Theme overview
The Authentic and Engaging Teaching and Learning theme focuses on student-centred approaches to creating a learning environment at Nottingham Trent University that is active, meaningful and engaging for our students. Scholarship researchers within this theme bring their experience in key areas that align with current teaching and learning strategy at Nottingham Trent University.
Researchers lead and participate in scholarship initiatives in areas including active collaborative learning such as Student-Centred Active Learning Environment with Upside Down Pedagogies (SCALE-UP) and Team Based Learning (TBL). They also explore the development of teaching and assessment methods that incorporate work-like learning (WLE) and promote life-long learning. Theme researchers are dedicated to developing educational environments and curricula that are engaging for our current and future students. The initiatives undertaken by scholarship researchers support students in being resilient, independent and equipped with employability skills for professional and personal achievement and satisfaction. The theme welcomes scholarship researchers with interests in authentic and engaging teaching and learning approaches.
Theme lead
Dr Leanne Timpson
Dr Leanne Timpson is a Lecturer in Microbiology in the Department of Biosciences at Nottingham Trent University. She is module leader for the Foundation Biology module and MSc Business and Enterprise module and Course Leader for the MSc Biotechnology programme. Leanne’s scholarship research interests include active collaborative learning methods, creating engaging learning environments, student transitions from Further Education to Higher Education and interdisciplinary collaborative work between bioscience and creative disciplines. She is passionate about providing students with a positive learning experience that supports them in achieving their ambitions.
Theme researchers
Blessing Airhihen
Blessing is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA), passionate about enhancing the student experience, bringing industry practice to the classroom. She employs innovative pedagogy and co-creation in her teaching design and practice at NTU. Her research focusses on active collaborative learning, Professional identity, mentoring international women in STEMM and Early career professionals.
Nelson Chong
Nelson’s scholarship ethos is to create a supportive learning environment where every student feels understood and valued as individuals. My practice is student-centred with focus on active collaborative learning using flipped and peer-assisted platforms to enhance deeper learning. I embed immersive technology-enhanced and simulation-based learning to foster self-regulated learning of complex concepts and skills in Biosciences.
Karin Garrie
Dr Garrie is a Lecturer / Senior Lecturer in Immunology, part of the Biosciences Team in the School of Science and Technology. She is Module Leader for Immunology and Virology (undergraduate BSc (Hon), NVQ level 6, year 3), joint co-module leader for Introduction to Cell Biology (undergraduate BSc (Hon), NVQ level 4, year 1) and Clinical Immunology (postgraduate M level, flexible learning module, NVQ level 7, year 4, to start academic year 2015/2016). In addition she is the Biomedical Science Course Tutor for year 1 students. Dr Garrie is also involved as a lecturer on additional undergraduate modules.
Ishwinder Kaur
Ishwinder focusses on embedding coaching practices in the curriculum to enhance student self-awareness, confidence, and resilience capacity. Her scholarship practice involves expanding coaching in higher education reaching as many students as possible including underrepresented groups. She leads initiatives on scaffolding skills portfolio, aligning portfolio with authentic assessment framework and evaluating the longitudinal impact of portfolio (including AWLE) on skills development of students across all academic levels. Ishwinder’s scholarship also involves extending coaching approaches for staff development and wellbeing. Ishwinder contributes actively to the TILT community, leading coaching-informed practice, inclusive pedagogy, and cross-disciplinary scholarship.
Luigi De Girolamo
Luigi’s scholarship is centred on enhancing student learning through authentic assessment practices, engaging teaching strategies, and the innovative use of digital technologies. My focus is on developing skill sets and their application to real-world contexts using portfolio and project-based approaches. A key component of my work is the integration of skills portfolios across Levels 4 to 7, supporting continuous assessment and promoting reflective, work-like learning experiences. Similarly, incorporating project-based approaches through molecular bioscience research promotes collaborative group interactions, problem-solving, and team-based outputs that strengthen communication and leadership. These approaches ensure a holistic, 360-degree development of a student’s professional skills.
Purvi Mali
As a lecturer in biosciences, Purvi gets to work alongside a wide range of academics in her field. She contributes to several Bioscience modules and has earned a Descriptor 2 Teaching Fellowship from the Higher Education Academy, as well as a foundational qualification in project management. Most of her teaching responsibilities focus on practical and seminar activities, which she truly enjoys because they foster more meaningful interactions with her students.
Michael Loughlin
Supporting training and evaluation around all forms of Active Collaborative Learning at a University level. Authentic activities for ACL focussing on skill development and critical independent thought rather on wide breadth of discipline specific topics. Currently leading on a 4-year study on the impact of laboratory classes at levels 4-6.
Sarah Rayment
Dr Sarah Rayment is a senior lecturer in the biosciences department within the School of Science and Technology at Nottingham Trent University and is co-course leader for undergraduate bioscience courses with integrated foundation year. Sarah is also the centre director for the newly formed bioscience scholarship research centre. Within the research centre, Sarah belongs to the authentic and engaging teaching and learning theme. The research that she focusses on, and is passionate about, is professional skill development. Sarah’s work includes development of teaching and assessment strategies that provide an authentic learning experience with an emphasis on skill development and enhancing recognition of skills through reflection. As the bioscience scholarship research centre director, Sarah also supports staff skill development by creating opportunities for them to further their scholarship expertise.
Christopher Terrell-Nield
Chris’s scholarship is about communication, both in specialist and generalist subject areas. To effect this, I use a variety of media apart from traditional lectures. This includes hands-on model making to illustrate animal anatomy and adaptations to environments and use of directed photography to catalogue habitats. I also use verse and prose to illustrate species’ ecology and environmental processes. I work with broadcast media and publish online, including for The Conversation, and encourage students to engage with this material.
Christian Thode
Christian’s scholarly initiatives are dedicated to fostering a positive learning environment that enables students to integrate socially and academically, gain a sense of belonging and enhance their employability skills through a range of interactions.
Christopher Tinsley
Chris’s bioscience teaching interests include developing teaching approaches to enhance student engagement, motivation and acquisition of employability skills during their student journey.
Erika Whiteford
Erika’s bioscience teaching interests focus on establishing engaging learning environments across all settings: in the classroom, laboratory and in the field. She strives to ensure all students are supported with the application of a variety of learning approaches determined in collaboration with students to ensure maximum success for every individual.