CV


Physics

Physicist 

  • BSc (Hons) 1st - Physics and Mathematics
  • MSc (Distinction) - Astrophysics - Research - modelling light distributions from galaxies 
  • PhD - Particle Physics  - Research  - Quantum chromodynamics (measurement of the strong coupling constant), b-quark physics, muon detection hardware
  • Additional (current) research in astrophysics: open cluster dynamics using data from Gaia

University Physics Lecturer

Teaching: Environmental physics, particle and nuclear physics, energy physics, physics and society, teaching laboratories, physics for PGCE science students

Research: neutron diffraction studies of DNA

A full list of physics research publications is also available (60 in refereed journals) - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Whalley-3 .


Third Sector Physics Organisation

Senior manager, teacher coach, project manager


Schools and Education

Teacher and School Leader

  • PGCE Secondary Science
  • MA - Science Education
  • MEd - Educational Leadership
  • NPQH

Teaching experience (across multiple schools): classroom physics/science/mathematics teacher, middle leader (head of science, head of year), senior leader, headteacher. Designated safeguarding lead.


University Educational Leadership Lecturer

Teaching: Leading Change in Education, Professional Learning, Leadership of Safeguarding, Introduction to Educational Leadership. Doctoral supervision.

Current Research: Teacher retention; International students' experiences; (quantitative and qualitative studies)

Publications

Education articles (sole author unless stated):

·         Exploring the reasons why former physics teachers in Scotland left teaching (Stuart Farmer and Mark Whalley) School Science Review – In Depth, due to be published March 2025

·       Why did they leave? Exploring the reasons why former physics teachers left teaching. School Science Review – In Depth, 106(392) Nov 2024

·       Should I stay or should I go? Exploring the experiences of physics teachers in their first five years (with Ian Horsewell). School Science Review – In Depth, 105(391) July 2024

·         It’s all in the presentation: how to engage international students during lectures. THE (Times Higher Education) Campus. June 2024 https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/its-all-presentation-how-engage-international-students-during-lectures

·         Mind your language: inclusive teaching for international students. THE (Times Higher Education) Campus. June 2024 https://www.timeshighereducation.com/campus/mind-your-language-inclusive-teaching-international-students

·         Where are the physics teachers? Challenges and opportunities in retaining physics teachers School Science Review – In Practice November 2023, 105(389)

·         Leadership lessons learnt in the lab Physics World March 2017

·         The joys of life without a sixth form Conference and Common Room vol.53 num.3 Autumn 2016

·         Breaking the vicious circle Physics World July 2011

·         Lateral Thoughts: What’s in a name? Physics World March 2008

·         Depleted Uranium: A Contemporary Controversy for the Teaching of radioactivity Physics Education November 2006

·         Lateral Thoughts: The Truth about Teaching Physics World February 2006

·         The Photoelectric Effect: A Useful Sporting Analogy Physics Education November 2005

·         Using Students to Model Sound Physics Education November 2005

·         Lateral Thoughts: On paper we never stood a chance Physics World September 2003

·         Crossing Divides: Rationalising Key Stage Two Primary Science Education Today, Vol. 49 Number 4 December 1996.

A full list of physics research publications is also available (61 in refereed journals) - https://www.researchgate.net/profile/Mark-Whalley-3 .

Substack: https://markwhalley.substack.com/  


Independent education consultancy and and training

Courses delivered

  • Change management for leaders in education
  • School development planning
  • Coaching and mentoring for leaders in education
  • Leading professional development and professional learning
  • Releasing your inner leader 1: An introduction to Personality Centred Leadership
  • Releasing your inner leader 2: A further introduction to Personality Centred Leadership and coaching
  • Effective Middle Leadership: Monitoring and Evaluation
  • Looking after your staff’s mental health

  • Outstanding Teaching and Learning

 

Awards
2011 Institute of Physics – Teacher of Science Award. This national award was given to me for my outstanding contribution to Science Education across Service Children’s Education.