Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar

I am a Principal Lecturer (Associate Professor) of Learning and Teaching and Physical Education and Sport Pedagogy.

I trained and worked as a teacher in schools before moving into higher education. I read for a PhD (1996-2000) and a Master’s Degree in Education (1993-1995) at the Victoria University of Manchester; and for a B.Ed.(Hons.) (1987-1991) and a Diploma in Applied Social Studies (1986-1989) at the University of Malta.

I have been awarded a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (UK) (2014). I am a trained mentor and assessor for the portfolio route of “My Accredited Pathway to HE”, MAP:HE (ADVANCE HE: HEA (UK) Higher Education teaching qualification).

In 2008 I joined Canterbury Christ Church University (UK). I have contributed to the role of institutional lead for the Teaching Excellence and Student Outcomes Framework (TEF) (2016-2017) and Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching in two faculties (2014-2018; 2020-2022).

I am the Faculty Safeguarding Lead and the Senior Tutor for the School of Psychology and Life Sciences - Sport Exercise and Rehabilitation Sciences. In my roles I lead and support staff ensure that all our students receive the best possible experience to complete their studies, achieve their goals, progress to graduate employment and get all the academic and personal support that they need.

Previously, I led undergraduate and postgraduate courses and modules at CCCU and at the University of Malta (1995-2008). I also led international and cross faculty funded research projects. I am also involved in teaching and supervising students on undergraduate, postgraduate and doctorate programmes.

I have been teaching in the Higher Education sector since 1995. I have contributed to a series of academic leadership roles: module and course director; Personal Academic Tutor; Senior Tutor; Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching and institutional strategic lead for the Teaching and Excellence Framework (TEF, 2018) Learning Gain for three years. The CCCU TEF statement of findings specified that:

“The Panel considered the University's submission in relation to the TEF criteria, showing strong learning gain in terms of long-term employment outcomes, and disadvantaged students achieving good degrees at the same rate as other students.”

Canterbury Christ Church University received a prestigious Silver award for teaching excellence, ‘exceeding’ national quality requirements for UK universities. In my roles I support course teams to develop action plans to champion closing the gaps of students with particular characteristics; teaching, learning and assessment excellence and innovation through continuous and periodic reviews; and annual learning and teaching conferences. I coach, mentor and support colleagues to gain qualifications for teaching in higher education.

The main areas of academic lecturing and specialisms include pedagogy, learning, teaching, assessments, examinations and accreditation, curricular issues, inclusion, physical education and health enhancing physical activity.

I am part of the team accredited with mentoring and verifying the ADVANCE HE Fellowship Awards at CCCU, which attest to teaching excellence as acclaimed by the United Kingdom Professional Standards Framework (UK PSF) for Higher Education.

Since 2008 I have developed and led the following modules. *Currently leading.

Undergraduate Programmes Module Leader

*U12628: Introduction-to-Pedagogy (level 4)
*U12634: Inclusive-Pedagogy (level 5)
*U19106: Diversity-and-Inclusion (level 4)
*U12600: Inclusion-and-adapted-Physical-Activities (level 5)
*U12601: Assessments-in-Physical-Education-and-School-Sports (level 5)
* U14567 Principles of Educational Assessment (level 6)
MEFMD0NPE: Introduction to Physical-Education-and-Sport-and-Exercise-Science-(level 0)
MPEMD1TLP: Teaching-and-Learning-in-Physical-Education (level 4)
MPAIN1TCC: Teaching-and-Coaching-across-the-Curriculum (level4)
MPAIN1FMA: Fundamental-Movement-and-Activity-for-Physical-Development (level 4)
MPAIN1FSH: Foundations-of-Sports-and-Physical-Activity-for-Health (level 4)
MPAIN1LAM: Leading-and-Managing-Physical-Education-and-School-Sport (level 4)
MPAIN1LPE: Learning-in-Physical-Education-and-School-Sport (level 4)
MPEMD2APE: Assessment-and-Evaluation-in-Physical- Education (level5)
MPEMD2PPE: Inclusive Practices in Physical Education (level 5)
MHDM2PEM: Physical Development and Movement (level 5)
MPEMD3LPE: Learning in Physical Education (level 6)
MPEMD3PVB: Perspectives, Value and Beliefs in PE (level 6)
MPEMD3PEP: Professional Experience in Physical Education and Sport (level 6)
MPEMD3S20/40: individual Study (level 6)
BA Primary- Physical Education (level 5 and 6)

Postgraduate Programmes Module Leader

MEDIN4BCT: Critical Theory and Evidence-informed Practice (level 7)
MA Early Years (New-Leaders-in-Early-Years)-Physical Development (level 7)
PGCE: Physical-Education (level 7)

My research interests and publications are on pedagogy, curricular innovation, assessments in higher education and education, Physical Education, Health Enhancing Physical Activities and Sport related domains. I participated in ERASMUS staff mobility programmes, and research and knowledge projects with various national and international stakeholders

Research projects

Knowledge Exchange cross-university project (2017-2019) A case study of combined and single honours: insights of students’ experience on the Early Childhood Studies programme in the Faculty of Education: £ 2000
Knowledge Exchange (2018-2019) Investigating the effect of module teaching activity design; and how this is constructively aligned to module assessment activity types (CCCU, 2017) in the Faculty of Education: £4000
Horizon 2020 EU Funding: Erasmus + Sports Programme Funding Stream: SPEACH (Sport Physical Education and Coaching in Health)- Project (June 2014-Dec 2017): €494.420,70
Physical Education and Higher Education: Curricular innovation, entrepreneurship and employment (2013): £4400
Research on Entrepreneurial Learning (2012): £2500
Employability in physical education, sport, exercise and coaching: The role of Higher Education institutions (2011): £2000
Kent 20in12 Research project: Learning Programme: Using the Olympic and Paralympic Games to Inspire Study Support and Extended Schools
Activity (2010): £500

Supervision

PhD/EdD supervisor to completion:

Tracey Wornast: Student Wellbeing in Higher Education (2015-2018)

PhD/EdD supervision:

Katerina Vackova: Working title: Fundamental British values in classroom practice of non-English teachers (2019-
Mr Adam Rowlinson: Utilising visual methods to critically examine teachers' perceptions of school performance measures. (2021-
Mr Luke Knightly-Jones: Research into the perceptions and impact of private tuition for the 11+ examinations in England. (2021-
Suzanna Sedeno: Working title: Support for families of pupils with Special Educational Needs (SEN) in non-specialised schools: personal perspectives(2019-

M.A. (Research) supervisor

Luke Jones: 11+Examinations-The-Impact-of-the-Private-Tuition-[Industry]-on-Social-Mobility (2021)

M.Ed. supervisor

Simon Mizzi (2010)
Alfred Cachia (2009)

MA Creativity and Innovation supervisor

Eman Pulis (2007)

Research Projects

“You gotta practise what you preach.” How non-English teachers conceptualise fundamental British values. Researcher(s): Ms Katerina Vackova. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Professor Lynn Revell. [Postgraduate Research Project]
A Critical Examination of Teachers' Perceptions of School Performance Measures. Researcher(s): Mr Adam Rowlinson. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr Ruth Rogers. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mrs Zeynep Taner. Supervisor(s): Professor Angela Pickard, Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mr David Stalley. Supervisor(s): Mrs Vikki Schulze, Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Dr Tracey Wornast. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr Ruth Rogers. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mrs Deborah Maindonald. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr Patricia Driscoll. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
Doctoral Research Project. Researcher(s): Mr George Revell. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr Kristy Howells. [Postgraduate Research Project (past)]
Doctoral Research Project. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Exploration of parental perceptions of Grammar Schools among Asian (Nepalese, Indian and Chinese) and white British ethnic communities in Kent.. Researcher(s): Mrs Sunita Lamsal Poudel. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Professor Thomas Hennessey. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Is there space to support children's socio-emotional wellbeing in primary school? Confronting a three headed monster of competing discourses regarding the role of the primary school teacher.. Researcher(s): Mrs Becca Page. Supervisor(s): Dr Marianna Papadopoulou, Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Kent 20in12 learning project: Olympic theme, challenges, records and personal bests. Researcher(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar. [Project report]
Research into the perceptions and impact of private tuition for the 11+ examinations in England. Researcher(s): Mr Luke Knightly-Jones. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr John-Paul Riordan. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Teachers' perceptions of autonomy in British primary academy schools. Researcher(s): Mrs Janet Dada. Supervisor(s): Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar, Dr John-Paul Riordan. [Postgraduate Research Project]
The readability of English textbooks used in the Algerian middle schools.. Researcher(s): Mrs Sarra Hadjeres. Supervisor(s): Dr Christian Beighton, Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar. [Postgraduate Research Project]
Thematic Network Project Aligning a European Higher Education Structure in Sport Science - Report of the First Year. [Project report]
Thematic Network Project Aligning a European Higher Education Structure in Sport Science - Report of the Second Year (01.10.2004- 30.9.2005). [Project report]

External Examiner:

University of Brighton: Masters in Research in Education (all Dissertations) (2019-2023)
Newman University Birmingham: PGCE Secondary PE/School Direct Secondary PE (2014-2018)
Edge Hill University PGCE (PE Secondary) (2010-2014)
International Baccalaureate (2013 to date)
University of Malta (Masters’ dissertations PE specialism) (2008 to 2015)
Plymouth Marjon University External (2023-2027) Foundation Degree level Award (FdA) Early Year & Foundation Degree level Award (FdA) Teaching and Learning

International and European Expert

Executive Board Member of European Network for Sport Science Education and Employment/ European Network for Sport Education (ENSSEE / ENSE) (2011- 2017; 2021- ).
Sport Physical Education and Coaching in Health (SPEACH) Project Partner (2015-2017) speach.hanze.nl
Physical Education Group expert lead on the European Network of Sport Education and Employment (2011-2015)
International Expert contributor for the UNESCO World-wide survey of school physical education: final report (2014)
International Expert: Physical Education Pedagogist at the AIESEP (International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education) 29-31 March 2012 Birmingham 2012 AIESEP Position Statement on Sport Pedagogy
Expertise and research on curricular innovation and assessment was instrumental to the introduction of the Secondary Education Certificate in PE (16+ qualification) in Malta in 2004, consequently I sat on the PE Syllabus panel of the MATSEC Exam Board of the University of Malta (1998-2008).
Board member on the National Sports for All Committee - Malta (1998-1999).
Board member on the National Sports Council - Malta (1995-1998).

International Conference Advisory Panel Member / Peer Reviewer

7th International Assessment in Higher Education Conference, 26-27 June 2019, Manchester (UK)
10th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies EDULEARN, 2-4 July 2018: (Palma, Mallorca, Spain); Member of the International Scientific Advisory Board and Abstract reviewer.
9th Annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies EDULEARN, 3-5 2017: (Barcelona, Spain)
8th Annual International Conference on Education and New Learning EDULEARN, 4-6 July 2016: (Barcelona, Spain)
13th Forum of the European Network of Sport Science Education and Employment (ENSSEE) Rome, Italy (2015)
12th European Network for Sport Science Education and Employment (ENSSEE) Forum: Sporthorizon 2020: share qualities towards innovative sport education”, Groningen, The Netherlands

International Key notes and conferences

Van Vuuren-Cassar, G. and Harvey, C. (2022) Undergraduate students’ perspective of summative and audio feedback. International Network of Assessment in Higher Education Conference, Manchester, UK. 22 June 2022.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2019) Insights into research-led interdisciplinary approach to teaching Sports related disciplines in Higher Education.3rd Faculty Annual Conference on Learning and Teaching Conference: Canterbury Christ Church University, 7th February 2019.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2019) Combined Honours: Social inhibition and belonging. 3rd Faculty Annual Conference on Learning and Teaching: Canterbury Christ Church University, 7th February 2019.

van Vuuren Cassar, G. (2018) Higher Education in Sports related disciplines: insights into teaching and research. 2^nd Forum of the Sport Universities, University of Leiria, Portugal. 5^th November 2018.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2018) The combined honours student experience survey data and the perceptions of staff and students, Advance HE Survey Conference, Leeds, UK. 9th May 2018.

van Vuuren Cassar, G. (2017) The Teaching Excellence Framework: using survey and other data to improve the “Assessment and Feedback” metric. High Impact Learning and Teaching Conference, Canterbury, 13^th Feb 2017.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2016) Curricular innovation: a case study of module development in HIgher Education: wearable technology, Edulearn 16: Conference Proceedings: 8th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain. 4-6 July, 2016, 7th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies. Barcelona.

Van Vuuren Cassar, G (2016) Curricular Innovation: A Case Study Of Developing Health Enhancing Physical Activity Modules In Physical Education - Coaches And Physical Education Teachers. 1^st Malta College of Arts Science and Technology (MCAST) Sports Conference, Poala, Malta, 15^th April 2016.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2015) Curricular innovation: a case study of developing health enhancing physical activity modules in physical education, ICERI 2015 : conference proceedings: 8th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, 18-20 November, 2015.

Van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2013) Curricular innovation in physical education sport and exercise sciences: entrepreneurship and employability. In: XII European Network for Sport Science Education and Employment (ENSSEE) Forum, 23-26th October 2013, Groningen, The Netherlands.

van Vuuren, W., Marian, I. and Van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2013) The IBM Universities Business Challenge: a review of entrepreneurial learning and employability skills development. In: The Role of Business Competitions, Challenges and Simulations for Nurturing Graduate Entrepreneurs, Enterprise Educators UK; 23rd April 2013, Canterbury Christ Church University Salomons Campus, Tunbridge Wells.

Van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2011) PE accreditation in higher education: channelling young people into sport related professions. In: 11th ENSSEE (European Network for Sport Science Education and Employment) Forum and 8th ICCE (Int Council for Coaching). INSEP: Institut National du Sport, de l'Expertise et de la Performance, Paris, 25-27 August 2011.

van Vuuren-Cassar, G. (2005) Higher education structures in physical education and sport, 1st Integration Meeting for the ten new EU member states on behalf of the European Network of Sport Science, Education and Employment (ENSSEE). Jozef Piłsudski Academy of Physical Education, Warsaw.

Assessment feedback: student and staff views on written and audio feedback Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Universities at Medway Learning and Teaching Conference 2024. [Conference paper]
Perceptions and experiences of youth footballers registered in nurseries (13-15) Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., 17th ENSE Forum: Bridging borders through sport education. [Conference poster]
Summative assessment feedback in higher education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Celebrating Women Researchers Conference. [Conference paper]
What feedback do students want? Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Assessment and Feedback Symposium 2024. [Conference paper]
Youth footballers (13-15) and the coach: Generation Z Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Cassar, J., Cassar, Z., (13 Feb 2025): Malta College of Arts, Science and Technology. [Journal article]
Student perspectives on audio feedback Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., AHE Conference 2022. [Conference paper]
Undergraduate student wellbeing: The lived experience in higher education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Wornast, T.. [Research report]
Audio-feedback trial in the School of Psychology and Life Sciences Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Harvey, C., CCCU Annual Learning and Teaching Conference. [Conference paper]
Combined Honours: Social inhibition and belonging. 3rd Faculty Annual Conference on Learning and Teaching and Scholarship Day: Canterbury Christ Church University, 7th February 2019 Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., McGee, D. [Conference paper]
Insights into research-led interdisciplinary approach to teaching Sports related disciplines in Higher Education.3rd Faculty Annual Conference on Learning and Teaching and Scholarship Day: Canterbury Christ Church University, 7th February 2019 Van Vuuren-Cassar, G.. [Conference paper]
Mind the gap: using multiple source survey data to challenge assumptions and inform practice Pratt, J., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Eyden, A., McGee, D., (09 May 2018), Advance HE Surveys Conference 2018. [Conference or workshop item]
The combined honours student experience survey data and the perceptions of staff and students Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Pratt, J., McGee, D., Eyden, A., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (09 May 2018), Advance HE Survey Conference. [Conference poster]
Developing health enhancing physical activity modules for higher and vocational education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., De Martelaer, K., Skovgaard, T., De Jong, J., (16 Nov 2017), 10th International Conference of Research and Innovation iCERI. [Conference or workshop item]
Assessment: policies and practice Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Carpenter, C., (10 Dec 2016), Exploring Children’s Learning 3 – 11 years: Routledge. [Book chapter]
Curricular innovation: a case study of module development in HIgher Education: wearable technology Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (2016), Edulearn 16: Conference Proceedings: 8th International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies, Barcelona, Spain. 4-6 July, 2016, 7th annual International Conference on Education and New Learning Technologies. Barcelona: IATED Academy. [Book chapter]
Curricular innovation: a case study of developing health enhancing physical activity modules in physical education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (2015), ICERI 2015 : conference proceedings: 8th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation, Seville, Spain, 18-20 November, 2015, 8th International Conference of Education, Research and Innovation. Valencia: IATED Academy. [Book chapter]
Entrepreneurial learning and the IBM Universities Business Challenge: an experiential learning perspective van Vuuren, W., Fearon, C., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Crayford, J., (2014), Handbook on the Entrepreneurial University. Cheltenham: Edward Elgar. [Book chapter]
Karen Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Swain, J., Rossato, C., Chatziefstathiou, D., (2014), Pedagogical Cases in Physical Education and Youth Sport: Routledge. [Book chapter]
Curricular innovation in physical education sport and exercise sciences: entrepreneurship and employability Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., XII European Network for Sport Science Education and Employment (ENSSEE) Forum. [Conference paper]
The IBM Universities Business Challenge: a review of entrepreneurial learning and employability skills development van Vuuren, W., Marian, I., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., The Role of Business Competitions, Challenges and Simulations for Nurturing Graduate Entrepreneurs. [Conference keynote]
AIESEP-Bham 2012 Position Statement: Sport (and Exercise) Pedagogy Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., AIESEP-International Association for Physical Education in Higher Education, (Jun 2012). Birmingham: University of Birmingham. [Report]
Assessments and qualifications in physical education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (May 2011), Contemporary Issues in Physical Education: International Perspectives. Maidenhead: Meyer and Meyer. [Book chapter]
Employability in physical education, sport, exercise and coaching: the role of higher education institutions Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Partners in Learning. [Conference poster]
PE accreditation in higher education: channelling young people into sport related professions Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., 11th ENSSEE (European network of Sport Science Education and Employment) Forum and 8th ICCE (International Council for Coach Education) Global Coach Conference ”Innovation and Practice”. [Conference paper]
Physical education and education through sport in Malta Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (Jun 2008), Physical Education and Sport Education in European Union. Paris: Editions Revue EP.S. [Book chapter]
L'education physique et l'education sportive dans Malte Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (2007), L'Education Physique et l'Education Sportive Dans l'Union Europeenne. Paris: Editions Revue EP.S. [Book chapter]
The assessment of athletics ‘knowledge’ with written and video tests Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Lamprianou, I., (Jun 2006). [Journal article]
Higher education structures in physical education and sport Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., 1st Integration Meeting for the ten new EU member states on behalf of the European Network of Sport Science, Education and Employment (ENSSEE).. [Conference paper]
Teaching and assessments of knowledge in athletics: which modes? Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Decelis, A., European Conference on Educational Research (ECER) 2005. [Conference paper]
The assessment of the performance coursework of GCSE and ‘A’ level physical education in the UK Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Carroll, B., (2003), Contemporary Issues in Educational Assessment: Proceedings of the Second International Conference, Malta, 18-22 March, 2002. Malta: MATSEC Examinations Board. [Book chapter]
Validation of written and video based assessment instruments in physical education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Lamprianou, I., (2003). [Journal article]
The teaching and assessment of the content and cognitive domains of two areas of physical activities for examined physical education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (2000). [PhD Thesis]
Introducing assessments and examinations in physical education (in Malta) Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., (1998). [Journal article]
Sports in schools Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Ministerial Committee for Sports in Schools. [Report]
Assessments and examinations in physical education Van Vuuren-Cassar, G.. [Masters Thesis]
The physical education curriculum Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Van Vuuren-Cassar, G., Ministerial Committee for the Development of Physical Education Curriculum and the Setting up of a National Sports Programme for School Children. [Report]

People search

Contact me

gemma.van-vuuren-cassar@canterbury.ac.uk

01227923144

Becket (Bf06), Canterbury

Follow me

Based in

Faculty of Science, Engineering and Social Sciences

School of Psychology and Life Sciences

Dr Gemma Van Vuuren-Cassar

Postgraduate Programmes Module Leader

Research Projects

Contact me

Follow me

Based in