Developing academic identity Dr Jennifer A Burham, Senior University Teacher & School Programme & Regulations Lead, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences, University of Sheffield
Jenny’s journey started as an inorganic (boron) chemistry researcher, from where she has developed as a teacher and scholar of education, and become a member and leader of a vibrant HE community. Combining the themes of the conference with the underpinning ethos of ESLTIS, this talk will meander through Jenny’s work enhancing student learning through innovation, supporting student success, belonging, and inclusion by applying scholarship in practice, and reflecting on the importance of her learning and teaching community and the ongoing development of her identity as an academic leader within it. Covering the possibilities in professional skills, small group teaching, and laboratory pedagogies, and revisiting the Science Teaching Network from the inaugural ESLTIS 2015 presentation, Jenny hopes the talk will have something for everyone in the audience.
Biography
Jenny has been a Chemistry teaching specialist at the University of Sheffield since 2005. She loves teaching her students and is interested in everything related to student education. Her expertise encompasses laboratory teaching, professional skills development, the student experience, and working as a teaching specialist. She is an enthusiastic member of the HE Education community, leading and supporting networks, and has chaired the RSC Higher Education Interest Group for 6 years.
From her PhD (Boron Chemistry) in 2001 and two PDRA positions, Jenny has transitioned into teaching and education leadership, completing an MEd (Teaching and Learning in Higher Education), and gaining SFHEA, and PFHEA in the process. She has capitalised on middle-management administrative roles; appointing the first teaching-specialist external examiner, redefining programme learning outcomes for chemistry courses, and embedding skills and employability project work across all programmes in the School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences.
She is a vocal advocate for chemistry education and education-specialists, she has mentored both students and colleagues, and has influenced policy makers drawing attention to inequalities both in status and provision. Ultimately, Jenny likes to see people do well and measures her achievements in the success of others and her students in particular.
Enhancing Student Learning Through Innovative Scholarship Conference 