I have a long-standing interest in the practice of forensic anthropology, the frameworks in which practitioners work, and the way it is taught. My first publication, back when I was a PhD student full of righteous indignation, explored the ethics and legality of using skeletal remains in forensic anthropology research. This is a theme I have come back to throughout my career, although it has evolved a little to focus more on practice in the field. I have been fortunate enough to work with colleagues on a couple of book chapters to tease apart the tensions of applying forensic anthropology in contexts around the world, and how the clash of different philosophies and paradigms can result in a more sensitive approach to practice.<\/p>\n
I also really like teaching – and I\u2019ve wanted to teach for as long as I can remember. The only thing that\u2019s changed is the age group that I wanted in my classes. The great thing about working in a university like ours, is that you get to create a pedagogical connections – my field work<\/em> gives me questions for my research<\/em> which feeds into my teaching<\/em> which gives me new ideas and directions for further research<\/em> and how to approach case work<\/em>. I have a bit of an issue with many learning and teaching publications, in that they can be a bit navel gazey or lack a genuine means of determining the effectiveness of a given intervention, so more recently I have been putting my money where my mouth is and undertaking some detailed pedagogical research within a full evaluation framework.<\/p>\n In addition to classroom-based teaching, I also co-deliver a hugely successful Future Learn course on Forensic Archaeology and Anthropology<\/a>, which has been supported by the ICRC. This has developed from a short course we have run in the region which has supported police and crime scene officers from across the globe. And a number of artists and authors! I\u2019ve also traveled around Europe delivering CPD. This ability to tailor my teaching for a multitude of audiences and learners is partly what led to me being awarded a National Teaching Fellowship for excellence in teaching and support for learning in 2014. It\u2019s also been helpful in my role as Chair of the QAA Subject Benchmark Statement Review<\/a> for Anthropology.<\/p>\n My teaching has also led directly to the creation of my spin-out company, anthronomics ltd<\/a>, which aspired to develop incredible teaching and study aids for people like us. I\u2019m proud of the work it achieved.<\/p>\n Check out the details:<\/span><\/span><\/p>\n I have a long-standing interest in the practice of forensic anthropology, the frameworks in which practitioners work, and the way it is taught. My first publication, back when I was a PhD student full of righteous indignation, explored the ethics and legality of using skeletal remains in forensic anthropology research. This is a theme I have come back to throughout my career, although it has evolved a little to focus more on practice in the field. I have been fortunate enough to work with colleagues…<\/span>Continue Reading “Practice + Pedagogy!”<\/span> \n