Joanne McKibbin

I am Head of the Department of Education at Kingston University, where I lead strategic initiatives across teacher education, work-based learning, and education research. My role aligns closely with the University’s Town House Strategy, which champions Future Skills, innovation, and inclusive excellence. I am committed to ensuring a high-quality student experience and actively support colleagues within the Department and wider School to develop their skills, knowledge, and practice—enhancing our provision and enabling students to achieve their full potential.

I oversee strategic planning and operational delivery, working collaboratively with senior leaders, academic teams, and external partners to ensure our programmes remain forward-thinking, inclusive, and responsive to the evolving needs of students and the education sector. I am deeply committed to enhancing the student experience and fostering a culture of continuous improvement. This includes supporting colleagues across the Department and wider School to develop their expertise and practice, ultimately strengthening our provision and enabling students to thrive.

I contribute to teaching across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes within the Department of Education. My teaching practice is informed by inclusive pedagogy, sector relevance, and a commitment to developing students’ professional and academic capabilities. I supervise Master’s-level research students working across diverse educational settings, supporting them to critically engage with contemporary issues and contribute meaningfully to practice and policy.

A key focus of my research areas is and has been the creation of safe, inclusive, and empowering learning environments in higher education. This aligns closely with the Town House Strategy, particularly its emphasis on student agency and inclusive practice. Central themes within my areas of interest include institutional culture, pedagogical design and academic leadership, each playing a vital role in fostering belonging, wellbeing, and equitable outcomes for diverse student populations.

I have extensive experience in designing and developing programmes that are current, relevant, and responsive to the evolving needs of learners and the education sector. This includes embedding inclusive pedagogies, co-creation with students, and flexible learning pathways that support access, progression, and success. My work also engages with themes such as professional identity formation, reflective practice, and the role of higher education in social mobility and workforce development.

Increasingly, my work contributes to sector-wide conversations around curriculum transformation, inclusive leadership, and the development of graduate attributes that prepare students for complex, dynamic professional environments. I am particularly interested in how higher education can respond to societal challenges through innovation, collaboration, and a commitment to equity.

My previous roles span leadership in Early Years, play, and social care provision, where I managed teams and led on quality assurance, safeguarding, policy development, and professional development. I also founded and ran a training company delivering bespoke programmes across the social care and early years sectors.

Earlier in my career, I worked in the Further Education sector as an Advanced Practitioner in Work-Based Learning and Course Leader for Early Years programmes. I was involved in the early development of Foundation Degrees in Early Years and the progression to BA (Hons) Top-Up courses. This work contributed to the creation of flexible, work-based pathways into higher education, broadening access for students who may not have previously considered university as an option.

Through my leadership, teaching and research, I aim to contribute meaningfully to Kingston University’s mission to enhance life chances, support student and staff ambitions, and strengthen impact on industry, policy, and the profession, thus helping to build a sustainable and inclusive future.

• BA(Hons) Early Childhood Studies
• MA Child Centred Interprofessional Practice
• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy