Professor Ronald Elder

Park Place 1973

Joined Dundee College of Education as a Maths Lecturer in 1973. Dundee College of Education was linked to Dundee University at that time and was located in Park Place.

Gardyne Road 1976

In 1976 the College moved to the new building in Gardyne Rd. There were well over 1,400 full time students on Primary, Secondary, Social Work & Community Education courses at that time. In 1980 I became Director of Primary Education.

Northern College 1987

I led the College into the formation of Northern College in 1987 which saw Dundee and Aberdeen Colleges merged into one entity. Appointed Head of Primary Development in Northern College.

The new College operated on the two Campuses and developed a strong in-service portfolio of courses throughout the North of Scotland which meant many trips throughout Scotland including the Scottish Island Communities.

Throughout the 80s my publications were mainly concerned with mathematics education. After taking a research degree at Stirling University I spent the next 20 years heavily involved in research into many aspects of teacher education. These ranged from “How children learned from computers” in 1979 to “Forms of Assessment in Teacher Education” in 1996

In 1993 I was awarded the Chair of Education and became Vice-Principal of Northern College in 1997.

Mergers with the Universities of Dundee and Aberdeen in 2000

2000 saw the merger of the Aberdeen Campus of Northern College with Aberdeen University and the Dundee Campus with the University of Dundee. These were interesting political and educational times and I was closely involved with both mergers. After the establishment of the Faculty of Education and Social Work at the University of Dundee I became Dean of the Faculty and Depute - Principal of the University.

The University of Dundee 2000

During the next 4 years I continued my External Examining work and carried out many Validation and Quality assurance duties throughout the UK.

I convened the Scottish Teachers Education Committee, which, among other things, dealt with teacher supply numbers. I represented the Scottish Universities on the General Teaching Council for Scotland.

I enjoyed developing the New Faculty, promoting its research profile and took a key role in ensuring that the Dalhousie Building was funded and built.

From 2002 - 2015 I convened the George D Gray MBE Award Committee, which each year, selects the best education thesis from all the Scottish Universities.

I retired in 2004 to travel, play golf and run my Jazz Club

Education (Academic and Professional Qualifications):

1966 Diploma in Technical Education, Dundee College of Education

1967 PGCE(P), Dundee College of Education

1979 BA (Mathematics), Open University

1980 MEd (Research), Stirling University