilson A, Howitt S, Wilson K & Roberts P (2012) Academics' perceptions of the purpose of undergraduate research experiences in a research-intensive degree. Studies in Higher Education, 37 (5), pp. 513-526. https://doi.org/10.1080/03075079.2010.527933
Article
Howitt S, Wilson A, Wilson K & Roberts P (2010) 'Please remember we are not all brilliant': Undergraduates' experiences of an elite, research-intensive degree at a research-intensive university. Higher Education Research and Development, 29 (4), pp. 405-420. https://doi.org/10.1080/07294361003601883
Anna teaches on the Teaching Qualification for Further Education programmes. She is also involved in the MSC Professional Education and Leadership. In 2021, she has co-developed a new microcredential with Dr Terrie Lynn Thompson, Work and Leadership in the Age of AI.
