Dr Zoë Elder is an independent researcher and education consultant, working across education, the arts and the humanities.
She spent over 30 years in the education, local government and research sector. She began as a classroom teacher and went on to lead education, research and innovation projects and programmes in schools, local authorities, multi academy trusts and awarding organisations. Her PhD explored how organisations and systems learn and change.
At the heart of her practice, Zoë turns theoretical models and concepts into practical 3D models to allow users to articulate and build complex, relational systems so that they are visible and explorable. She is developing these models to have multiple applications for relational evaluation, creative real-time impact capture methods, co-design tools and resources for interdisciplinary projects and as templates and infrastructure for portable learning and engagement profiles.
She works in partnership with creative digital heritage organisations, creative practitioners, academics and researchers. She is part of the NCACE Lightbox Programme, a national community of arts practitioners, academics and researchers and a member of the British Academy Early Career Researcher Network.
At The Studio, Zoë is building immersive and interactive versions of the model. She is keen to test it with others. She is happy to share her expertise in pedagogical innovation, curriculum and engagement design, participatory evaluation, research design and collaborative learning.