Dr Michael Ievers

General Information

Teaching Responsibilities

• Mechanical & Pneumatic Systems;
• Electrical & Electronic Systems
• Teaching Skills; Advanced Electronics
• Product Design in Metals;
• Research Dissertations;
• Advanced Certificate for Theatre in Schools.

External Interests / Community Service

• Authored plays: “Sharkey” (2015, nationally awarded); “Bobby Savage’s Secret War” (2018) and “The Professor and the Factory” (2019), staged by Marble Productions NI
• Director of Bangor Drama Club Limited (2016-2018)
• Project Manager for Studio 1A theatre renovation (2007-2017), fund-raising £200k +
• Chairman of Bangor Drama Club (2013-2015)
• Chapter contribution to “Bangor in the Eighties“, compiled by Terence Bowman (publ. Cottage Publications & Ballyhay Books)
• Ulster Drama Finals Gold Medal winner (1996 & 2009)
• Arts Council scholarship to train at the Central School of Speech and Drama, London

Represented  Ireland, acting at the World Drama Finals in Japan (1985).
Research Interests

• Project-Based Learning
• Development of Technology & Design education.

Background & Qualifications

• Senior Fellowship of the Higher Education Academy (2020)
• Associate Assessor with the Northern Ireland Education & Training Inspectorate (2017-)
• External Examiner for Teacher Education (Technology & Design) at Sheffield Hallam University (2014-2017)
• Member of the Board of Governors, Strathearn Grammar School (2009-2013)
• CCEA (Council for Curriculum, Examinations & Assessment) representative to the Qualifications and Curriculum Authority, London (2007)
• Professional Qualification for Headship (2004)
• Ph.D. (University of Ulster, 2004)
• CCEA Scrutineer for A-level Technology & Design (2002-2009)
• CCEA Assistant Chief Examiner for Technology & Design A-level (1996-2002)
• Head of Department (Technology & Design), Strathearn, Belfast (1994-2006)
• Teacher of Physics, Strathearn Grammar School, Belfast (1988-1994);
• PGCE (Physics & Computer Science) (Queen’s University, Belfast, 1988);
• Stress Engineer, Shorts Plc., Belfast (1986-1987);
• M.Eng. (Aero.) (Queen’s University, Belfast, 1986).

Research & Scholarship

Journal Articles

Ievers, M., Cummins, B. and Ballentine, M. (2024) ‘The impact of Project-Based Learning on the development of Transversal Skills: A case study approach’, PRHE Journal Online First, pp. 1-21.

Ievers, M., Cummins, B. & Ballentine, M. (2022) The Impact of COVID-19 Restrictions upon Transversal Skills Development amongst Higher Education Students, TEAN journal, 14(1), pp. 95-110.

Ievers, M. and McGeown, K. (2020) STEM education in Northern Ireland: is it an example of systemic failure?, TEAN journal, 12(1), pp. 38-47.

Ievers, M.,Wylie, K.,Gray, C.,Cummins, B.,Ni Aingleis, B.(2012). “The role of the University Tutor in School-Based Work in Primary Schools in Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland” European Journal of Teacher Education Vol. 36, No. 2, 183-199;

Book chapter
Ievers, M.,Wylie, K.,Gray, C.,Cummins, B.,Ni Aingleis, B.(2012) “Collaborative Models of Partnership for Teaching Practice in Irish Primary Schools”. In: Research Policy and Practice in Teacher Education in Europe (pp.241-262) eds. J.Madalinska, H.Niemi, S.Chong, and presented  at the Conference for Teacher Education Policy in Europe (TEPE) in Warsaw, 2012.

Conference proceedings and papers
Ievers, M., McGeown, K. (2018) “STEM in Northern Ireland Primary Schools: where is it at and where should it go?” presented at the Pupil Attitudes Towards Technology (PATT) Conference in Athlone;

Ievers. M, Burns. S, Leitch. R (2016) “The Haves and the Have-Nots: Lessons learned from provision of funding for Full Service Extended Schools” presented at the Atiner International Research Conference (2016) in Athens;

Burns. S, Ievers. M (2015) “Examination of a Model of Full Service Extended School (FSES) Provision in an Area of High Deprivation” presented at the European Conference of Educational Research (2015) in Budapest;

Research Reports

2022: Ievers, M., Cummins, B. & Ballentine, M. (2022) Evaluation Report of Project-Based Learning at South Eastern Regional College, Northern Ireland. https://www.serc.ac.uk/news/article/Stranmillis-Researchers-Reveal-Positive-Findings-from-SERCs-PBL-Surveys-

Leitch, R., Hughes, J., Burns, S., Cownie, E., McManus, C., Ievers, M., Shuttleworth, I., (2017) Investigating Links to Achievement and Deprivation (ILIAD). Belfast: Queen’s University Belfast.

2012: Member of the Northern Ireland Assembly-funded ILiAD Project (Understanding differential educational achievement within and between areas of multiple deprivation in Northern Ireland); the iLiad Report was published in September 2017 (www.executiveoffice-ni.gov.uk)