91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ

Dr Ralitsa Kantcheva is the Senior Learning Development Tutor in the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence.

Ralitsa and the Learning Development team support academic staff and students with their teaching and learning.

Dr Kantcheva has a background in supporting students through both subject specific and generic provision of academic literacy and critical thinking skills.

Ralitsa's research interests include: students’ understanding of threshold concepts embedded in academic writing and in scientific research procedures, applying academic literacies to student learning, and finding creative solutions to 'wicked' teaching challenges.

Ralitsa is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA).

Contact Ralitsa via ralitsa.kantcheva@beds.ac.uk

Dr Neil Currant joined the Academy in August 2023. They are a Senior Educational Developer, and they lead the PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education. Neil has been supporting teaching, learning and assessment practices in higher education since 2005. Previously, Neil led the Advance HE accredited fellowship scheme at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of the Arts London and was Head of Educational Development at Oxford Brookes 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ.

Neil’s doctoral study was on the experiences of belonging for global ethnic majority students in predominantly white universities. A summary of this research can be found in the Teaching Insights journal. Neil’s research interests include belonging, assessment, educational leadership, and inclusion. Most recently, they were part of a QAA-funded project 'Belonging through Assessment: pipelines of compassion'.

Neil is an assessor for Advance HE’s direct application fellowship scheme, a Senior Fellow HEA and a Fellow of the Staff and Educational Development Association. Neil’s passion outside of work is running and hopes to one day be quick enough to represent England in a road running age group category race.

See Neil's key research publications via

Contact Neil via Neil.Currant1@beds.ac.uk

Kara Burgoyne joined the Academy in 2024 as a Lecturer in Academic Development and now holds the role of Educational Developer. Kara is a 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ graduate and has spent a total of 18 years completing various qualifications to develop her knowledge and practice further.

Kara works with colleagues across the university through Academy outputs, Academic Development opportunities and the Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education (PG Cert).

Previously, Kara was a Course Manager for Teacher Education and Social Studies Higher Education at a local college. She has taught in a number of settings, including nurseries, lower schools and Further Education.

Through her work in delivering Foundation Degrees and Top-ups in Social Sciences, Education and Psychology, Kara has worked in partnership with the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ for the last 10 years. She has also worked as HPL in the Faculty of Education, English and Sport.

Kara is particularly passionate about pastoral care for HE students and removing the barriers that prevent learners from succeeding. Kara’s work also focuses on ‘Distance and Blended Learning’ and how these can be used to support learner engagement to aid success in their studies and professional careers.

Contact Kara via: Kara.Burgoyne1@beds.ac.uk

Dr Sibel Kaya conducts research and scholarly evaluation in the context of Higher Education. Sibel co-leads the development and implementation of the institution’s educational evaluation framework. She oversees investigations into ‘what works’ for access and participation activities and the wider student experience more generally. Sibel’s work informs recommendations for the future delivery of our strategic educational goals.

Sibel received her Master’s degree in education from the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Pittsburgh and her doctorate from Florida State 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ. She participated in projects funded by the National Science Foundation and the National Institute of Health in the USA. She previously held research and teaching positions in the USA and Turkey in higher education. She is interested in quantitative as well as mixed-method research design. She has conducted research and published in the fields of science teaching and learning, teacher education, classroom discourse, and student motivation.

See her key research publications via 

Contact Sibel via sibel.kaya@beds.ac.uk

Dr Kathryn Sidaway joined the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ as a Research Fellow in 2024. Kathryn conducts evaluative research in the Higher Education context, designing and undertaking research projects to establish the impact of university-wide initiatives on teaching, learning, and the wider student experience.

In addition to achieving a PhD in English Language Teaching, she holds an MA in English Language Teaching, an MA in Social Science Research, and a Postgraduate Diploma in Post-Compulsory Education and Training. She previously held teaching positions at Durham 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ and the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Warwick and worked in further education for over a decade.

Kathryn is interested in qualitative and mixed methods research, focusing on sharing the voices of students who are often under-represented in the literature.

See her key research publications via 

Contact Kathryn via Kathryn.Sidaway@beds.ac.uk

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Averil Robertson (SFHEA) is Senior Academic Developer in the Academy, a role she has held since 2016. She also leads the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ's Advance HE recognition programme, the Experiential Portfolio Route, as well as working with colleagues across the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ on a variety of initiatives, on committees and at QA events.

In a previous life, Averil was a Chartered Librarian, working at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ as an Academic Liaison Librarian from 2007-2011 and in a variety of academic and health library settings prior to that, including at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Hong Kong, a city she lived in for 11 years.

Averil's particular interests lie in digital learning and in online learning design, and she has BTEC certificates in Webpage development and E-learning as well as Certified status with the Association for Learning Technology (CMALT).

Contact Averil via averil.robertson@beds.ac.uk

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Cheryl joined the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ as a Learning Development Tutor in 2016. She supports students with academic skills development primarily through workshop delivery and one-to-one meetings across all campuses and study centres. Cheryl also works closely with course teams to support the embedding of academic skills in the curriculum.

Prior to working at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ Cheryl spent 12 years as part of the core teaching team on an Access to Higher Education course at North Hertfordshire College. As well as teaching level 3 Psychology and study skills she was involved in the course revalidation process twice and all aspects of course development. To enable progression to Access to H.E. or employment she also taught on a level 2 pre-Access course.

Cheryl is a Luton 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ alumna having graduated in Psychology BSc (Hons).

Contact Cheryl via cheryl.swallow@beds.ac.uk

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Barry studied English language teaching and attained a Master's in Applied Linguistics before joining as a Learning Development Tutor for Computer and 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ skills in the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence.

He works with academics to design and deliver academic skills workshops and supports the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØhub team in providing open-access and referral-based one-to-one support for students across all university sites, and is also involved in various Academy initiatives including the training of Student Experience Leaders (SELs) and improving our Academic Integrity Resource.

Barry holds ALDinHE Certified Practitioner (CeP) and AFHEA statuses.

Contact Barry via barry.poulter@beds.ac.uk

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Anthea is one of the two part-time Maths and Statistics Tutors within Learning Development. She helps support our students from Foundation to Post-Graduate level in developing their numerical, data-handling and analysis skills for university and life beyond. Support is offered via workshops, 1:1 appointments (face-to-face and online), targeted Maths drop-ins, and through online learning resources.

Prior to joining the UoB in 2012, Anthea had worked as a statistician for the Government, in the private sector, and for Bedfordshire Police. She is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA), has a BSc (Hons) in Maths, Statistics and Linguistics from the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Hertfordshire, a Management MBA from what is now Bayes Business School, and a TESOL qualification.

When not working at the university she runs a business part-time, enjoys offshore sailing and mountain-biking.

Anthea works Mondays, Tuesdays, and Wednesdays and can be contacted via anthea.cowen@beds.ac.uk

Dr Farhana Gokhool joined the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ in June 2023 and has taken on a role as Mathematics and Statistics Tutors in the Academy's Learning Development team. Farhana's role involves supporting students and staff through one-to-one sessions and embedded academic initiatives. She will also contribute to the Evaluation aspect of the Student Experience Leaders (SEL) programme.

Farhana completed her Ph.D. in Mathematics Education, which focused on understanding and remedying student engagement with mathematics and statistics support. In particular, she has worked on investigating demographic engagement and the role of mathematics anxiety in hindering student engagement. In addition, to her Ph.D. she also has a BSc (Hons) in Mathematics and is continually pursuing further academic development.

Farhana can be contacted at farhana.gokhool@beds.ac.uk

Liz joined the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ as a Learning Development Tutor in 2024. She supports students with academic writing and skills development through designing and delivering workshops and offering one-to-one meetings. Liz works across the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ but focuses on supporting students in the CATS Faculty.

She worked in the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ’s Centre for English Language for nine years and speaks several European languages having worked in Education in other parts of the world. Liz has a background in language teaching, training and examining, including English for speakers of other languages (ESOL), and has taught in secondary, further and adult education, the third sector and private language schools throughout her career.

Liz is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and holds a PhD in Education which focused on developing mobile blended learning in adult ESOL. Liz’s research interests are mobile blended learning, language teaching pedagogy and materials development.

Contact Liz via liz.wood@beds.ac.uk.

Dr Jin Tan joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Senior Digital Learning Officer in November 2022 and is now a Senior Digital Learning Manager. Jin’s key remits include developing strategic solutions that ensure the maximum value of the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ’s Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) services is delivered to end users; promoting an institutional ethos that emphasises the importance of digital learning amongst key stakeholder groups; and liaising with external stakeholders to ensure the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ is implementing digital learning best practices.

Previous to this role Jin was a System Support Developer/Analyst at Cardiff 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ, where she worked in managing, developing and supporting various e-learning systems for 14 years. Jin’s first degree is Computer Science. Between 2003 and 2008, she gained a MSc in Information and Knowledge Management and a Doctorate degree in Educational Informatics and worked in three HE sectors designing, developing and supporting e-learning services/courses.

Jin is a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Senior Certified Member of ALT (SCMALT). She has been a reviewer of the Research in Learning Technology Journal since 2017 and a CMALT assessor since 2018. Jin’s particular interests lie in sustainable digital learning services, technology adoptions, and digital capabilities improvement.

Contact Jin via Jin.Tan@beds.ac.uk

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Luke joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer in October 2022. He is responsible for helping maintain and manage the learning management systems used in the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ’s virtual learning environment. Within that, Luke supports academic staff, takes part in digital learning related projects, and contributes to the incorporation of new technologies within BREO.

He completed his BA in International Business and Management, at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Central Lancashire. After Graduating he worked as Faculty Executive Administrator in Health and Social Sciences at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ.

Contact Luke via luke.jones@beds.ac.uk

T: 01582 483287

For technical support contact BREO support

Ferdausara joined the Academy for Learning and Teaching Excellence as a Digital Learning Officer in May 2023. Ferdausara is responsible for helping to maintain and manage the digital learning systems that make up the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ’s virtual learning environment. Ferdausara also supports academic staff, and any related digital learning projects, as well as making valuable contributions to incorporate new technologies within BREO.

Ferdausara completed a BSc Hons in Business Studies and Management at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Salford. Prior to joining UoB in 2018, she worked in the financial and Telecommunications industries as well as for Department for Work and Pensions (DWP).

In her spare time, Ferdausara likes to read, play badminton, cook and develop foreign Language skills.

Contact Ferdausara via ferdausara.islam@beds.ac.uk

For technical support, contact BREO support

Tai Luong is the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ's Learning Analytics Business Manager. With extensive experience in supporting Digital Learning systems, Tai assists with the management of digital learning and learning analytics systems and oversees various projects to expand the application of learning analytics and promote digital learning excellence across the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ.

Tai specialises in leveraging stakeholder and institutional data gathered from system analytics to evaluate existing digital learning practices and suggest improvements.

Tai is a certified Prince2 and ILTL 4 Practitioner and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Contact Tai via: tai.luong@beds.ac.uk

Simone Banner is proud to be part of the Academy of Learning and Teaching Excellence (ALTE), leading the Academy’s Administrative and Communications team.

With Simone’s help, the Academy will build a community of students, academics and researchers connected across different parts of the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ, and beyond - championing student support, collaboration and Knowledge Exchange.

Alongside leading Administrative projects and Communications, Simone steers the Academy's promotional efforts and planning of events, workshops, and other learning development-related initiatives.

Before arriving at the Academy, Simone worked for the Research & Innovation service and actively supports Equality, Diversity and Inclusion, through her involvement with the Race Equality Network and subsequent work with the Cabinet Office in supporting the Inclusive Britain strategy and the Universities contributions.

Simone studied Journalism, New media & Human Rights at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ of Roehampton and brings with her a wealth of both interpersonal and communications skills.

Contact Simone via Simone.Banner@beds.ac.uk

Loretta Gora is part of the Library and Academy Services, Administration, Communications & Website team, providing administrative support to colleagues and assisting with Academy communications and engagement.

Being the first point of contact via the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ Hub, Loretta helps to correctly signpost and find resolutions for student inquiries.

Loretta is also a proud alumnus, having studied BA in Travel and Tourism, followed by a PGCE at the 91ÑÇÉ«APPÏÂÔØ.

Contact Loretta via loretta.gora@beds.ac.uk