Dr Martyn Walkerm.a.walker@hud.ac.uk | 01484 478225
Martyn has been Head of Department for Post Compulsory Education and Training at the University of Huddersfield since 2001. He trained as a secondary school teacher with a first degree in history and social science, and an MA in history. During his academic career, he has taught in secondary, further and higher education. He started his career teaching history in secondary schools and community education, later becoming involved in teacher training in further education colleges and universities.
Martyn's research activities are concerned with historical developments and their links with twenty-first century education. His PhD traces the growth and development of the mechanics' institute movement, particularly those in Yorkshire, which became the bedrock on which further and higher education has been established. Martyn’s on-going research is in relation to post school-age education and training.
In addition to his research activities, Martyn’s current teaching includes working with trainees on the FE Certificate in Education / PGCE, BA (Hons) in Education and Professional Development and supervision of Masters and doctorial students.
Martyn has considerable expertise in curriculum development and has been involved in validations and reviews, both internally and externally. In addition, he has acted as an external examiner for a number of UK universities. His international work has included working in Ethiopia, developing quality assurance systems for the further education sector and developing links, with a colleague from the School of Computing and Engineering, with the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia in relation to teacher training.
Walker, M (2013) ‘Encouragement of sound education amongst the industrial classes: mechanics’ institutes and working-class membership 1838–1881’ Educational Studies , 39 (2), pp. 142-155. ISSN 0305-5698
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘A Comparative Study of Awarding Organisation and HEI Initial Teacher Training Programmes for the Lifelong Learning Sector in England’ Professional Development in Education , 39 (3), pp. 352-368. ISSN 1941-5257
Alshahrani, S., Ward, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘Impact of Web technologies on student's self-confidence and self-reliance’. In: International Conference on Global Vision 2020, 3rd-4th May 2013, Tamil Nadu, India
Alshahrani, S., Ward, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘Impact of Web technologies on student-lecturer referent power relationship’. In: WEI International Conference Proceedings. Orlando, Florida, USA: West East Institute. pp. 16-20.
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2013) ‘Teacher Training Qualifications For The Lifelong Learning Sector – A Comparison Of Higher Education Institution And Awarding Body Qualifications’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (2), pp. 24-31. ISSN 2040-0993
Walker, M (2013) ‘Earnest students anxious to acquire a practical knowledge suited to the trade of the district: The growth and development of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement with particular reference to Huddersfield 1824 – 1890 ’ Journal of Educational Administration and History . ISSN 0022-0620
Walker, M (2012) ‘The banquet was prepared for guests who did not come: A study of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics' Institutes and its contribution to 19th century adult working-class education, 1838–1900’. In: Buildings Books and Blackboards:Intersecting Narratives Conference 2012, 28th Nov-1st Dec. 2012, Melbourne, Australia
Walker, M (2012) ‘Initial Teacher Training in the Lifelong Learning Sector: A Comparative Study of University and Awarding Body Programmes’. In: Universities' Council for the Education of Teachers. UCET Conference, 8th-9th November 2012, Leicestershire, UK
Walker, M (2012) ‘It is only the instructed and trained overlooker and artisan that can successfully compete against foreign skills’: Nineteenth-century adult technical and vocational education offered by the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics’ Institutes and the foundation of further education curricula’ Journal of Adult and Continuing Education , 18 (2), pp. 61-79. ISSN 1477-9714
Walker, M (2012) ‘The Origins and Development of the Mechanics’ Institute Movement 1824 – 1890 and the Beginnings of Further Education’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (1), pp. 32-39. ISSN 2040-0993
Walker, M (2012) ‘Partnership between the University of Huddersfield and the Guangdong Provincial Vocational Training Centre for College Principals with regard to Student-Centred Learning for Vocational Teachers in Schools and Colleges’ ’. In: The Third International Vocational Education Forum, 9th-11th May 2012, Guangzhou, China
Walker, M (2011) ‘A solid and practical education within the reach of the humblest means: The growth and development of the Mechanics’ Institutes Movement with particular reference to the Huddersfield Mechanics’ Institution 1825–1891’. In: The 9th JVETJournal of Vocational Education and Training International Conference , 8th - 10th July 2011, Worcester College Oxford
Walker, M (2010) Solid and practical education within reach of the humblest means’: the growth and development of the Yorkshire Union of Mechanics’ Institutes 1838–1891 Doctoral thesis, University of Huddersfield.
Robinson, D. and Walker, M. (2010) ‘'Working -class' education: notions of widening participation in the nineteenth and twenty-first centuries’. In: Research Festival, February 2010, University of Huddersfield
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. (2010) ‘Career planning and continuing professional development’. In: Teaching in Lifelong Learning. Milton Keynes: Open University Press. pp. 248-258. ISBN 9780335234684
Walker, M (2009) ‘Mechanics and miners: the growth and development of adult education in Barnsley 1831 - 1964’. In: Changing Barnsley: from mining town to university town. Barnsley: Wharncliffe Books. . ISBN 9781845631222
Walker, M (2009) ‘A Solid and Practical Education Within the Reach of the Humblest Means’. In: University of Huddersfield Research Festival, 23rd March - 2nd April 2009, University of Huddersfield
Walker, M (2008) Examinations for the 'underprivileged' in Victorian times: the Huddersfield Mechanics' Institution and the Society for the encouragement of Arts, Manufactures and Commerce William Shipley Group
Cook, M., Fisher, R. and Walker, M. (2008) Teacher education at Huddersfield, 1947-2007: from technical teacher training college to university school of education . Huddersfield: University of Huddersfield . ISBN 9781862180697
Simmons, R. and Walker, M. () ‘Teacher Training Qualifications For The Lifelong Learning Sector – A Comparison Of Higher Education Institution And Awarding Body Qualifications’ Teaching in lifelong learning: a journal to inform and improve practice , 4 (2), pp. 24-31. ISSN 2040-0993
Professional Membership and Activities
External Examiner (Current Appointments)
Examiner for Fd. Degree in Learning Support, Open University.
Other External Work
History of Adult Education
Education Management
Curriculum Design and Development
The impact of ITT on the Learning and Skills Sector; Scrutinising the synergy between standards and vocational needs.
Good Practice in Tutorial Support for Part-Time Adult Learners: An Exploration of the Perceptions of Learners, Teachers and Managers in a Further Education College (2006)
Meaningful Continuing Professional Development for Teachers in the Lifelong Learning Sector. Who decides? (2007)
Virtual Team-Working and Virtual Management (2008)
A Small-Scale Study into Perceptions of Progress Tutors in a Large Tertiary College (2008)
An Investigation into the Understanding of Change within a Secondary School Using a Narrative Analysis Method (2008)
Trainer-Trainees Perceptions of Literacy and Language and the Effects of these on Classroom Practice (2009)
