our flyer - Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group

Learning Spaces
Pedagogic Research Group
About Us
Physical and virtual space can have a
significant impact on the quality of learning
and teaching. The Learning Spaces Pedagogic
Research Group has been established to
encourage cross-disciplinary reflection on the
ways in which the environment can shape the
student experience. The group is committed to
applied research and has recently developed
a partnership with IBI THiNK at IBI Nightingale
architects to strengthen the link between
research and practice.
Well designed, flexible and agile spaces are essential
for individual, small group and large group activities.
Environmental psychology literature highlights how physical
settings, including the colour of walls, levels of natural light
and temperature can motivate or even disempower students
and staff.
Given the centrality of constructivist approaches to teaching
and learning, our pedagogic research group seeks to reflect
upon whether the physical environment is fit for purpose
and the scope for small low cost changes that can have
high impact on the learning and teaching experience. The
pedagogic research group welcomes participants from
academic schools through to estates and learning support to
join the debate.
Inaugural Learning Spaces Event
Ken Giannini who created the interior of Google’s 123
Buckingham Palace Road office in London - complete with
beach huts for meeting rooms, original dodgem cars and
traditional red telephone booths as work spaces available
to staff and visitors has given his backing for Newport
University’s new Graduate School at the inaugural seminar of
the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group.
Ken Giannini, Interior Design Director at Scott Brownrigg
who completed the Google project two years ago was at the
University to discuss how bold and innovative design, already
a growing movement in the workplace, could also be of
benefit to learning environments. He visited the University’s
new Caerleon Campus Graduate School, and recognised that
the area has itself been created in a bold and innovative style
with clever and inspiring use of space.
Speaking at the learning spaces seminar, Ken Giannini said:
“It was a pleasure to meet with the leaders of the Graduate
School learning spaces project and to see the work that has
already been implemented together with their future plans.
My talk on ‘Blurring the Boundaries’ has a direct relevance to
what they are trying to achieve. I believe the design of learning
environments is heavily influenced by current design ideas
being developed in the world of workplace, hospitality and
even residential, with each sector influenced by the others.”
“The new Graduate School environment has the look and
feel of a business lounge, which of course has its roots in the
Hotel and Airport sectors. I hope that the presentation of Scott
Brownrigg’s Google project provided some inspiring ideas for
new types of work settings, and illustrated how these can be
fun and practical at the same time.”
www.newport.ac.uk
City Campus
Group Members:
Dr Bela Arora – Chair of the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group
Bela has a PhD specialising in nuclear arms control and has engaged in lecturing, research and consultancy at universities
including Warwick, Cardiff and Birmingham. She joined the University of Wales Newport in 2010 as the Associate Director of
the Centre for Excellence in Learning and Teaching. She is now the Graduate School Manager overseeing the postgraduate
research experience and leading the Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group. In 2012 she secured funding from the
Strategic Insight Programme to engage in a collaboration with IBI Nightingale and build a meaningful link between research
and practice.
Molly Owens
Molly is an award-winning writer, creative director, art director and designer, with more than 20 years professional experience
in the advertising and creative industries. She joined the faculty at the university in 2008 after working in the United States for
several high-profile agencies as an art/creative director. She retains active engagement with the creative industries in both
Britain and the US as a consultant, and additionally has had numerous industry placements in the past two years with agencies
and new media companies.
Martin Edwards
Martin Edwards is a librarian and works at the University of Wales, Newport. He is interested in how learners interact with
physical and virtual spaces, along with also the provision of social zones. Currently, he is looking into customer flow and the
relationship people have with undefined spaces, and this will be a major part of the work he is undertaking currently at the
Riverfront Arts Centre, Newport as part of the Strategic Insight Programme
David Longman
David is a Senior Lecturer in the Faculty of Education and Social Sciences. He has a keen interest in digital scholarship and
digitally enhanced learning. David was previously a Research Fellow at the Centre of Excellence in Learning and Teaching.
He has been the recipient of five learning and teaching grants and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
The Learning Spaces Pedagogic Research Group offers a wide range of
expertise relating to innovative learning space design. If you are interested in
engaging with the group on collaborative research or consultancy, please do
not hesitate to contact the Chair by emailing: bela.arora@newport.ac.uk