Dr Cheryl Hurkett
Senior Personal Tutor, Physics Teaching Lecturer and Accessibility Tutor
Telephone: 0116 252 3528
Email: cph9@le.ac.uk
Biography
I graduated from the University of Leicester with a First Class MPhys Physics with Astrophysics (Hons) degree in 2004 and then with a PhD in X-Ray Astronomy in 2008, which was carried out within the XROA group in the Department of Physics and Astronomy at Leicester.
My research involved working as part of an international collaboration to analyse data from extremely violent extra-galactic explosions called Gamma Ray Bursts (GRBs).
The majority of my research revolved around the NASA mission called Swift. During the earlier part of my PhD I was also a Leicester 'Burst Advocate' and occasionally helped with 'X-Ray Burst Scientist' duties. My thesis was was entitled "Gamma Ray Bursts: Selected Results From The Swift Mission".
In 2008 I joined the Centre for Interdisciplinary Science and piCETL, a joint venture between the University of Leicester, the Open University and the University of Reading to innovate the teaching of physics.
As a full-time Lecturer I have a variety of roles within the Centre including course development, teaching, outreach and course promotion.
As the Senior Personal Tutor and Accessibility Tutor for the Natural Sciences degree it is my responsibility to ensure that all of our students receive excellent pastoral support so that they can make the most of their time with us.
Clearly I am very familiar with the local teaching ethos within the Department for Physics and Astronomy and the Centre for Interdisciplinary Science given that I have been here so long and having experienced it from both the student and instructor perspective!
I am particularly interested in the Research/Problem Based Learning (R/PBL) methodology. I initially encountered it as an undergraduate when it was first introduced in the Physics department alongside more traditional lecture based courses before moving on to help facilitate/demonstrate workshops as a PhD student.
Finally I moved on to my current role of helping to design, develop and teach the R/PBL centric Natural Sciences degree course in the Centre for Interdisciplinary Science.
I am always looking for innovative and effective ways to improve teaching methods in the Higher Education sector - particularly those that are fun/engaging for my students and that allow me to convey my enthusiasm with regards to science to a wide audience.
If you are interested in learning more about R/PBL, or would like help in implementing it into your own teaching practice, then please feel free to contact me at cph9@le.ac.uk.
I have also helped to develop and deliver materials for the online, distance-learning iTeach inititative.
Teaching Qualifications
- Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice in Higher Education (PGCAPHE):
- Distinction (Module A: Teaching, Learning, and Assessment in Theory and Practice),
- Distinction (Module D: E-Learning Resource Development & Student Support)
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Modules
| Module | Year Group |
|---|---|
| Origins of Science | First Year |
| Prophets and Powers – Course convenor | First Year |
| Solar and Planetary Science | First Year |
| Near Space – Course convenor | First Year |
| Energy in Physics and Chemistry | Second Year |
| Time and Energy | Second Year |
| Astrophysics and Astrobiology | Second Year |
| Habitable Worlds | Second Year |
| Forensics – Course convenor | Second Year |
| Biophysics, Physiology and Metabolis | Second Year |
| Man and Machines | Second Year |
| Molecular Cell Biology and Nanoscience | Third Year |
| Nanoscale Frontiers | Third Year |
| Sensing and Signalling in Biology and Physic | Third Year |
| Communication Science | Third Year |
| Methods and Techniques I – Course convenor | First Year |
| Methods and Techniques II – Course convenor | Second Year |
| Methods and Techniques III – Course convenor | Third Year |
| Laboratory Science I – Course convenor | First Year |
| Laboratory Science II – Course convenor | Second Year |
| Laboratory Science III – Course convenor | Third Year |
| Interdisciplinary Research Journal | Third Year |
| Science in Context – Course convenor | Third Year |
| Advanced Study Topic I – Course convenor | First Year |
| Advanced Study Topic II – Course convenor | Second Year |
| Research Project III | Third Year |
| Advanced Study Topic IV | Fourth Year |
Research Interests
Whilst my previous academic studies appear to have been very narrowly focussed in the area of astrophysics I am interested in a broad range of scientific subjects, especially those that require interdisciplinary research such as biorobotics (the study of biologically inspired machines), Complex Systems (the emergence of complex behaviours from simple rules), Origin of Life scenarios and Educational Research.
Published Resources
- For my full list of publications (including co-author papers) on Google Scholar.
- First author papers listed on the NASA Astrophysics Data System.
- Publications (including co-author papers) listed on the NASA Astrophysics Data System.
Presentations
| Presentation | Event / Location | Year |
|---|---|---|
| Undergraduate e-Journals | Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference: Making Connections and Sharing Pedagogy | 2016 |
| The Natural Science approach to the Personal Tutor System | 4th Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Leicester | 2016 |
| Using Interactions within the HE Sector as an Alternative to Industrial Placements to Enhance Employability and Subject Knowledge | 3rd Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Leicester |
2015 |
| Undergraduate E-Journals | College of Science & Engineering Learning and Teaching Focus Day, Leicester |
2014 |
| Undergraduate E-Journals | HEA STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference, Edinburgh | 2014 |
| Embedding and Threading Employability Throughout the Natural Science Degree Course | College of Science & Engineering Learning and Teaching Focus Day, Leicester |
2013 |
Conferences
I have helped to organise the following conferences:
