Professor Crick’s research stems from a national and international scrutiny of the Welsh education system. He is primarily recognised internationally for leading the reforms of science and technology education in Wales over a sustained period (2011-present), as well as his research in computer science education.
Building on previous work as an inaugural member of the Welsh Government’s National Digital Learning Council (2012-2016), Professor Crick was appointed to co-chair the independent review of the ICT curriculum (2013), whose recommendations directly influenced the 2015 independent review of curriculum and assessment, resulting in major changes to science, ICT, and cross-curricular digital skills.
As part of the major Curriculum for Wales reforms, Professor Crick was appointed to chair the development of the “Science & Technology” area of learning and experience in the new Curriculum for Wales (2017-2020). The new Curriculum for Wales was published in January 2020, to start from September 2022.
Related to this role, Professor Crick was appointed as the chair of the National Network of Excellence in Science & Technology (NNEST), a £4m strategic investment by the Welsh Government to support the professional development of practitioners in this key area of the new Curriculum for Wales (2017-2019). This has directly contributed to the development of a new national strategy for educational research and enquiry.
