Profile

As a Teaching Associate in the School of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience at the University of Bristol, I enjoy teaching a broad range of topics across the biomedical sciences. I lead and support tutorials, workshops, and practical sessions on subject-specific topics such as neuroanatomy to more general academic skills like essay writing. A key part of my role is providing thoughtful and constructive feedback—what we like to call ‘feedforward’—to help students grow in confidence and improve their work. While teaching is my main focus, I also carry out my own research and enjoy engaging with the wider community as an active STEM Ambassador.

A typical day for my can vary quite a bit, depending on the time of year, whether teaching is in full swing, and what kind of sessions are scheduled. On days I work from home, the morning often begins with checking emails —anything from upcoming marking, to catching up on current research projects. If there’s marking to do, this might take up a big chunk of the morning, especially close to deadlines. Afternoons are usually a good time to prepare for upcoming teaching sessions. This might involve updating slides, reviewing scientific content, planning how to explain tricky topics, or preparing new resources.

On campus days, it’s a bit different. It might start with a short in-person tutorial or  a longer practical lab session, where students get hands-on experience with equipment and experiments. I guide them, answer questions, and make sure they understand what they’re doing and why. After lunch, I might have a meeting or another teaching session. Of course, a few chats over coffee with colleagues can be part of the day too!