Richard Holme is a Reader in Education Studies and teaches on a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate programmes. He is the Professional Development and Scholarship Lead for School of Humanities Social Science and Law. His areas of teaching specialism include professional development, primary education, STEM subject areas, and educational innovation. Richard's main area of research interest is teacher professional learning and development specifically focussing on grassroots professional development, with his doctoral research thesis investigating the topic of grassroots or teacher-led professional development.

Richard is the founding co-editor of Journal of Social Science Student Research (JOSSSR). He is an Executive Committee member of the Teacher Education Advancement Network (TEAN), Director and Trustee of the Scottish Schools Education Research Centre (SSERC), and member of the Continuing Professional Development Forum for the Universities’ Council for Teacher Education (UCET).

Richard’s professional background was predominantly within school-based education and during this time he taught mainly in the primary sector. Prior to working as a class teacher, he worked supporting children with ASD and communication support needs within mainstream secondary education. Whilst teaching Richard completed his Masters’ degree in Education, with a thesis specialising in teachers' perceptions to approaches to behavioural management.

Prior to a career in education Richard worked in food manufacturing and supply chain management, with multinational companies Unilever and PepsiCo. He also managed a large European Union funded project supporting workforce development in the food manufacturing sector. Outside of work he is interested in issues relating to the environment and sustainability and outdoor pursuits, including open-water swimming.

Richard currently teaches on the MA Primary Education, PGDE, and MEd Education programmes, and supervises MEd, Professional Doctorate, and PhD projects.