Nick Weise (Lecturer, School of Natural Sciences)

Nick has taken a progressive and research-backed approach to engaging undergraduate students on the Chemistry courses he teaches. Through recognising and understanding the anxieties and difficulties faced by 1st and 2nd year students, he has built a supportive teaching delivery method that fosters a strong sense of belonging among new students and Peer Assisted Study (PASS) leaders from higher years.

The ‘flipped’ learning model that Nick champions is predicated around a real partnership between himself and the PASS mentors who have completed the course in previous years. Content is delivered via concise videos that are then discussed later, in a holistic approach that takes on board any external challenges students may be facing. By sharing co-ownership of his programme to PASS mentors in this way, and working alongside them to redesign elements of the workshops that take place, he continues to remain well ahead of the curve, and colleagues within the department consider themselves very lucky to have him and his approaches on board.