Newcastle University

Teaching & Scholarship Forum

Learning & Teaching Conference24

th June 2013

Welcome & Introduction• Teaching Fellows Forum originally launched in

2012

Previous meetings:• Introduction to the Forum by Prof. Suzanne

Cholerton• The Newcastle Offer; role-specific issues in T&S

• Reward, recognition and progression• Veryan Johnston; Debbie Bevitt; Marita Grimwood

• Scholarship of Learning and Teaching (SOTL)• Lydia Wysocki; JC Penet; Vanessa Armstrong

Aims of NUTS• Opportunity for all colleagues interested in

teaching and scholarship to meet• Share good practice across disciplines• Enhance communication and collaboration• Create a supportive community for T&S

colleagues• Hold regular, informal meetings to discuss

work related to teaching and scholarship activities• Colleagues to engage with Faculty

Representatives

NUTS Faculty Representatives

Vanessa Armstrong – School of Biomedical Sciences, Medical Sciences

Sara Marsham – School of Marine Science and Technology, SAgE

JC Penet – School of Modern Languages, HaSS

Chandra Vemury – School of Civil Engineering and Geosciences, SAgE

Vanessa Armstrong• Teaching Fellow in Immunology in School of Biomedical Sciences• Knew from end of undergraduate that I wanted to teach….. Just hadn’t

figured out the subject• Always been fascinated why we don’t get sick all the time!• Interested in science communication and engagement promoting these

within the undergraduate degree• Keen to help improve student transition and settling into SBMS,

acknowledging the diversity of our cohorts• Interests include swimming (ideally outside), cycling, running and

walking

Sara Marsham• Marine Scientist and Teaching Fellow in Marine Biology in MAST,

SAgE• Inspired by life-long love of the ocean and the outdoors• Decided towards the end of my PhD to teach others (late

vocational calling…!?)• Scientific activities include phycology, intertidal ecology, plant-

animal interactions, and use of organisms as indicators• Interested in educational research that eases transition in to HE,

engages students with assessment and feedback, and develops scientific critique

• Wider interests include travelling, SCUBA diving, football and speedway. Do not like seafood or fish!

JC Penet• Linguist and Teaching Fellow in French Studies in the SML, HaSS• Background in Area Studies (PhD)• Educational research in language learning and teaching, especially

motivation theory for learners of a 2nd language• Also interested in Translation Studies• Wider interests include tennis, swimming and Doctor Who.

Chandra Vemury, FHEA• Structural Engineer and a Teaching Fellow in Civil Engineering at

CEG, SAgE• Got inspired by a mythical character DRONACHARYA and have

decided at a young age (mid teens) to teach others!• Believe in the potential of traditional engineering disciplines in

nation building and sustainable economic development (e.g. Germany, U.S.A , Japan, & Rolls Royce)

• Interested in educational research that addresses one of holistic personality development, autonomous learning, and metacognition

• Interests include controversial topics such as politics, religion and cricket. Love a nice cup of coffee!

The future of NUTSWe welcome your input:• Themes of meetings• Suggestions for presenters• Frequency/timing of meetings• Use of Blackboard

• Please use post-it notes/flip charts to share your ideas!

Thank you