Professor Debby Cotton

Major recent papers:

Cotton, D.R.E., Winter, J., Miller, W. and DallaValle, L. (2018) Is students’ energy literacy related to their university’s position in a sustainability ranking. Environmental Education Research. 24 (11): 1611-1626. Available online at: https://www.tandfonline.com/doi/abs/10.1080/13504622.2017.1395394?journalCode=ceer20 

Cotton, D.R.E., Miller, W. and Kneale, P. (2018) The Cinderella of academia: Is HE pedagogic research undervalued in UK research assessment? Studies in Higher Education.43(9): 1625-1636 Available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/full/10.1080/03075079.2016.1276549

Cotton, D.R.E. Nash, T. and Kneale, P. (2017) Supporting the retention of non-traditional students in Higher Education using a resilience framework. European Education Research Journal. 16 (1): 62-79 Available online at: http://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/1474904116652629  

Cotton, D.R.E, Shiel, C. and do Paco, A. (2016) Energy saving on campus: A comparison of students' attitudes and behaviours in the UK and Portugal. Journal of Cleaner Production 129: 586-595. Available online at: http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0959652616302098

Cotton, D.R.E, Miller, W., Winter, J. Bailey, I. & Sterling, S. (2016) Knowledge, agency and collective action as barriers to energy-saving behaviour. Local Environment. 21 (7): 883-897. Available online at: http://www.tandfonline.com/doi/pdf/10.1080/13549839.2015.1038986

Peer-reviewed conference papers:

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2018) Teaching about controversial sustainability issues in Chinese Universities. 4th World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U-2018), Penang, Malaysia August 28-30 2018.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2018) How can universities promote students’ energy literacy? 4th World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities (WSSD-U-2018), Penang, Malaysia August 28-30, 2018.

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2018) Hearing Different Voices: Teaching about Sustainability in Chinese Higher Education. The International Consortium for Educational Development (ICED). Atlanta, USA. 5-8 June, 2018.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2018) Student Course Representatives: Voice and Power. The International Consortium for Educational Development (ICED). Atlanta, USA. 5-8 June, 2018.

Kneale, P. Cotton, D. Turner, R. (2017) The Challenge of Transition, scaffolding the student experience. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) conference, Calgary,Canada.

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2017) Teaching about sustainability in Chinese Higher Education: Obedient autonomy and second-best solutions. World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada.

Cotton, D., Dalla Valle, L. Miller, W., Winter, J., Paco, A. and Shiel,C. (2017) Modelling sustainability through energy-saving on campus: Student perspectives from 8 universities in 3 countries. World Environmental Education Congress, Vancouver, Canada.

Morrison, D., Heffernan, T., Magne, P. and Cotton, D. (2017) Improving Home Student Internationalisation through Micro-Pedagogies. PedRIO conference, University of Plymouth

Winter, J., Cotton, D., Turner, R. and Huang, R. (2017) Plymouth– China pedagogic research links: developing opportunities.PedRIO conference, University of Plymouth.

Ackrill, R., Cotton, D., Winter, J. and Morgan, K. (2017) Pedagogic research, learning analytics and student data: Access, ethics and data protection. PedRIO conference, University of Plymouth.

Kneale, P.E., Turner R., Morrison, D., Cotton, D., Child, S.,Stevens, S. and Nash, P. (2017)  Building social networks and developing academic confidence with new students, Workshop, Association of National Teaching Fellows 12th Annual Conference. Birmingham,UK.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2016) Past,present and future of learning and teaching in Geography in HE Pedagogic Research in Geography Higher Education. JGHE Celebration of learning and teaching in HE. London, UK.

Cotton, D., Miller, W. and Kneale, P. (2016) (Under)Valuing HE pedagogic research? A UK Case Study. The Higher Education Conference, Amsterdam, Holland.

Turner R., Morrison, D., Cotton, D., Child, S., Harvey, C., Stevens, S. and Kneale, P.E. (2016) Evaluating a cross-institutional change programme: An ethnographic approach, The Higher Education Conference, Amsterdam, Holland.

Turner, R., Morrison, D., Cotton, D. and Nash, T. (2016) First impressions of Plymouth: insights gained through the first impressions survey of first year students. Paper presented at the 5th Annual PedRIO Conference, Plymouth University, UK, April

Turner, R., Morrison, D., Cotton, D. and Kneale, P. (2016) Interdisciplinarity and the first year curriculum: Realising the potential of Plymouth Plus. VC’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth, UK.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2016) International Perspectives on Sustainable Development in Business and Economics: Chinaand the UK. VC’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth, UK.

Morrison, D. and Cotton, D. (2016) Internalising the International: internationalization of the curriculum for Plymouth home-based students. VC’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth, UK.

Cotton, D., Miller, W. and Kneale, P. (2016) Pedagogic research and the REF: Issues and Impacts. PedRIO conference, Plymouth, UK.

Cotton, D. Winter, J., Miller, W. and Muneer, R. (2016) Students' energy literacy in UK Universities. Sustainable Earth Institute Conference, Plymouth, UK.

Kemp, S., Cotton, D. & Longhurst, J. (2015) Experiences of the development and use of a national quality enhancement guidance document on Education for Sustainable Development – lessons learnt from three UK universities. World Environmental Education Congress, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Winter, J., Cotton, D., Miller, W. and Muneer, R. (2015) Informal learning on campus: A comparative study of students’ energy literacy in UK universities. World Environmental Education Congress, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Cotton, D. (2015) Researching Sustainability in Higher Education. In Symposium on Diversity and quality in ESE research with Sund, P., Rieckmann, M., Nikel, J., Östman, L., Lysgaard,J.A., Lotz-Sisitka, H., Reid, A. and Wals, A. World Environmental Education Congress, Gothenburg, Sweden.

Shiel, C., Cotton, D. and do Paço, C., 2015. Education for sustainable development and campus greening: the impact on students’ energy saving attitudes and behaviours. In: International Institute of Social and Economic Sciences 17th International Academic Conference 21-24 June 2015,Vienna, Austria

do Paço, A., Shiel, C., Cotton, D. & Labrador, T. (2015) Does gender really matter when we are talking about energy saving attitudes and behaviours? 14th International Congress of IAPNM, Vitoria, Brazil.

Miller, W., Winter, J., Muneer, R. and Cotton, D. From individual to institution and back again: feedback loops in energy literacy amongst UK university students, ‘Learning From the Sharp End’: Implications for Sustainability in Higher Education, International Symposium, Bristol, UK, 6-9 September

Cotton, D. & Winter, J. (2015) “But I treat all students the same!” Raising awareness of unconscious bias in teaching and learning. SEDA Spring Conference, Manchester, UK.

Turner, R. Cotton, D., Child, S., Stevens, S. Kneale, P. (2015) Thrown in at the deep end? Immersive learning and first year induction. PedRIO Conference, Plymouth, UK.

Turner, R., Cotton, D., Hurth, V., Kelsey, J., Chick, A.,Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2015) Interactive pedagogies in the undergraduate curriculum: Some early CEP experiences. 13thVice-Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth University, UK, 26June

Cotton, D., Rieckmann, M. Wals, A., Barth, M., Shepherd, K. AndWinter, J. (2015) The role of higher education in the transition to asustainable future: Implications for teaching and learning. Symposium forEuropean Conference of educational Research (ECER), Budapest, Hungary.

Turner, R., Cotton, D., Child, S., Stevens, S., Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2015) Changing curriculum to prepare first year students for university-level study- reflecting on the experiences of academics. Paper presented as part of a themed symposium ‘Teachers Innovating in Higher Education Curricula’. European Educational Research Conference, Corvinus University of Budapest, 7-11 September.

Turner, R., Cotton, D., Child, S., Stevens, S., Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2015) Evaluating across-institutional change in the induction of first year students. Paper presented as part of a themed symposium ‘Evaluating as a basis for policy and practice in higher education’. European Educational Research Conference, Corvinus University, Budapest, Hungary, 7-11 September

Gresty, K., Fuller. M., Cotton, D. and Nash, P. (2015) Enhancing the postgraduate taught student experience. 13th Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth University, UK, 26 June

Cotton, D., Gresty, K., Fuller M. and Nash, P. (2015) The PEP Project: Exploring the expectations, barriers and experiences of PGT students. Plymouth University Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching and Learning Conference,Plymouth University, UK, 26 June

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2014) Developing partnerships with students around energy use: the role of energy literacy. American Association of Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE) Annual Conference. Portland Oregon USA.26-29 October.

Cotton, D., Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2014) Supporting the retention of non-traditional students in UK HE using a resilience framework. Part of a symposium on 'Non-traditional Students in HE: Academic integration and drop-out', at European Conference for Educational Research (ECER), Porto, Portugal.

Cotton, D., Shiel, C. Paco, A., Miller, W. and Winter, J. (2014) Energy literacy in HE students: A European comparative study.European Conference for Educational Research (ECER), Porto, Portugal.

Cotton, D., Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2014) Getting off to a good start: first impressions survey at Plymouth University. VC's Teaching and Learning conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Cotton, D. (2014) An online self-evaluation tool to support student retention. VC's Teaching and Learning conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Cotton, D., Nash, P. and Kneale, P. (2014) Strategic support for non-traditional students in higher education using a resilience framework. International Conference for educational Development (ICED). Stockholm, Sweden.

Cotton, D., Miller, W., Bailey, I., Winter, J. and Sterling, S. (2014) Does understanding matter? University students' energy-saving beliefs and behaviours. PedRIO conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Cotton, D., Kneale, P., Nash, P. and Lau, A. (2014) Students at risk: Why should we care? What should we do? PedRIO conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Miller, W. Cotton, D., Sterling, S., Bailey, I. and Winter, J. (2014) Energy Literacy at Plymouth University 2013. Copernicus Conference, University of Gloucester, UK.

Cotton, D., Kneale, P. and Nash, P. (2013) Exploring learner journeys and the National Scholarship Programme (NSP). Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Conference. Plymouth University, UK.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2013) Effective evaluation of small-scale projects. Forum for Access and Continuing Education (FACE) Conference. Plymouth University, UK.

Cotton, D., Kneale, P. and Nash, P. (2013) Teaching and Learning at Plymouth University: The first year experience. VC's Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Watton, P. , Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2013) Lessons learnt: Supporting the access agreement at Plymouth University.  VC's Teaching and Learning Conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Sterling, S., Cotton, D. and Ryan, A. (2013) The Sustainable University. World Environmental Education Congress, Marrakech, Morocco.

Cotton, D., Sterling, S., Winter, J., Bailey, I. and Miller, W. (2013) Energy Literacy in Higher education. World Environmental Education Congress, Marrakech, Morocco.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2013) Expanding Horizons: Opportunities around transformative education for sustainability. World Environmental Education Congress, Marrakech, Morocco.

Cotton, D. (2013) Using institutional data-sets for research: Ethical issues and data protection. SEDA Spring Conference. Leeds, UK.

Winter, J., Cotton, D., Sterlng, S., Lawson, H., Lumley, P. and Miller, W. (2013) Sustainability in HE: Campus, curriculum and student learning. PedRIO conference, Plymouth University, UK.

Winter, J. and Cotton, D. (2013) Learning development and sustainability: what are the links and how are they communicated? Tenth Annual Conference of the Association for Learning Development in Higher Education. 26-7 March. Plymouth University UK

Cotton, D., Winter,J. and Grant, V. (2012) Transformation, sustainability and HE.What's really going on? AASHE Conference. Los Angeles, US. October 14-17, 2012,

Cotton, D. & Joyner, M. (2012)The Attainment Gap in Higher Education: using research to enhance teaching and learning. The International Consortium of Educational Development (ICED). Bangkok, Thailand. 21-23 August 2012.

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2012) Transformative learning in sustainability: student and staff perspectives. The International Consortium of Educational Development (ICED). Bangkok, Thailand. 21-23 August 2012.

Winter,J. and Cotton, D. Embedding education for sustainability into academic practice.The International Consortium of Educational Development (ICED). Bangkok,Thailand. 21-23 August 2012.

Winter, J., Cotton, D. and Grant, V.(2012) Experiencing transformation in sustainability: A student perspective.The World Symposium on Sustainable Development at Universities. Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. 5-6 June 2012.

Winter, J., Cotton, D., and Grant, V. (2012) Sustainability and Transformation: a student perspective. The Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO) Conference. Plymouth University, UK.

Kneale, P., Cotton, D., Winter, J. and Lake, L. (2012) Changing 21st century teaching and learning: future proofing Plymouth University. The Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO) Conference. Plymouth University UK.

Winter, J., Cotton, D., and Grant, V. (2012) Culture, transformative learning and sustainability in Higher Education. The Eighth International Conference on Environmental, Cultural, Economic & Social Sustainability, Vancouver, Canada

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2011) Researching the Hidden Curriculum: intentional and unintended messages. The Annual International Conference of the RGS-IGB. London.

Cotton, D. & Winter, J. (2011) Sustainability and Transformation: Linking formal and informal learning in higher education. World Environmental Education Congress (WEEC), Brisbane, Australia.

Pan, W., Murray, P. & Cotton, D. (2011) Drivers, Barriers and Strategies for implementing Research-informed Teaching: A case study of the Environmental Building Discipline. International Conference on Engineering Education (ICEE), Belfast, UK.

Cotton, D., Joyner, M. & George, R. (2011) Explorations of Gender and the Student Experience. Gender and Education Conference, Exeter,UK

Cotton, D. and Winter, J. (2010) Transformative learning and sustainability: The impact of the ‘hidden curriculum. Society for Research in Higher Education (SRHE) Conference, Cardiff, Wales

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2010) Embedding Education for Sustainable Development in Academic Practice. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, Liverpool, UK

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2010) What does the campus teach students about sustainability? Sustainability and informal learning in a UK university. American Association for Sustainability in Higher Education (AASHE), Denver, US.

George, R., Cotton, D. and Joyner, M. (2010) Explorations of the BME student experience at a Regional University. Meeting the challenge: Improving black and minority ethnic student success and attainment Conference, Coventry, UK.

Winter,J. and Cotton, D. (2010) Enhancing staff scholarship through research informed teaching. International Consortium for Educational Development. Barcelona, Spain.

Winter,J. and Cotton, D. (2010) A sustainable campus? Students' perspectives of campus based sustainability in a UK case study. International Conference on Learning and Teaching, Temasek Polytechnic, Singapore.

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2009) The Impacts of Research Informed Teaching on Institutional Culture: A UK Case Study. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference,Bloomington, Indiana, US.

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2009) The research-teaching nexus in an era of mass higher education. Society for Research in Higher Education (SRHE) Conference, Cardiff, Wales.

Cotton, D. & Winter, J. (2009) Sustainability Pedagogies: Prospects and Problems. HEA Conference, University of Manchester, UK.

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2009) Understanding Research Informed Teaching: Impacts and Implications of the TQEF Scheme. HEA Conference, University of Manchester, UK.

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2009) Digital distractions: Rethinking the benefits of multitasking in online environments. HEA Conference,University of Manchester, UK.

Cotton, D., Winter, J., Gavin, J. & Yorke, J. (2009) Boundary Management in E-learning: A student perspective. Association for Learning Technology Conference (ALT-C), University of Manchester, UK.

Winter, J., Cotton, D., Gavin, J. and Yorke, J. (2009) Multi-tasking and the development of e-learning: Just a distraction?PlymouthE-learning Conference, University of Plymouth, UK.

Cotton, D., Bissell, S., Bailey, I. & Warren, M. (2008) Sustainability in Higher Education: the search for a 'second best' solution. All our Futures Conference, University of Plymouth, UK.

Gray-Donald, J., Bailey, I., Bissell, S., Cotton, D., Kagawa, F., Warren, M.& Maibouroda, O. (2007) Understandings, attitudes and experiences of ESD: Results of Research at the University of Plymouth and an invitation to an international research project. Sustainability Conference, University of Madras, Chennai, India.

Gavin, J., Yorke, J. & Cotton, D. (2007) Online asynchronous discussions: What are students learning? Higher Education Academy Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK.

Bissell, S., Cotton, D., Warren, M., Bailey, I. and Maibouroda, O. (2006) Transforming an Institution: Integrating Sustainable Development into Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching & Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, Washington, US.

Cotton, D. and Yorke, J. (2006) Analysing online discussions: What are students learning? Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (ASCILITE) Conference, Sydney, Australia.

Warren,M., Cotton,D., Maibouroda, O., Bailey, I. and Bissell, S. (2006) Embedding an Ethical Issue in the Curriculum: Lecturers and the Sustainabilty Agenda. 8th European Conference on Higher Agricultural Education (ECHAE), Czech University of Agriculture, Prague.

Warren, M., Kagawa, F., Cotton, D., Bailey, I., Maibouroda, O., and Bissell, S.(2006) Using research to inform institutional change.The VC's Learning and Teaching Conference, University of Plymouth, UK.

Cotton, D. & Gresty, K. (2005) Research in E-learning: How can it be improved? Higher Education Academy Annual Conference, Herriott-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.

Gresty, K. & Cotton, D. (2005) Exploring students' experience of online learning using the think-aloud method. SRHE Conference, Edinburgh University, UK

Nash, P., Cotton, D.R.E., Gresty, K. and Fuller, M. (2015):Postgraduate Experience Project Report for Plymouth University (Technical report) Available from: http://www.researchgate.net/publication/281859647_Postgraduate_Experience_Project_Report_for_Plymouth_University?channel=doi&linkId=55fbf57308ae07629e07ca41&showFulltext=trueDOI: 10.13140/RG.2.1.3971.3761

Winter, J. Chapman, S. and Cotton, D. (2014) Using a contemporary art gallery to communicate sustainability. American Association of Sustainability in Higher Education. Annual Conference. Portland Oregon USA.26-29 October. (poster)

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. The Research–Teaching Nexus: A Vehicle for Enterprise? International Society for the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning (ISSOTL) Conference, Liverpool, UK (poster)

Cotton, D., George, R., and Joyner, M. (2010) Exploring the influence of the student experience on gender and ethnicity attainment gaps. Promoting Equity in Higher Education, Nottingham, January 27-28, 2010. (poster)

Winter, J., Cotton, D. and Dyer, A. (2010) A sustainable campus: students' perspectives of campus based learning. The Vice Chancellor's Teaching and Learning Conference. University of Plymouth. 30th June 2010.(poster)

Winter, J. & Cotton, D. (2009) An investigation of the impacts of the cross-university'research-informed teaching' initiative at the University of Plymouth, 2007-2010.

Cotton, D.R.E. (2008) Book Review: Contemporary perspectives in e-learning research.Studies in Higher Education 33 (1): 105-106.

Cotton, D., Murrall, S. & Vranch, A. (2007) 2nd Internal Evaluation Report. Education for Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Plymouth.

Gresty, K. & Cotton, D. (2006) Using a think-aloud protocol toevaluate an on-line resource for nursing students (HEA Health Sciences and Practice mini-project report). Available via: http://www.health.heacademy.ac.uk/projects/miniprojects/gresty.pdf 

Cotton, D., Murrall, S., Newstead, S. & Vranch, A. (2006) Internal Evaluation Report. Education for Sustainable Development Centre of Excellence in Teaching and Learning, University of Plymouth.

Cotton, D.R.E. (2005) Book review: Rhetoric and educational discourse: persuasive texts? Studies in Higher Education 30 (3): 362-364.

Fowler-Braund, P. & Cotton, D. (2002) Learning and Teaching in Higher Education: A Survey of Research and Development Work at the University of Plymouth. (EDaLT Project Report)