Teaching

Past and future modules in the Political Science and International Studies Department and the Sociology, Social Policy and Criminology Department (University of Birmingham):

Introduction to Political Theory (Political Science and International Studies Department)
‘Political theory tackles the fundamental questions that underlie our political systems. It examines concepts like freedom, equality, rights, and social justice and looks at how these and other concepts have been framed, and what this means for how real world politics should be understood. This module introduces [students] to political theory through considering these and other key concepts and ideas. [Students] explore different ways in which they have been framed. [Students] use them to examine [their] own understandings of real-world challenges. [Students should] finish the course ready to look more deeply into political questions and with new conceptual tools to help [them] in [their] studies of Politics’.

Understanding Politics (Political Science and International Studies Department)
‘This is an introductory course designed to familiarise students with a broad spectrum of theories, approaches and issues related to the concept of power and contemporary political ideas. The aim is to provide students with a solid foundation of key skills and knowledge upon which they can build their own perspectives on a number of themes and issues which they are likely to encounter over the course of their degree programme. The course is divided into two main parts – the first part looks at different conceptions of politics and power, whilst the second half of the course examines a number of contemporary ideas and political issues’.

Social Problems & Social Policy: Social Science in Action I (Social Policy, Sociology, and Criminology Department)
‘This module explores the relationship between social science, social problems and social policy in contemporary society. The introductory part of the module explores the relationship between the development of the social sciences and political concerns about social issues. This introduction highlights that ‘social problems’ may be explained as arising through individual or social or more complex multi-level mechanisms, with distinct implications for social policy. Throughout the module students will explore the implications of understanding issues faced by individuals, families and communities as a predominantly private or a predominantly public concern’.

Social Problems & Social Policy: Social Science in Action II (Social Policy, Sociology, and Criminology Department)
The module ‘demonstrates, through case studies, how to apply theories of social problem construction to social issues and examine the role of social science research in exploring and promoting solutions to these social problems. Encouraging students to develop sophisticated critical analysis skills students now work in groups to apply theory to their own case study for a poster presentation – part of a poster presentation conference for first year students. Thus using peer learning students have an opportunity to apply theory demonstrating problem construction, historical context, contemporary debate and potential policy solutions. This engages them in their own miniature research project utilising literature review skills from part one of the module as well as the academic skills developed in Social Research I (parts one and two)’.

Comparative Politics (Political Science and International Studies Department)

‘This module compares political systems across the globe, with a focus on different types of political system (democratic, authoritarian, etc.) including the distinction between majoritarian and consensus democracies, political parties, party systems and cleavage structures, electoral systems and voting behaviour, constitutions, legislatures, executives, political culture, pressure groups, public policy, and emerging issues, such as populism and anti-party sentiment’.

Pathways to Research I (academic skills) (Political Science and International Studies Department)
Through this module, students ‘develop a range of skills that are valued in academia and by employers, such as engaging in productive group work, reviewing and critically evaluating literature, referencing, producing a bibliography, presenting, debating, identifying problems and creating solutions, and conducting a research project’.

Pathways to Research II (research methods) (Political Science and International Studies Department)
Through this module, students ‘learn about the process of political research, and how academic research advances political knowledge. [Students] examine key theoretical and methodological debates in social science, explore and evaluate different approaches and methods, try out (elements of) these approaches and methods, examine different kinds of data or evidence, and design [their] own research proposal’.

Academic Skills Advisor in the University of Birmingham’s Academic Skills Centre
I held dozens of one-to-one appointments with undergraduate and postgraduate students on academic and research skills.

In July 2022, I became an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, and over previous years, I completed all the modules that the University’s Higher Education Futures Institute offered.

My approach to teaching is inspired by the work and praxis of bell hooks, Paulo Freire, Jacques Rancière, and Stephen Brookfield.