Shaping Design and Technology
Hi, I’m Dr Alison Hardy and I’m an expert in design and technology education, curriculum, teaching and development. As a researcher and D&T leader, I work with organisations and schools to provide insight into the value of D&T education. As an education advisor, I work in partnership with teachers and schools to help them create an innovative and purposeful D&T curriculum.
Shaping Design and Technology
Hi, I’m Dr Alison Hardy and I’m an expert in design and technology education, curriculum, teaching and development. As a researcher and D&T leader, I work with organisations and schools to provide insight into the value of D&T education. As an education advisor, I work in partnership with teachers and schools to help them create an innovative and purposeful D&T curriculum.
“The best teachers are the ones that change their minds”
Terry Heick
Podcast
Talking D&T
Talking D&T is a podcast about design and technology education. Join me as I share ideas, news and views about D&T and interviews with teachers and researchers from the D&T community.
Podcast
Talking D&T
Talking D&T is a podcast about design and technology education. Join me as I share ideas, news and views about D&T and interviews with teachers and researchers from the D&T community.
Dr. Alison Hardy
I’m an academic, writer and podcaster. I help shape the practise and future of design and technology education through my research, published resources and lots of conversations with lovely people throughout the D&T education community.
Research interests
My research focuses on ‘The value and purpose of design and technology (D&T) education’. I’m fascinated by this area and have identified a diverse range of values attributed to D&T across a number of stakeholders. I also explore design and technology curriculum – what it is and how it’s taught.
Publications and podcast
I edit the Learning to Teach Design and Technology in the Secondary School (4th edition), Debates in Design and Technology (2nd edition) and host the Talking D&T podcast. Explore my podcasts
I love to talk about D&T … a lot!
To me, design and technology are far more than an interest, you might even call it an obsession. I love to talk to people about design and technology, I lead research about D&T, plus I also lead on thinking about design and technology curriculum.
If you’re interested in design and technology, then I’d love to talk to you too.
Dr. Alison Hardy
I’m an academic, writer and podcaster. I help shape the practise and future of design and technology education through my research, published resources and lots of conversations with lovely people throughout the D&T education community.
Research interests
My research focuses on ‘The value and purpose of design and technology (D&T) education’. I’m fascinated by this area and have identified a diverse range of values attributed to D&T across a number of stakeholders. I also explore design and technology knowledge – what it is and how it’s taught.
Publications and podcast
I edit the Learning to Teach Design and Technology in the Secondary School (4th edition), Debates in Design and Technology (2nd edition due out in March 2022) and host the Talking D&T podcast. Explore my podcasts
I love to talk about D&T … a lot!
To me, design and technology are far more than an interest, you might even call it an obsession. I love to talk to people about design and technology, I lead research about D&T, plus I also lead on thinking about design and technology knowledge.
If you’re interested in design and technology, then I’d love to talk to you too.
Join My Newsletter
D&T education is constantly evolving. Let me help you stay right up to date.
Free resources
Achieve more with books and curriculum development.
Monthly updates
Receive insights and updates on my current D&T project.
Access latest research
Stay aware with links to newly published D&T education research.
Get involved
Discover how you can get involved in my research.
Join My Newsletter
D&T education is constantly evolving. Let me help you stay right up to date.
Free resources
Achieve more with books and curriculum development.
Monthly updates
Receive insights and updates on my current D&T project.
Access latest research
Stay aware with links to newly published D&T education research.
Get involved
Discover how you can get involved in my research.
What People Say About Me
The Talking D&T podcast has been excellent for my professional development, it is easy to listen to and incredibly informative. Through Alison’s conversations, she explores the multifaceted world of D&T and has helped me to question and challenge my own practice. I particularly enjoy her guest speakers, discussing the different aspects and opportunities within D&T. If you are someone who has a keen interest in the world of D&T, then I highly recommend listening to this Podcast.
Working with Alison has significantly enhanced my teaching practice and opened up a wealth of opportunities to develop my career. Alison challenges and questions my thinking, especially around teaching pedagogy and the purpose of design and technology, which has had a clear and positive impact on the pupils I teach, improving their attitude and approach towards the subject.
Alison provided our Trust-wide D&T subject community with the means to both navigate and engage with the wider Design and Technology education community. The session allowed D&T subject leaders and teachers to reflect on how engaging with their wider community and subject-specific scholarship could have value for their classroom practice. It was incredibly powerful that the session gave teachers the time and space to reflect on their department’s approach to D&T and the notion of D&T capability.
After listening to Alison’s thought-provoking discussions with her guests, it’s impossible to leave without a head full of ideas. The podcasts are fascinating, insightful and accessible. An invaluable part of the D&T teacher’s toolkit!
Alison provided a thought provoking and well balanced article for the CLEAPSS e-magazine, Futureminds, about what she felt were a number of options for where D&T might go in the next few years. She also gave me the opportunity to talk about CLEAPSS’ work on her podcast – a great conversation. I look forward to working with Alison again in the future.
Alison’s advice to our department helped us make positive changes to our D&T curriculum. She gave us an honest assessment of where our strengths were and how we could develop out planning and day-to-day practice, going that extra mile with follow up support after her visit.