PG Cert Higher Education (UoA) (BSc (Hons) Biological Sciences (University of Sussex), PhD Plant Biology (University of Lancaster), PGCE (University of Exeter), Diploma in Counselling, Senior Fellow Higher Education Academy, MRSB
Senior Lecturer
- About
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+44 (0)1224 272697 School of Biological Sciences 23 St Machar Drive ('Auris Builiding') Room G21 University of Aberdeen Aberdeen AB24 3UU
Memberships and Affiliations
- Internal Memberships
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Senate (2016-2020)
Senior Personal Tutor (2013- )
Disabilities Coordinator (SBS) (2011- )
Honorary Chaplain (Quaker) (2016- )
Committee member, Employee Engagement Working Group (Facilities & Resources Sub Group) (2016 - )
Academic Co-director, Chancellors’ Strategic Excellent Initiative (HEA) on developing/delivering student-led multidisciplinary electives
Chair, Feedback & Assessment Task Group (2016- )
Committee member, Student Survey Working Group
STAR assessor (2014, 2015)
Coordinator, School of Biological Sciences Teaching Swap Shop series (2013- )
Committee member, Friends of the Cruickshank Gardens Management Committee
PhD supervision
Abdullahi Umar J (2012-2015) The effect of drought on Acacia senegal (L) Willd. trees. [University of Aberdeen]
Porter-Bolland L (2001) Landscape ecology of apiculture in the Maya area of La Motaña, Campeche, Mexico [University of Florida]
Academic examining
2017: Ganesan, S (The systematics, phylogeny and conservation assessment of Pterospermum in Malesia, PhD)
2016: Liliana Muñoz (Molecular approach to seaweed biodiversity of Easter Island. (University of Aberdeen, MSc)
2015: Adamu Abubakar, Z. Aquaporins as candidate genes for drought avoidance QTL on rice Chromosome 7 (University of Aberdeen, PhD)
2014: Mytikou, A. Seaweed Biodiversity around the Antarctic Convergence in the South Atlantic (University of Aberdeen, PhD)
2014: Hechenleitner, P. A synopsis of Andean Vicia (Leguminosae: Papilionoideae), and keys to their identification. ((University of Aberdeen/ Royal Botanic Gardens, Edinburgh, PhD))
2011: Dhakal, B (MSc) Protected forest under-planted with Cardamom: impacts and opportunities for conservation and livelihoods (University of Aberdeen, MSc)
2008: Barnes VR. Ecology and management of fuels in tropical forests in Ghana (University of Aberdeen, PhD)
1999: Affum-Baffoe K. Forest dynamics along an environmental gradient in Ghana (MSc, Aberdeen)
- External Memberships
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Journal reviewing
African Journal of Ecology, Biotropica, Functional Ecology (formerly Editorial Board), Journal of Ecology, Journal of Tropical Ecology, Journal of Tropical Forest Science, International Tree Crops Journal (formerly editor), Plant Ecology, Tree Physiology, Assessment & Evaluation in Higher Education
Reviews of scientific proposals
2001. National Science Foundation (for Prof Henry Gholz). Informal review.
- Research
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Research Overview
Pedagogical research
My interests are focussed on the experience of students as individuals, including:
- student-staff communication styles
- iterative feedback
- adaptive assessment
- differentiated teaching and learning
- student-led teaching and learning
Discipline based research
My main interests are in the ecophysiology of trees, particularly in the tropics, including:
- Ecophysiology of leaves in different light environments
- Nutrient cycling in tropical rain forests
- Water relations of plants in desert/drought conditions
- Sampling (including access) techniques for researching forest canopies
Current Research
Biological research
- Water relations of plants in desert/drought environments in NE Nigeria
Pedagogical research
- Differentiated and adaptive learning and assessment
- Formality/informality in student/staff communication
- Teaching
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Teaching Responsibilities
Programme coordinator
Plant and Soil Science (BSc, Single Honours) [CD27]
Course coordinator
BI2018: Biological Enhanced Skills Training ('BEST')
SX1504: 6th Century Course: Natural World
BI25P4: Plants, People and the Environment
BI3901 Mediterranean Terrestrial Ecosystems Field Course (Catalonia)
Course contributor
BI3010: Statistical Analysis of Biological Data
BI1009: Frontiers in Biological Sciences
SX1007 6th Century Course: Fearsome Engines
SX3503 Bioethics
BI4016 SBS: Honours Projects
BI4017/4517: SBS Honours Essays
BI4301/EV5301: Environmental Pollution
EK5505: Ecology and Society
GM50M1: Generic Skills (for PGT biosciences students)
Two-Day staff training course: Learning and Teaching in Higher Education
Contributor: Unit 3 'Feedback', Principles of Learning & Teaching in Higher Education
Supervision
Honours projects
MSc projects
(none currently running)PhD projects
(none currently running)