Simon is a Lecturer and Professional Experience Co-ordinator in Secondary Education with the Faculty of Education at the Durham street city campus at the University of Waikato. He teaches in the Graduate and Post Graduate Diploma of Teaching programmes involving the Future Focussed Teacher, Evidence Based Practice, physics and science education papers. He is a supervisor for Masters and Doctorate students.

Simon has taught extensively in secondary schools in Aotearoa, New Zealand and in the UK. He has been a classroom teacher, HOD Science, Secondary Science Adviser, and National Facilitator for assessment and curriculum programmes for schools. He has led a variety of science education projects in both primary and secondary classrooms.

His research is focussed on classroom interactions and learning, with an emphasis on students' perceptions of learning in science classrooms through the use of both quantitative and qualitative methodologies. These aspects of research are underpinned by a socio-constructivist view of learning. The research is carried out in collaboration with colleagues, schools and teachers including quantitative surveys, classroom (video) observation, interviews, focus groups, the use of drawing and photography.

Simon was awarded a Division Teaching Excellence Award in 2020, and the Kudos Science Educator award in 2014 in recognition of his contribution towards encouraging an understanding and appreciation of science to youth and the wider community. He publicly lectures in astrophysics, nuclear fusion, cosmo-chemistry, the beauty of physics and music, and learning futures.