Dr Nicoleta Gaciu

PhD, MPhil, MSc, BSC, MInstP

Senior Lecturer in Education

School of Education, Humanities and Languages

ngaciu@brookes.ac.uk

Role

Nicoleta is an active researcher and she has considerable experience in research methods, theoretical Physics, numerical simulations and tutoring various disciplines (Education, Physics, Mathematics, Computing, and Statistics) in universities throughout the UK and Europe. For more than two years, she has worked as a consultant, helping students and professionals with research design and data analysis. After her PhD, she was a Senior Research Fellow at Ashridge Leadership Centre investigating the applications of Physics to Leadership and organizational design. Prior to this, she has taught for many years in both primary and secondary schools. She was also Head of Teaching and Learning Committee and responsible for Continuous Professional Development for primary and secondary teachers.

Teaching and supervision

Modules taught

Researching the 'Real' World: Positivism
Advanced Research Methods
Research2: Methods
Chaos Theory
Mind and Brain
Research Methods in Childhood and Education
Dissertation
Developing Reflective and Critical Practice
Research Informed Practice

Module leader

Research2: Methods
Research Methods in Education
Dissertation
Mind and Brain
The Reflective Learner

Modules taught

Advanced Research Methods in Education (EdD)
Contemporary Issues in Education (PGCE Secondary)
Physics and Mathematics (PGCE Physics with Maths)
Subject studies (PGCE Secondary Science)

Supervision

Academic supervisor for BA, MA, EdD and PhD research students
International student academic advisor

Research

Research interests: research methods in education, physics and leadership, meta-cognition, learning and teaching strategies, science education, creativity, assessment in HE, statistics with R

Research group membership

Nicoleta is a member of the Institute of Physics (MInstP), Fellow of Higher Education Academy (FHEA), BERA full Member

Groups

Science, Technology, Engineering, Art & Mathematics (STEAM) Research Group

Publications

Journal articles

Gaciu N, Dalzell L, Davis J, Diamond A, Howard S, 'Trainee Teachers’ Reflections on Approaches to Enhance their Subject Knowledge in Physics and Mathematics'
Teacher Education Advancement Network Journal 9 (1) (2017) pp.36-44

ISSN: 2054-5266
Abstract Open Access on RADAR
Gaciu N, 'Mapping Metacognition, Lesson Planning and Reflection for Teaching and Learning'
International Journal for 21st Century Education 2 (1) (2015) pp.61-68

ISSN: 2444-3921
Abstract Published here
Crisan V, Popescu V, Vernes V, Andreica D, Cristea S, Gaciu N and Graur M, 'Band Effects in Magnetostrictive Properties of the Y2Fe17 Compound'
physica status solidi (b) – basic solid state physics (1995)

ISSN: 0370-1972
Published here

Books

Gaciu N, Understanding Quantitative Data in Educational Research, SAGE (2020)

ISBN: 9781473982147 eISBN: 9781529743913
Abstract Published here
Keller G, Gaciu N, Statistics for Management and Economics, 2nd Edition, Cengage (2020)

ISBN: 9781473768260
Abstract Published here
Keller G, Gaciu N, Statistics for Management and Economics, Cengage Learning EMEA (2019)

ISBN: 9781473768260
Gaciu N, Keller G, Managerial Statistics, Cengage Learning EMA (2015)

ISBN: 978-1-4737-0480-0
Abstract Published here
Gaciu N, Spatio-Temporal Dynamics of Bio and Optoelectronic Systems: Control and analysis of molecular motors and semiconductor laser dynamics, LAP Lambert Academic Publishing (2010)

ISBN: 3838331648

Book chapters

McGregor D, Gaciu N, 'Creativity in teaching science' in ASE Guide to Secondary Science Education, The Association for Science Education (2018)

ISBN: 9780863574580
Gaciu N, Gehrig E and Hess O, 'Control of Broad-Area Laser Dynamics with Delayed Optical Feedback' in Handbook of Chaos Control, Wiley-VCH Verlag GmbH & Co. KGaA (2007)

ISBN: 9783527406050
Published here

Conference papers

Gaciu N, Gehrig E and Hess O, 'High-speed modulation dynamics of twin-stripe lasers'
(2004)

Published here
Gehrig E, Gaciu N, Pessa M and Hess O, 'High-frequency modulation of twin-stripe semiconductor lasers'
(2003)

Published here

Professional information

Memberships of professional bodies

Reviewer for the International Journal of Social Research Methodology
Reviewer for the British Educational Research Journal
Convenor for BERA Science Education Special Interest Group

Conferences

Gaciu, N. (2018) Using Online Software to Enhance Feedback, Interactivity and Greater Student Participation, the 20th Annual International Conference on Education and the 14th Annual International Conference on Information Technology & Computer Science, Athens Institute for Education and Research, Greece
Gaciu, N. (2018) Using Lino and Padlet to enhance feedback and student engagement, Higher Education Annual Conference – Teaching in the Spotlight, 3 July 2018, Birmingham
Gaciu, N. (2017) Oral examinations during the course of doctoral studies - developing more reliable and valid assessment techniques, BERA Conference, Brighton 5-7 September 2017
Gaciu, N. and Aldridge, D. (2016) A Genealogy of Dualistic Ideas in Research Methods Textbooks, BERA Conference, Leeds 12-15 September
Gaciu, N. (2015) Mapping metacognition, lesson planning and reflection for teaching and learning, International Conference ‘Education and Development Cooperation’, University of Cordoba, Spain
Gaciu, N. (2013) Exploring metacognitive strategies through MetaCS maps, Oxford Education Research Symposium, University Church of St Mary, Oxford
Gaciu, N. (2012) Enhancing the trainee teachers’ learning and teaching Physics through metacognitive strategies, Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Milano
Gaciu, N. (2012) On the same wavelength: Physics and Leadership, School of Education, Oxford Brookes University, Oxford
Gaciu, N. (2007) Invited talk: Physics and Leadership, International Leadership Conference, Ashridge
Gaciu,N., Gehrig,E. and Hess, O. (2003) High-speed modulation properties of segmented contact semiconductor lasers, Deutschen Physikalishen Gesellschaft, Dresden, Germany
Crisan,V., Popescu, V., Vernes, A., Andreica, D., Cristea, S., Buda, I. and Gaciu, N. (1994) Electronic States in Y2Fe17Cx, Poster Session, Conference on Balkan Physical Union, Izmir,Turkey
Gaciu, N. (2000) Information Technology in teaching and learning 10th National Symposium, Babes-Bolyai University, Cluj-Napoca

Further details

Academic qualifications

PhD in Physics (University of Surrey)
Postgraduate Certificate in Teaching in Higher Education (PCTHE) (Oxford Centre for Staff and Learning Development)
MPhil in Physics (University of Surrey)
MSc in Physics (University of Stuttgart)
BSc in Physics (Babes-Bolyai University)

Erasmus

Between 2012 and 2014 I was actively involved with my colleagues from Bordeaux University, Universidad de Córdoba, University de Nantes, and Pädagogische Hochschule Salzburg in the Erasmus programme TTIMS (Teacher Training in Multicultural Settings)