About University of Glasgow

Dr. Andrew Struan serves as the Head of Student Learning Development at the University of Glasgow, where he leads an award-winning, multi-disciplinary team dedicated to enhancing students' academic capabilities. His expertise spans both academic literacies and political history, with his PhD research focusing on the linguistic history of parliamentary debate and how language shapes ideologies. As the course coordinator for the Academic Writing Skills Programme, the largest course in UK Higher Education, he has made significant contributions to student development. His leadership extends beyond the university as co-Chair of ScotHELD, the national network for Scottish Learning Developers, and he holds a position on the Advisory Board of the Historical Thesaurus. Dr. Struan's work combines his passion for academic development with his research interests in political linguistics, making him instrumental in shaping how students develop their academic writing and research skills while contributing to our understanding of how political language evolves over time.

Caitlin Diver serves as the Digital Learning Technologist at the University of Glasgow's Student Learning Development team, where she plays a crucial role in enhancing digital education accessibility and effectiveness. Her expertise focuses on creating student-friendly guidance for various digital resources and tools, including learning management systems like Moodle, multimedia platforms such as Kaltura, productivity suites like Microsoft Office, and emerging AI technologies. Working collaboratively across Schools, Colleges, and Services, she develops comprehensive, easy-to-understand educational resources that help students navigate the university's digital infrastructure. Her work is instrumental in bridging the gap between complex technological tools and student needs, ensuring that digital learning resources are accessible and effectively utilized throughout the university community

Dr. Jennifer Boyle serves as the Deputy Head of Student Learning Development at the University of Glasgow, where she specializes in academic writing and student development across multiple disciplines. With a PhD in Medieval History and a background in both History and English Literature, she has established herself as a leading expert in academic writing instruction and student development. Her work spans multiple educational levels, from school to postgraduate research, with particular focus on Arts and Humanities, Social Sciences, and international student support. She has co-authored two influential textbooks: "Writing for Science Students," which won Book of the Year 2018 from the Academic Booksellers' Association, and "Writing a Science PhD," both published by Palgrave MacMillan

Amy Webster is a specialized educator in biomedical visualization at the University of Glasgow, bringing together her expertise in neuroscience and medical visualization. With a BSc (Hons) in Neuroscience and an MSc in Medical Visualisation and Human Anatomy, she has contributed significantly to the development of the groundbreaking Coursera course "Biomedical Visualisation." The course, which has attracted over 33,000 enrollments, combines anatomical education with cutting-edge visualization techniques using Blender 3D software

Dr. Craig Gurney is a Senior Lecturer in Housing Studies at the University of Glasgow's School of Social and Political Sciences, where he directs the Postgraduate Diploma/MSc Housing Studies Programme. His distinguished career spans over three decades, including positions at Sheffield Hallam University (1991-1996) and Cardiff University (1996-2019), where he twice earned recognition as the "most innovative member of staff." His research expertise encompasses housing studies, focusing on the meaning of home, geography of harm, and social construction of housing tenure. He teaches courses on housing inequality, homelessness, housing policy, and health policy, while maintaining scholarly interests in feedback literacy and learning technology. Dr. Gurney has made significant contributions to housing education through his innovative teaching methods and research, leading to multiple teaching award nominations at Glasgow University. As Vice Chair of the Housing Studies Association and board member of the Chartered Institute of Housing Scotland, he continues to shape housing policy and education. His recent achievements include launching an online micro-credential course in homelessness in 2024 and maintaining an active research agenda in social harm and housing studies.

Dr. Mark Peart serves as a Lecturer in Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow, where he specializes in integrating artificial intelligence technologies into educational practices. He is the lead instructor for the innovative course "Generative AI in the Classroom for Educators," which helps teachers understand and effectively implement AI tools in their teaching practice. His expertise focuses on preparing educators to navigate the evolving landscape of educational technology, particularly in understanding how generative AI can enhance learning outcomes while addressing ethical considerations and practical implementation challenges. Through his course, he guides educators in developing practical strategies for incorporating AI tools into their teaching methodology, creating AI-enhanced lesson plans, and understanding the implications of AI in assessment and student engagement. His work bridges the gap between emerging technology and practical classroom application, making him a key figure in advancing modern educational practices in the digital age.

Dr. Catherine Reid serves as a Lecturer in Teacher Education at the University of Glasgow, where she specializes in integrating modern educational technologies into teaching practices. She co-developed and teaches the innovative course "Generative AI in the Classroom for Educators," which equips teachers with essential skills for incorporating AI tools in their teaching methodology. The course addresses crucial aspects of AI integration in education, including ethical considerations, practical implementation strategies, and the development of AI-enhanced learning experiences. Her work focuses on helping educators understand how to effectively use generative AI tools while maintaining pedagogical best practices and ensuring responsible technology implementation in educational settings. Through this course, she guides teachers in developing practical approaches to AI integration, assessment strategies, and student engagement techniques, contributing significantly to the advancement of modern educational practices in an increasingly digital learning environment

Dr. Tracy Dodson serves as a Lecturer at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School, bringing expertise in project management and accountability. Her recent doctoral research focused on accountability in projects from a project manager's perspective, making her well-positioned to teach about the integration of AI technologies in project management. She leads the course "Generative AI for Project Managers," which helps project management professionals understand and implement AI tools effectively in their work. Her expertise combines practical project management knowledge with emerging technology applications, helping professionals navigate the challenges of implementing AI solutions while maintaining project accountability and effectiveness. Through her teaching, she addresses crucial aspects of AI integration in project management, including ethical considerations, practical implementation strategies, and risk management approaches.

Dr. Fani Deligianni serves as a Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor at the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science, where she leads the Computing Technologies for Healthcare Theme. Her extensive educational background includes a PhD in Medical Image Computing from Imperial College London, two master's degrees (MSc in Advanced Computing from Imperial College London and MSc in Neuroscience from University College London), and a MEng in Electrical and Computer Engineering from Aristotle University, Greece. As a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, she has demonstrated exceptional commitment to academic excellence and research innovation. Her research has garnered significant attention with over 50 peer-reviewed publications in prestigious venues, achieving an h-index of 22 and 2,719 citations. Her expertise in healthcare technology has attracted over £700,000 in competitive funding from organizations including EPSRC, MRC, and the Royal Society. Dr. Deligianni's research interests span medical image computing, machine learning in healthcare, human motion analysis, and brain connectivity, making her a key figure in advancing healthcare technologies through computational methods.

Dr. Gabriella Rodolico serves as a Senior Lecturer in Science Education (Biology) at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, bringing a unique combination of biotechnology expertise and educational innovation. With a PhD in Biotechnology specializing in Pharmacological Science and Physiopathology from The Second University of Naples, she has successfully bridged the gap between scientific research and educational practice. She currently leads the innovative course "Generative AI in Education" on Coursera, which has attracted over 4,800 learners. Her research interests focus on implementing innovative technology in Initial Teacher Education, particularly Virtual Reality and AI integration. Her international perspective has been enriched through multiple ERASMUS+ funded projects, allowing her to develop cross-cultural educational insights. As a self-described "digital immigrant" with high technology self-efficacy, she specializes in connecting traditional teaching methods with modern technological innovations. Her work encompasses both technology integration and internationalization in education, contributing significantly to the development of modern teaching practices and cross-cultural educational understanding

Dr. Hamish Runciman serves as a faculty member at the University of Glasgow's School of Medicine, where he specializes in integrating artificial intelligence applications in healthcare education and practice. He co-teaches the innovative course "Generative AI for Healthcare Students and Professionals" on Coursera, which provides healthcare practitioners and students with essential knowledge about AI applications in the medical field. The course he helps deliver explores real-world clinical case studies, ethical considerations, and responsible AI implementation in healthcare settings. His expertise focuses on helping healthcare professionals understand and effectively utilize AI tools while maintaining professional integrity and human oversight in medical practice. Through this course, he addresses crucial aspects of AI integration in healthcare, including its applications in medical imaging, clinical decision support, and research, while emphasizing the importance of ethical considerations and patient care quality

Dr. Ines Alves serves as a Lecturer in Inclusive Education at the University of Glasgow, where she coordinates the Master's degree in Inclusive Education and makes significant contributions to educational research and practice. Her expertise spans inclusive education policies, teaching practices, and educational equity, developed through extensive experience in both academic and practical settings. As a co-convenor for the European Educational Research Association Network 4: Inclusive Education, she plays a key role in shaping international discourse on inclusive education practices. Her background includes valuable experience as Project coordinator of the European Doctorate in Teacher Education (EDiTE) Project, and she has worked as a consultant collaborating with schools in disadvantaged areas within Portugal's Ministry of Education area-based intervention program (TEIP). Through her teaching and research, she continues to advance understanding of inclusive education practices while preparing the next generation of educators to create more equitable learning environments.

Jake Lever serves as a faculty member at the University of Glasgow, where he specializes in teaching and researching artificial intelligence, with a particular focus on Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT). He leads the course "Generative Pre-trained Transformers (GPT)" on Coursera, which provides students with comprehensive knowledge about the architecture, capabilities, and applications of GPT models. The course covers fundamental concepts of transformer architectures, natural language processing, and the practical applications of large language models. His teaching approach combines theoretical understanding with hands-on implementation, helping students grasp both the technical aspects and practical implications of GPT technology. Through this course, he guides learners through the complexities of modern AI systems, including model training, fine-tuning, and responsible AI implementation practices.

Dr. Javier Yanez-Arenas serves as a Senior Lecturer and MBA Director at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School, bringing extensive experience in higher education administration and business consulting. His impressive academic credentials include a PhD in Business and Management from the University of Glasgow, an MSc in Manufacturing Systems Engineering from Lehigh University (USA), and a BSc in Mechanical Engineering from UniAndes, Colombia. His career spans significant leadership roles, including serving as Dean of the School of Management at UniAndes in Bogota, Colombia, where he led various MBA programs and international initiatives. He has held prestigious positions as President of the Executive Board of the Latin American Council of Management Schools (CLADEA) and served on AACSB advisory councils. As the instructor of "MBA Essentials" on Coursera, he shares his expertise in operations management, supply chain management, strategy, and service innovation. His research interests focus on service innovation, supply networks, and strategic procurement, while his consulting experience includes advising major organizations like ECOPETROL and the Bogotá Mayor's Office. Dr. Yanez-Arenas actively contributes to business education through case competition coaching, executive education delivery, and leading curriculum development initiatives

Dr. Jeremy Singer serves as a Reader in Programming Language Implementation at the University of Glasgow's School of Computing Science. With a PhD from the University of Cambridge focusing on static program analysis, he has established himself as a leading expert in systems software, virtual machines, and programming language runtimes. His research interests span memory management, garbage collection, compilers, capability-based security, and software support for manycore parallelism. Dr. Singer has made significant contributions to the field, including co-authoring the world's most widely used Haskell MOOC. He teaches courses on Python and Haskell programming languages and leads research projects funded by EPSRC, such as the Manycore Research Innovation and Opportunities Network (MaRIONet) and AnyScale Applications. His recent work includes publications on pricing Python parallelism for heterogeneous platforms and exploring the use of Jupyter notebooks in education. Dr. Singer's expertise in both theoretical and practical aspects of programming languages makes him a key figure in advancing the field of computer science education and research.

Ms. Lauren Duguid serves as an educator at the University of Glasgow's School of Medicine, where she specializes in integrating artificial intelligence applications in healthcare education. She co-teaches the innovative course "Generative AI for Healthcare Students and Professionals," which helps medical students and healthcare practitioners understand and effectively implement AI tools in clinical settings. The course she helps deliver combines practical applications with ethical considerations, focusing on responsible AI implementation in healthcare environments. Her expertise includes developing curriculum materials that bridge the gap between technical AI concepts and practical medical applications, helping healthcare professionals navigate the complexities of emerging technologies while maintaining high standards of patient care. Through her teaching, she addresses crucial aspects of AI integration in healthcare education, including clinical decision support, medical documentation, and maintaining professional standards in an increasingly digital healthcare environment

Leon Robinson serves as a Lecturer in Pedagogy, Praxis & Faith at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, where he also holds the position of Chief Adviser of Studies and leads practical Teacher Education courses at PGDE level. With a BA Hons in Philosophy & Theology from Worcester College, University of Oxford, and a PGCE in Secondary Religious Education from Brighton University, he brings extensive experience in education spanning from practical art workshops to adult education. He currently leads the innovative Coursera course "Generative AI in the Classroom for Educators," which helps teachers implement AI tools responsibly in educational settings. His expertise includes Education for Sustainability, Health and Well-Being through Education, and Initial Teacher Education, with recent focus on enhancing teacher education through generative AI, as evidenced by his 2024 presentation at the Artificial Intelligence Symposium. His diverse teaching experience includes delivering CPD on Teaching World Religions, supervising dissertations at various academic levels, and contributing to the Hunterian Museum's lecture series, while maintaining active membership in professional bodies including the General Teaching Council of Scotland and the Professional Council for Religious Education

Dr. Mary Ellen Foster is a Senior Lecturer in the School of Computing Science at the University of Glasgow, where she has been advancing the field of human-robot interaction since 2015. With a PhD from the University of Edinburgh (2007) and extensive experience at institutions including Technical University of Munich and Heriot-Watt University, she has established herself as a leading expert in social robotics and embodied conversational agents. Her research has garnered over 2,800 citations, particularly focusing on developing robots capable of natural, face-to-face conversation with humans. She has led significant projects including the European Horizon 2020 MuMMER project on socially aware human-robot interaction and is currently coordinating a UK/Canada collaborative project investigating the use of socially intelligent robots in pediatric emergency rooms. Her work spans the development of artificial characters that can both produce and understand social signals, including speech, facial expressions, body language, and gestures, contributing substantially to the field through numerous publications in prestigious venues and conferences. Her research methodology combines observational studies of human behavior, computational modeling, and practical implementation in robotic systems, making her a key figure in advancing the integration of social robots in real-world applications

Dr. Matt Offord serves as a Senior Lecturer in Experiential Leadership Education and Associate Director of Learning and Teaching at the University of Glasgow's Adam Smith Business School. His innovative teaching approach combines experiential methods with 'ecopedagogy,' focusing on sustainable and responsible leadership through real-world experiences. He specializes in outdoor learning, business simulations, and educational escape rooms to bring management theory to life. As the School's academic lead for Technology Enhanced Learning and Teaching (TELT) and AI, he pioneers innovative teaching methods. His research interests include postdigital ecopedagogy, cultural evolution of leadership, and the impact of AI on authentic leadership. He leads the comprehensive "Data-Driven Leadership Skills Specialization" on Coursera, consisting of four courses that help leaders navigate modern management challenges. A Senior Fellow of Recognising Excellence in Teaching and Certified Management and Business Educator, Dr. Offord has delivered executive education globally while mentoring early-career academics and PhD tutors. His work emphasizes the importance of experiential learning in developing effective leadership skills for the digital age.

Fatma Abubaker serves as an Associate Tutor at the University of Glasgow's School of Education, where she contributes to the delivery of the innovative course "Generative AI in the Classroom for Educators." This comprehensive course helps educators understand and implement AI tools effectively in educational settings. The program she helps teach covers essential aspects of AI integration in education, including digital literacy frameworks, practical implementation strategies, and ethical considerations. Her role involves guiding educators through the responsible use of AI tools in curriculum development, assessment strategies, and creating inclusive learning environments. Through her teaching, she helps educators navigate the challenges and opportunities presented by generative AI while maintaining pedagogical best practices and addressing important considerations such as academic integrity and ethical implementation.