Educational research
The Bioscience Educational Research Group (BERG) provides a forum for discussion and dissemination of learning and teaching scholarship at the School of Biosciences and associated research Institutes within the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences.
We aim to support excellence in learning and teaching by the evidence-based design, implementation and evaluation of teaching innovation. Our research covers a wide range of educational areas relating to Biosciences, with dissemination of results both internally and externally.
Research areas
- Curriculum design
- Assessment and Feedback
- Teaching large cohorts and development of practical skills
- Student support, inclusivity and belonging
- Skills development and employability
Current research
We are undertaking research in the following areas:
- Comparative Judgement and peer learning
- Hybrid practical design
- Students as partners in practical design
- Closing the awarding gap
- Staff perspectives of lecture capture
Recent publications
- Cramman, H., Arenas, B., Awais, R., Balaban, C., Cropper, C., Dennis, F., Finch, K., Gray, H., Hall, A., Kitchen, G., Norman, K., O’Driscoll, L., Petts, P., Petri, S., Robson, J., Rosenburgh, A., Shields, L., Swift, G. P., and Vaughan, H. (2024). Post-16 students’ experience of practical science during the COVID-19 pandemic and the impact on students’ self-efficacy in practical work. Enhancing Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 2, 39–69.
- Wattret, G., Delaney, J. and Steers, J. (2024). Developing commercial awareness and digital video interview skills in second-year life sciences students. Developing Academic Practice. 2024 (August)
- Hammond, K., (2024) Sensory, communication, and processing differences and collaborative learning: Don’t forget about autistic students! Developing Academic Practice. 2024(special)
- Wattret, G., Delaney, J., Golding, E., Lewis, Z., Foden, J., Abdulkadir, A., Ali, M. L., Murray, K., and Marsh, J. (2024). The BME enterprise in the life sciences challenge: A resource efficient, high impact, Initiative. Developing Academic Practice. 2024(special)
- Voelkel, S., Bates, A., Gleave, T., Larsen, C., Stollar, E. J., Wattret, G., and Mello, L.V. (2023). Lecture Capture affects student learning behaviour. FEBS Open Bio 13(2), 217-232.
- Mello, L.V., Awais, R., Sedghi, G. and Voelkel, S. (2022) Chinese students’ awareness of and attitude towards employability skills, Developing Academic Practice. 2022 (December).
- Awais, R. and Stollar, E. (2021). Demonstrator training needs to be active and focused on personalized student learning in bioscience teaching laboratories. FEBS OPEN BIO. 11(11) pp 2888-2901.
- Mello, L.V. and Wattret, G. (2021). Developing transferable skills through embedding reflection in the science curriculum. Biophys Rev.
- Mello, L. V., Varga-Atkins, T., and Edwards, S. W. (2021). A structured reflective process supports student awareness of employability skills development in a science placement module. FEBS OpenBio.11: 1524-1536.
Case studies and resources
University of Liverpool 'Developing Academic Practice' podcasts
- Building Exceptional Connections Between Academics, Careers and Employers
- Developing students digital fluency and employability through authentic assessment
- Intersectionality and nurturing academics of colour
- Preparing students for the future by developing programming and quantitative analysis skills
Slivers of Silver resources
- Bridging Staff-student Partnership Through Multimodal Assessment
- Developing Students’ Digital Fluency and Employability at Scale Through Authentic Assessment.
Teaching awards
The University’s annual teaching awards recognise the importance of excellence in learning and teaching and providing a high-quality student experience. Our research has been recognised with several awards:
Sir Alistair Pilkington Awards
- Novel approach for demonstrator training in Biosciences teaching laboratories
- Developing students' digital fluency and employability through authentic assessment
- Preparing students for the future by developing programming and quantitative analysis skills
Learning, Teaching and Student Experience Awards