St MAry’s University Twickenham | United Kingdom
Dr. Helen Thouless is a Senior Lecturer in Primary Mathematics at St Mary’s University, Twickenham, with a PhD in Learning Sciences from the University of Washington (2014), where her dissertation examined whole-number place-value understanding in children with dyslexia. She also holds a Masters in Teaching (University of Washington, 2001) and a BA in Psychology (Reed College, 1995). With extensive experience in both US and UK schools, she has taught primary mathematics, special education, and early years settings, including international experience in Tanzania. Her research focuses on mathematics learning for children with learning difficulties, early-years patterning, and inclusive pedagogy, employing methodologies such as clinical interviews, observations, video analysis, and action research. She has authored books including The Power of Pattern: Patterning in the Early Years and co-edited Enabling Mathematics Learning of Struggling Students. Dr. Thouless has contributed to numerous peer-reviewed publications on early mathematics, pattern recognition, and special education, with an h-index of 1, 5 published documents, and 3 citations across key works. She supervises PhD and EdD students, contributes to teacher education programs, and holds leadership roles in educational organizations promoting mathematics inclusion. Her work bridges research and practice, aiming to make mathematics accessible, conceptually rich, and engaging for all learners.
Featured Publications
Ockelford, A., McCarthy, S., Gifford, S., Thouless, H., Kirk, S., & Thorpe, M. (2025). “Towards a new taxonomy of pattern-making in the visuo-spatial domain in early childhood based on zygonic theory and the Sounds of Intent framework of musical development.” Music & Science.
Thouless, H., Xin, Y. P., & Tzur, R. (2022). Enabling mathematics learning of struggling students: International perspectives.
Thouless, H., Borthwick, A., & Gifford, S. (2021). The power of pattern: Patterning in the early years.
Thouless, H., Gifford, S., Moses, K., & James, R. (2020). “Reasoning about patterns.” Mathematics Teaching.
Thouless, H., & Gifford, S. (2019). “Dotty triangles.” For the Learning of Mathematics.