who am I - Introducing the web team: Dr Sarah-Louise Quinnell

I am delighted to be the blog editor for #NSMNSS and thought it was about time I introduced myself Properly ... 

I am not entirely sure how best to describe myself: Behavioural Geographer, Digital Humanist or Learning Technologist. Informally, digital junkie would probably best describe it, or at the very least a hybrid of all three. My research interests focus on the cognitive processes underlying spatial reasoning, decision making, and behaviour that people display within online spaces, specifically online spaces used for learning. My practical experience has focused on developing digital environments / communities and resources / content to support people engaged in Vocational, specifically Practice Based Professional Learning (PBPL).

I am an experienced researcher, instructional designer and freelance trainer and enjoy working with a range of organisations to develop resources to support learning through pushing digital boundaries. I have a PhD from the Geography Department at King’s College London, where I was the first student to complete their research entirely online. I am currently undertaking an MA in Online and Distance Education with the Open University, which I will complete next April.

I have written for a range of digital publications on issues to do with research, digital technology and social science. These include; The Guardian Higher Education Network, The Thesiswhisperer, PhD2Published, LSE Impact Blog and Social Science Space by SAGE. 

In 2011 I set up Networked Researcher, a training and development resource and community to support early career researchers and Higher Education Institutions looking to engage with digital technology to support the academic research process.

I am looking to cover a range of topics / themes during my time as Editor and I am eager to get members of the network involved. So please do let us know what topic areas you would like us to cover over the coming weeks.