NHE Teaching Philosophy & Experience

Teaching Philosophy

Being a university lecturer is not simply about directing or carrying out research. The teaching and training of students is an extremely important and (for me) a very enjoyable part of the job.

I teach across a range of inorganic and organic chemistry modules, supervise laboratory based project students and have supported the development and delivery of teaching in various teaching administrative roles.

Year-on-year, I strive to improve my teaching. I aim to engage, then enthuse and ultimately ignite students into becoming self-motivated, independent learners. For inspiration, I keep up with the latest developments in the chemistry education literature, as well as attending local and national education events and conferences.

Teaching Experience

2021-
Senior Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University
2013-2021
Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry, Lancaster University

Recognised as a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy

Teaching leadership roles:
Director of Teaching (2021/2022)
Part II Exam Officer (2020/2021)
Part II Year Director for first (2014/2015 to 2016/2017) & fourth (2017/2018 to 2019/2020) cohort of chemistry undergraduates
Departmental NSS Champion (NSS 2016, 2017 & 2020)

Teaching contributions in 2024/25:
CHEM204 Molecular Structure Determination (Module convenor)
CHEM321 Further Inorganic Chemistry (half of module on f-Block)
CHEM494 Supramolecular Chemistry (Module convenor since 2016/17)

Previous teaching contributions include:
Module convenor for CHEM201 Alkene and Aromatic Chemistry (formerly Chemistry of Pi-Systems, 2014/2015 to 2021/22)
Module convenor for CHEM321 Further Inorganic Chemistry (section on Metals in Biology, 2015/2016 to 2021/22)
Module convenor for CHEM101 Atoms and Molecules (2023/24)
Module convenor for CHEM103 Chemistry of the Elements (2015/2016 & 2016/2017)
Module convenor for CHEM222 Organometallics, Catalysis and Mechanism (2023/24)
Demonstrating on CHEM371 Advanced Synthetic Chemistry Practical (from 2015/2016 to 2017/2018)
Delivering 1st year undergraduate tutorials on synthetic chemistry (2013/2014 to 2023/24)
Delivering 2nd year undergraduate tutorials on synthetic chemistry (2017/2018 to 2022/23)
Supervising 3rd year undergraduate project students (11 up to 2023/2024)
Supervising 4th year undergraduate project students (8 up to 2023/2024)

2011-2013
Post-Doctoral Research Associate in the Department of Chemistry, Durham University

Prepared and delivered undergraduate tutorials on:
2nd Year Core Organic Chemistry (2012/2013)
1st Year Core Organic Chemistry (2011/2012)

2007-2011
DPhil Student in Inorganic Chemistry at Wadham College, Oxford University

Prepared and delivered undergraduate tutorials on:
3rd Year Advanced Coordination Chemistry Option (2007/2008 to 2010/2011)
2nd Year Core Inorganic Chemistry (for visiting US student, 2010/2011)

Laboratory supervisor for 4th year undergraduate project student (2008/2009)