Inaugural Lecture: How Research Enhances STEM Education - Professors Alison Voice & Samantha Pugh

An inaugural lecture is a significant milestone in any academic's career, recognising their promotion to Professor. It also offers an opportunity for new professorial colleagues to showcase their work and innovative research with a broad audience, including members of the public, family, friends, and colleagues.

This double lecture is the first of a new series across the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences, celebrating those who have joined the University to offer ever greater teaching, research, and expertise across our eight Schools.

This double inaugural presentation showcases the work of two professors in STEM education. By exploring the variety and impact of their activities it will demonstrate how research and educational enhancement can benefit all students on their journey through university. This talk will be of interest to anyone who teaches or supports students in any STEM discipline, and indeed to students themselves. It will also be of wider interest to any staff on a T&S pathway.

Professor Alison Voice will describe how she has integrated her lab-based physics research and her knowledge of pedagogy to create a research group in Physics Education in the School of Physics and Astronomy. This group, one of the first PER groups in the UK, has had impact on the national and international stage. In this presentation Alison will provide insight into how students effectively learn and understand physics and will showcase a variety of ways in which all staff can enhance their teaching.

Professor Samantha Pugh will take you on the ‘coast to coast’ of STEM Education research and scholarship. She will start the journey on the west coast of student outreach before moving into the land of induction. The journey will continue with developing the physics curriculum, meander into the chemistry education landscape, and detour into mathematics. She will also consider whether it is better to take the well-trodden (assessment) path, or to be more adventurous with pedagogy and technology, before reaching the headland. As we dip our toes in the North Sea, she will consider how students decide where to go on their next adventure.