About IET

Since IET was established in 1970 we have been central to The Open University’s mission to be the world leader in researching, innovating and delivering supported, open and distance learning. Since then we have contributed to research across many significant developments within education, driving understanding of how innovative technology can support learning, teaching and assessment. Explore our research programmes which focus on distinct areas of innovation taking place in IET.

As we operate within the OU, our academics have the capability to drive leading research through IET alongside teaching at the largest academic institution in the UK. This has allowed us to build a rich history of world-leading educational research, working with some of the pioneers in educational technology, open learning and many other areas of innovative pedagogy. Resultantly, there are a number of affiliated groups, teams and research areas associated to IET.

The history of IET covers our leadership in the most ground-breaking developments within educational technology including developments in computer-based learning, digital learning and remote learning. This has allowed us to support the advancements of The Open University, establishing how distance teaching and learning can be successful across all levels of education. More recently we have contributed research to mainstream topics such as open learning, virtually augmented reality learning and distance learning during the Covid-19 pandemic and new normal. 

In July 2020 Denise Whitelock was appointed as the new Director of IET, developing from her background of over twenty years’ experience in designing, researching and evaluating online and computer-based learning in Higher Education. Denise leads IET’s research and development strategy, responsible for academic and administrative management, planning and delivery.

IET Senior Leadership Team

The Senior Leadership Team is a group consisting of senior leaders from across IET. The role of this leadership team is to provide strategic and operational support to the Director of IET, and assist with the planning activities to ensure that the business of IET is shared, discussed and consulted upon.

Membership

Director IET, Professor Denise Whitelock

Professor Denise Whitelock is responsible for providing strategic leadership to IET and is a member of the University Senior Team. She is involved in the research and development required by the University to feed into and evaluate policy, provide advice and promote an evidence-based approach for learning, teaching and scholarship. Denise is responsible for the development of IET’s internationally recognised research portfolio and cultivating innovation that builds on research and scholarship.

Associate Director of Research and Innovation, Professor Eileen Scanlon

Regius Professor Eileen Scanlon is responsible for developing and implementing the research portfolio in IET.

Associate Director of Quality Enhancement and Innovation, Professor Christothea Herodotou

Professor Christothea Herodotou is responsible for implementing the Quality Enhancement and Innovation (QEI) Programme in IET. The QEI programme conducts large-scale interdisciplinary research and evaluation across the four university faculties, with the aim to improve the quality of teaching, learning and assessment at the Open University and ensure its leading role in delivering high quality, innovative, open and distance education.

Associate Director of Curriculum, Dr Leigh-Anne Perryman

Dr Leigh-Anne Perryman is responsible for leading the academic development of IET’s postgraduate curriculum. She leads IET’s curriculum team, which is responsible for the conceptualisation, development and delivery of IET’s Masters in Online Teaching Postgraduate Certificate in Online Teaching, and our modules and microcredentials. She also has overarching responsibility for the Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP) and for the Applaud accreditation scheme.

Associate Director, Strategy, Business Planning and Operations, Natalia Kiran

Natalia has been at the University for over 8 years undertaking a variety of senior management roles and responsibilities in the Faculty of Business and Law and Academic Services. Natalia joined IET in December 2019 as Associate Director of Strategy, Planning and Operations and is responsible for leading the cross-institute activities of strategy, business planning, communication, financial and resource management. She undertakes a pivotal role of aligning and managing resources to underpin the IET Strategy, as well as enabling timely and effective decision making which allows IET to respond to changing priorities and opportunities. 

Natalia is an integral member of the IET Senior Leadership Team, working closely with the IET Director, senior colleagues in IET and across the University. Natalia also provides strategic and operational leadership to the IET Professional Services activities across five multi-disciplinary teams. She provides operational direction and line management to the IET senior managers to ensure that the IET Professional Services activities are fulfilled efficiently and confidently to enable success of the IET business delivery.