Professor John Visser
Gala Dinner Speaker: 'What can a label do?'
John Visser completed his initial training in 1970 and taught in mainstream schools and
specialist units for ten years before pursuing an academic career. He was Visiting Professor at the University of Northampton (2010 to 2019) having retired in 2010 from the University of Birmingham where he was programme tutor for post graduate professional development courses in SEMH (formerly social, emotional and behavioural difficulties), He has been a consultant to schools, Local Authorities and Educational Trusts, nationally and internationally in the area of Special Education. Widely remembered for his professionally relevant research and staff development work on classroom management; pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties; teaching and learning, particularly differentiation and special educational needs. He has supervised some 35 doctoral research students and published a range of journal articles and books solely and with colleagues.
During his presidency of the National Association for Remedial Education he worked with
the National Council Special Education to merge into the National Association for Special
Educational Needs (NASEN). He then held a variety of positions within NASEN including
being President in 1999/2000. He has also held office in SEBDA and the European Association of Special Education. He was the first non-American President of the Council for
Exceptional Children’s Division of International Special Educators. He served as Chair of North Somerset’s Strategic School’s Forum and their Children’s Trust Forum and was founding Chair of the Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust.
Since retirement in 2019 he has continued to support and played a part in the research of
former doctoral students.
John Visser completed his initial training in 1970 and taught in mainstream schools and
specialist units for ten years before pursuing an academic career. He was Visiting Professor at the University of Northampton (2010 to 2019) having retired in 2010 from the University of Birmingham where he was programme tutor for post graduate professional development courses in SEMH (formerly social, emotional and behavioural difficulties), He has been a consultant to schools, Local Authorities and Educational Trusts, nationally and internationally in the area of Special Education. Widely remembered for his professionally relevant research and staff development work on classroom management; pupils with social, emotional and behavioural difficulties; teaching and learning, particularly differentiation and special educational needs. He has supervised some 35 doctoral research students and published a range of journal articles and books solely and with colleagues.
During his presidency of the National Association for Remedial Education he worked with
the National Council Special Education to merge into the National Association for Special
Educational Needs (NASEN). He then held a variety of positions within NASEN including
being President in 1999/2000. He has also held office in SEBDA and the European Association of Special Education. He was the first non-American President of the Council for
Exceptional Children’s Division of International Special Educators. He served as Chair of North Somerset’s Strategic School’s Forum and their Children’s Trust Forum and was founding Chair of the Lincoln Anglican Academy Trust.
Since retirement in 2019 he has continued to support and played a part in the research of
former doctoral students.
