Talking Learning and Teaching

Kevin L. Merry
  • 5.0 (3)
  • EDUCATION
  • UPDATED FORTNIGHTLY

Welcome to Talking Learning and Teaching, a new Podcast all about learning and teaching in Higher Education. During each episode, we will be speaking to a teacher about a different topic related to learning and teaching in UK Higher Education. Whether it's practical ideas that can be used to support student learning, sharing of perspectives on key topics, or insights into future developments, there is something here for everyone with a passion for learning and teaching.

  1. 5 DAYS AGO

    Reimagining Student Voice in HE with Jenny Sanders & Angie Bartoli

    "Student voice” is a phrase that echoes across university strategies - but what does it really mean in practice? In this episode, we explore how one institution is moving beyond tick-box feedback to create genuine partnerships between staff and students. Nottingham Trent University's Jenny Sanders and Angie Bartoli discuss the importance of amplifying underrepresented voices, from neurodivergent and Black student leaders to those often left out of formal decision-making. We delve into the creation of specialist Student Executive roles, innovative mentoring schemes, and the challenges of embedding meaningful student influence in institutional culture. The conversation uncovers what true co-creation looks like, and why authentic student voice is key to building a more inclusive, connected learning community. Enjoy this great episode! Angie Bartoli is a Student Experience Manager at Nottingham Trent University. She is the strategic lead across the School of Social Sciences in the areas of student voice and enhancing the student experience with a particular interest in the amplification of voices that are marginalised. Angie is a qualified and registered social worker with a particular research interest in transitions into management and the role of social workers in disasters. She is also an ILM qualified Executive Coach and a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE.   Jenny Sanders is a Senior Lecturer in Social Sciences (Student Academic Experience) in the School of Social Sciences at Nottingham Trent University. Alongside the Student Experience Manager, Jenny leads on student experiences projects across the School, with a particular focus on supporting the disabled student community and is an advocate of peer learning and support. She has experience of working in adult social care, is a Senior Fellow of AdvanceHE and is completing her PhD in Psychology on the autistic sexual experience.

    41 min

  2. 29 SEPT

    News Update

    I’m still looking for guests for the Talking Learning & Teaching Podcast! If you have a story to share, I’d love to hear from you. I’m also curious about how you’re using the podcast and what topics or episodes you’d like to see in the future. Please take a moment to complete this short survey and let me know your thoughts. Talking Learning & Teaching Podcast Survey Exciting news from the UDL-UK & Ireland Network: we’re offering two upcoming courses at heavily discounted rates! Designing Inclusive & Impactful Instruction – our flagship, highly popular 1-day instructional design course – will take place live via Zoom on October 15th, 10:00–17:00 UK time. Universal Design for Leading – a brand-new half-day leadership development course – will be held live via Zoom on November 12th, 10:00–14:00 UK time. As part of our autumn offer, you can get a single ticket for either course at around 50% off. We also offer bulk tickets for 5 or 10 participants (perfect for departmental teams) at around 60% off. Check out our latest special offers page for bulk discounts!

    6 min

  3. 23 SEPT

    The Power of Informal Conversations in Research with Zachery Spire

    What role do everyday chats and spontaneous exchanges play in shaping research? In this episode, we explore how informal conversations - so often overlooked in methodological debates, can add nuance, authenticity, and depth to qualitative research. Our guest, Zachery Spire, shares insights into the ethical dilemmas these encounters raise, the ways they illuminate doctoral students’ experiences of research culture, and why they offer a richer picture than surveys alone. We also discuss how institutions might rethink doctoral engagement by valuing the hidden but powerful work of conversation. Zachery Spire, PhD., is a public engagement research specialist currently based at Oregon State University. He has studied student, staff, and university-city engagement. His work highlights the multidimensional and relational nature of engagement and the importance of institutional policy, planning, and practice for students, staff, and their wider communities. Feel free to reach out to Zach to discuss universities, engagement, and research culture. His email is zachery.spire@oregonstate.edu.

    29 min

  4. 15 SEPT

    Rethinking Rubrics in Healthcare Education with Gareth Kennard-Holden

    What if assessment rubrics could be more than just grading tools? In this episode, we sit down with Gareth Kennard-Holden to explore the ambitious project of reimagining rubrics across healthcare subjects. From co-designing with students and staff, to crafting clearer language and a glossary, to creating a linked progression that spans levels 4 to 7, this new model is transforming how learners understand their academic journey. With over 1,000 pieces of feedback shaping the final design, we discuss the power of collaboration, the shift toward shared assessment literacy, and the potential ripple effects across disciplines and institutions. Gareth Kennard-Holden is a lecturer in adult nursing at the University of South Wales (USW), having previously worked as a community nurse and research nurse for 15 years, his passion is student voice, empowerment and compassion in assessment and feedback as well as the wider field of education. He has led a group of staff and students to redesign the assessment marking rubrics across nursing and other healthcare courses at both undergraduate and postgraduate level. If you would like to get in touch with Gareth and learn more about the work, he and his colleagues at USW are doing his email address is gareth.kennard-holden@southwales.ac.uk.

    45 min

  5. 8 SEPT

    From Anxiety to Insight: Rethinking Statistics for Non-STEM Students with Haseeb Shaikh

    What happens when statistics is taught not through formulas and abstract graphs, but through the lens of movie trailers, design projects, and student-led storytelling? In this episode, we sit down with Haseeb Shaikh who reimagined an introductory statistics course for students in the social sciences, humanities, and design. We explore the roots of math anxiety in non-STEM fields, the creative pivot from cricket scores to cinema, and the power of scaffolded, hands-on learning. Tune in to hear how this innovative approach turned fear into curiosity—and what lessons any educator can take away to make numbers less intimidating and far more engaging. Haseeb Shaikh is an EdTech entrepreneur and a pre-doctoral learning sciences researcher from Pakistan. He is interested in designing both classroom and online learning experiences guided by the nature of human cognition. His ongoing work explores the role of visual context in conceptual cognition, working towards the development of a conceptual cognition model embodied in real-time. Haseeb can be connected with through his Gmail account at "haseebshaikh.pk", or via LinkedIn.

    58 min

  6. 1 SEPT

    Marking in the Age of AI: One Educator’s Experience with Daisy Bao

    What happens when suspicion of AI use creeps into the marking process? In this episode, Daisy Bao reflects on their first-hand experience of assessing student work where AI may have been involved. We explore the ethical tensions, the emotional weight of navigating suspicion, and the role of policy—or lack thereof—in supporting educators. This candid conversation shines a light on how trust, fairness, and academic integrity are being redefined in the era of generative AI. Daisy Bao is a PhD researcher in Higher Education at the University of Edinburgh, exploring student partnerships and how equity, diversity, and inclusion can shape fairer universities. Before starting her PhD, she worked as a higher education researcher at the Municipal Teacher Professional Education Centre and served on the committee for the municipal supervisor training scheme. She’s passionate about building learning environments where students and staff can thrive together.

    31 min

  7. 26 AUG

    Dyslexia in Academia: A Journey of Openness and Advocacy with Damian Parry

    In this brilliant episode, Damian Parry shares their lived experience of navigating academia with dyslexia. We explore how neurodivergence shapes scholarship, teaching, and community, while unpacking the stigma that still surrounds disclosure in higher education. From misconceptions to systemic gaps in support, this conversation highlights both the challenges and opportunities for creating a more inclusive academic world. Enjoy this thought provoking episode. Damian Parry is a Senior Lecturer at Newcastle University’s School of Biomedical, Nutritional and Sports Sciences, and a passionate advocate for inclusive education. Diagnosed with dyslexia later in life, Damian has come to embrace the unique strengths and resilience that dyslexia has helped him forge—alongside the innate problem-solving abilities that have always shaped his approach to learning, teaching, and leadership. Damian’s journey as a dyslexic academic is one of empowerment and transformation. He believes in the power of community and the importance of creating spaces where diversity is not just accepted but celebrated. His work across the university reflects this ethos—from leading the expansion of the widening participation summer school Programme to a time as Faculty EDI Director and presently the co-chair of the university disability staff network. As an educator, Damian is deeply invested in improving how students engage with feedback. He champions approaches that help learners truly receive feedback and apply it as feedforward, making assessment a more meaningful and rewarding experience for both students and educators. Whether through his roles in curriculum design, student support, or institutional inclusion efforts, Damian brings authenticity, insight, and a deep commitment to equity. His story offers a compelling look at what it means to thrive as a dyslexic academic—and how embracing neurodiversity can transform higher education for everyone.

    43 min

  8. 26 AUG

    Bonus Episode! Better Assessment in HE Book Launch

    Join me for a special bonus episode as I celebrate the launch of my new book, Better Assessment in Higher Education! In this recording from our live online launch, I share a behind-the-scenes look at the creation of the book, key insights on designing meaningful and equitable assessments, and a lively Q&A with educators and assessment leaders. In Better Assessment in Higher Education, I explore how assessment can do more than measure student performance—it can inspire learning, support diverse learners, and align with Universal Design for Learning (UDL) principles. You’ll discover practical strategies for creating accessible, inclusive assessments, empowering students as partners in the process, and integrating assessment seamlessly into instruction to enhance metacognition and differentiated learning. Whether you’re a faculty member, instructional designer, or administrator, this episode will give you actionable takeaways to make assessment more learner-centered, equitable, and impactful. Tune in for insights, conversation, and inspiration straight from the launch of Better Assessment in Higher Education!

    24 min
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3 Ratings

About

Welcome to Talking Learning and Teaching, a new Podcast all about learning and teaching in Higher Education. During each episode, we will be speaking to a teacher about a different topic related to learning and teaching in UK Higher Education. Whether it's practical ideas that can be used to support student learning, sharing of perspectives on key topics, or insights into future developments, there is something here for everyone with a passion for learning and teaching.

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