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Right: Hilary with Portuguese hosts


Below: Professor Hilary Cooper Hilary’s academic expertise


During 2010 she addressed conferences in Cyprus, Russia and Istanbul as well as closer to home in Belfast, organised a conference in New York and was invited to join a selection board to appoint a new professor at the University of Minho in Portugal. This year’s schedule takes her even further afield to three major events in Australia—in Melbourne, Sidney and Brisbane.


Hilary’s lectures are valued both for her wide- ranging experience in a variety of primary schools and for her academic research into the best way to actively engage children in the process of historical enquiry. “It’s hard to believe, but you can now train to teach in a primary school without having to have done any history at school or on your course and often it’s being taught in a way that cannot be described as exciting or inspiring,” she explains. Professor Cooper does have a suggestion however. “Where teachers have the freedom to combine subjects, for example maths and history, the richness and


in demand worldwide As an expert on history education, Professor Hilary Cooper flies the world in response to the demand for her to share her knowledge and experience with fellow education professionals.


value of both areas can be appreciated. Children might look at a Stone Age bow and arrow, for example: how far can you shoot it; does it make a difference if you shoot from a slope or with a wind? With interdisciplinary treatment such as this, the topics really come alive and the children are engaged.”


Although her hectic lecturing timetable inevitably leads to a lot of time spent in airport departure lounges, Hilary’s passion for her subject and eagerness to share her experience keep her sane. And as she prepares for her spring 2011 series of Australian lectures, starting in Brisbane in April, she’s philosophical: “Working together and exchanging ideas with like-minded professionals is what keeps education topical, relevant and dynamic,” she says, “and since it ultimately affects the future of children throughout the world, what could be more rewarding?”


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