Rate My Professor Steven Sexton

Dr. Steven Sexton is a Senior Lecturer in Science Education at the University of Otago College of Education, Dunedin Campus. He holds a BSc from Pennsylvania State University, an MTeach, and a PhD from the University of Sydney completed in 2007. His doctoral research investigated teacher cognition, specifically how pre-service teachers entering initial teacher education programmes form their role-identity as teachers based on prior classroom experiences. Prior to academia, Sexton worked as a primary school teacher. His career at the University of Otago involves teaching key courses including EDUC465 Science Education for Teachers, EDUC318 Gender Issues in Education, EDCR232 Science and Technology, and EDCR332 Local Curriculum and Integration.

Sexton's research specializations and academic interests center on primary science education, Nature of Science (NOS) and Nature of Technology (NOT), teacher cognition, heteronormativity in the classroom, culturally responsive and sustaining teaching practices, initial teacher education programme design and implementation, professional learning and development for primary teachers, reflexive thinking, adaptive expertise, video capturing for teacher reflection, enquiry-based learning in under-resourced schools, and science communication strategies. He has authored numerous publications, including book chapters such as 'Nature of Science and Nature of Technology' (2023, Springer), 'Case studies in preparing future teachers: A gay educator in New Zealand's initial teacher education' (2021, Springer), and 'Meaningful learning: David P. Ausubel' (2020, Springer); and journal articles like 'Three Male Primary Student Teachers' Intersections of Languaging and Teaching' (2023, Journal of Language & Education), 'New Zealand student teachers’ reflections on planning, preparing, and delivery for effective and culturally responsive teaching practice' (2022, Education 3-13), and 'Embedding Culturally Responsive and Sustaining Teaching Practice in an Aotearoa New Zealand Initial Teacher Education Programme' (2025). With 195 citations across 45 research items, his contributions impact teacher education and science pedagogy. Sexton serves as Editor for Science Education International, the official journal of the International Council of Associations for Science Education (ICASE).