Linda Clarke was born in Brooklyn, New York, moving to Northern Ireland in early childhood. She qualified as a teacher in 1983 and served as a Geography teacher and head of department for 15 years. Her Masters degree is in education technology and her PhD examines the use of Elearning in initial teacher education. She was appointed as a Lecturer in education at Ulster University in 2001 and Senior Lecturer in 2008, with teaching responsibilities in initial teacher education (as Course Director in PGCE Geography) and in CPD courses in the ICT pathway of the MEd.