Mrs Christine Gardner
Honorary Associate
School of Computing & Communications
Biography
Christine Gardner is an experienced academic and higher education professional at The Open University, with a demonstrated history of teaching, learning, research, and academic development. Throughout her career, Christine has developed a broad range of expertise in e-learning, research design, apprenticeships, Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL), educational technology, and the effective use of social media within education.
She is passionate about creating inclusive, engaging, and accessible learning experiences to enhance teaching, learning, and student engagement. Her her work with apprenticeships and RPEL reflects a commitment to recognising diverse routes into higher education and valuing learners’ existing knowledge and experience.
Christine brings a combination of academic knowledge, practical experience, and a student-focused approach to her work, supporting learners and colleagues within a continually evolving higher education environment. As a strong education professional and graduate of The Open University, she has a particular appreciation of the transformative opportunities that flexible and distance learning can provide and is committed to contributing to the continued development of innovative and inclusive higher education.
Publications
Journal Article
Gardner, C., Jones, A., & Jefferis, H. (2020). Analytics for Tracking Student Engagement. Journal of Interactive Media in Education, 2020(1), 22.
Presentation / Conference Contribution
Dunn, C., Bloomfield, S., Gardner, C., Golding, T., & Vossler, A. (2026, May 14). RPEL in practice: Valuing learning beyond the classroom. SCiLAB Collaborative seminar series.
Dunn, C., Gardner, C., Bloomfield, S., Golding, T., & Vossler, A. (2025, June 16-18). Workshop: Understanding the challenges and barriers to the recognition of prior experiential learning. Universities Association for Lifelong Learning (UALL) 2025.
Bowkis, M., Gardner, C., & Lansbury, A. (2024, June 26-27). Early Start for project students. Horizons in STEM 2024.
Gardner, C. (2024, June 26-27). The Promise, Pedagogy and Practice of Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) on Entry to Degree Apprenticeship Programmes. Horizons in STEM 2024.
Bowkis, M., Gardner, C., & Lansbury, A. (2023, April 19-20). Early Start for TM470 project students. The 12th eSTEeM Annual Conference: Enabling Student Success – Expanding Engagement in Scholarship.
Gardner, C. (2022, October 19-21). Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) on Entry to UK Degree Apprenticeship Programmes: Potential and Problems. EADTU Innovating Higher Education Conference 2022.
Gardner, C. (2022, June 29-30). Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) on Entry to STEM Degree Apprenticeship Programmes: Challenges and Opportunities. Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy.
Reed, A., & Gardner, C. (2021, June 17). Enhancing the Cyber Security Curriculum Through Experiential Learning. Cyber Security Education Workshop 2021.
Conway, D., Gardner, C., & Hughes, J. (2021, April 21-23). Are virtual insight visits an effective way of engaging learners?. AMPS Online Education: Teaching in a Time of Change.
Gardner, C., Jefferis, H., & Jones, A. (2019, October 16-18). Analytics for tracking student engagement. OOFHEC2019: the Online, Open and Flexible Higher Education Conference.
Kouadri Mostéfaoui, S., & Gardner, C. (2019, January 30-31). Supporting Degree Apprenticeship students: Tutors’ and Students’ perspectives. Advance HE STEM Conference 2019, Delivering Next Generation Higher Education in STEM.
Gardner, C. (2014, October 27-28). Evaluating web connectivity for adult distance learners – Facebook or forums?. Eighth EDEN Research Workshop - EDENRW8.
Shield, L., & Gardner, C. (2013, June 12-15). Simulating inclusivity, broadening perspectives. EDEN 2013 Annual Conference 'The joy of learning'.
Thesis
Gardner, C. (2026). Perspectives on the Promise, Pedagogy and Practice of Recognition of Prior Experiential Learning (RPEL) on Entry to Degree Apprenticeship Programmes: a Case Study [edd thesis, The Open University (OU)].
