Alistair Hamill

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

SKILLS

ABOUT ALISTAIR HAMILL

It was 32 years ago that I first stepped into a classroom to teach geography as a young, enthusiastic and unashamedly geeky geography teacher. In the decades since, I\'ve seen many changes, but my core love of the unique classroom dynamic has never diminished. I have dedicated my entire career to reflecting deeply on geography, pedagogy, and curriculum, always seeking new ways to inspire my pupils with their own passion for the subject.As Head of Geography, my work has been recognised with the Royal Geographical Society\'s Ordnance Survey Award in 2022 and the Geographical Association\'s Excellence in Geography Leadership Award in 2024. I focus especially on plate tectonics and myth-busting, contributing numerous journal articles for the GA and RGS to support geography teachers.As a GIS advocate, I integrate geospatial technologies extensively into classroom teaching. My innovative use of GIS to foster peace and reconciliation in Northern Ireland led to a mainstage presentation at the Esri User Conference in 2019. Additionally, I received the Edtech50 UK Award in 2021 for my broader use of technology to enhance teaching and learning.In Lurgan, I lead shared education initiatives, bringing together Protestant and Catholic young people in a divided town and supporting peace building in the town.I am part of the Senior Leadership Team for Teaching and Learning, holding a PQH qualification. My leadership extends to evidence-based pedagogy and curriculum development. I also lead the Teaching and Learning group within the Craigavon Area Learning Community (CALC), a collaboration of 13 secondary schools.A frequent public speaker, I present on various topics, including geography, pedagogy, and curriculum. My speaking engagements span Northern Ireland, including with Area Learning Communities and local universities, as well as England, featuring at GA conferences, teachmeets, and the Earth Science Summer School. Internationally, I have presented at an Erasmus+ event in Belgium on using GIS to teach climate change.I am the author of numerous journal articles and three textbooks, with a forthcoming book,\"Geography Teacher Hacks,\" for John Catt. I also create visualisations related to geography teaching, specialising in graphics for plate tectonics.My consultancy work with the CCEA in Northern Ireland and other UK exam boards focuses on curriculum planning and sustainability education. I am particularly interested in integrating geospatial technologies into geography teaching and am open to further consultancy opportunities.