Dr Christopher Kubiak

Professional biography

I am a senior lecturer in health and social care and the co-director of The Open University's Assessmet Programme. I have a  particular interest in the construction of practice, practice-based learning, pedagogy and care.  I originally trained in community psychology in New Zealand.  My career has included services for people with intellectual and psychiatric disabilities,  volunteer-run telephone counselling and advice services and lecturing in psychology and communication studies.  I have been a full time researcher researching school-based learning networks and have also run an education and advocacy service.   I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Arts for Health Milton Keynes and have served as Lead Assessor for the Office for Students (2024).

Leadership

As the Co-Director for The Open University's Assessment, I lead developmental thinking around assessment policy, design and delivery across the university.  Between 2016-2021, I was the Associate Head of School (Learning, Teaching and Innovation) in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care.  Previously, I lead the development of the suite of Transforming Care short courses in the School of Health, Wellbeing and Social Care. 

Teaching interests

I currently lead K102 Introducing Health and Social Care. Past teaching roles include:

- 2022-2024: Academic Lead for the development of short courses in HWSC

- 2015-16: K242 'Ageing Societies and Global Health' (course team author)

- 2015-16: K240 'Mental Health and Community' (course team author)

- 2013-14: K101 'Introduction to Health and Social Care' (production and presentation co-chair)

- 2013: K313 'Leadership and management in health and social care' (course team author)

- 2012-2013: Academic Lead for Transforming Care programme.

- 2008-2011: K217 'Adult Health, Social Care and Wellbeing' (production and presentation co-chair).

- 2007-2008: K309 'Communication in Health and Social Care' (presentation course team member).

- 2006-2007: The Youth Justice Foundation Degree including K115 'Introduction to Youth Justice (course team author).

- 2004 - 2006: The Foundation Degree in Health and Social Care including K114 'Introduction to Effective Practice (production chair) and programme academic lead.

Research interests

My main interests lie in understanding practice-based learning in health and social care and in other settings.  My work focuses on learning in work-based settings, learning networks, non-formal settings and educational institutions.  I'm particularly interested in the learning and practice of groups outside of what has traditionally been referred to as the professions such as care workers and assistants.  I also have interests in pedagogy and brokerage in learning communities or networks. Recent work has included medical simulation and forms of peer learning in later life.

Current research projects

Learning Journeys for carers (with Mary Larkin and Nichola Kentzer) investigates the impact of study clubs in carer centres. 

An evaluation of simulated patient with Sepsis (with Tim Coughlan, Sharif Haider and Goggleminds) is evaluting the educational effectiveness of a simulated patient in a virtual reality.

Doctoral students

I am currently supervising two doctoral students: Ralph Spijker (value creation in time limited educational design groups), Karen Storey (Constructive Feedback for Student Nurses) and Ceinwen Gwilym (the active offer and Social Work students in Wales).

Past projects

Home Focus Evaluation (2015-17)

With Josie Teteley (MMU), Caroline Holland (OU), Emma Kouvunen (MMU) and Jenny Fisher (MMU).  An evalaution of a dementia service conducted in partnership with Manchester Metroplitan University.

Understanding support worker learning (2012-2014)

‘Understanding Support Worker Learning’ was a PhD project aiming to understand how skilled and caring practice is developed. The project takes a broad view of learning and will investigate how different experiences past and present, in and out of work, personal motivations and organisational needs build support worker practice. An aspect of this project was supported by the Practice-Based Professional Learning Centre at the Open University.

Understanding Student Learning in Practice settings (2006 - 2007)
With Anita Rogers, Anthea Wilson and Annie Turner, This project investigated the practice development of paraprofessional workers in health and social care through the vocational foundation degree (FD). It focused on the way in which practice development is constituted by workplace conditions, home life and student characteristics.  Read the project summary.

ReTool project (2005 - 2006)
With Mary Thorpe (PI), Bob McCormick (PI) and Robin Goodfellow, this project was an evaluation of the the National College of School Leadership's online community Talk2Learn.  The project resulted in the creation of a toolkit to support the work of Facilitators.

Networked Learning Communities (2003 - 2004)
I was employed as a researcher with this development and research project focused on supporting and building an understanding of school-based networked learning communities throughout England.  You can learn more about this project by accessing its comprehensive website.

Other involvements
I am a member of the editorial board for Health and Social Care in the Community and Confero. I'm Reviews Editor for Open Learning: The Journal of Open, Distance and e-Learning.

Pas involvements have included membership of the editorial board for Learning in Health and Social Care.