A undergraduate study group at the School

Educational research

Educational research (LiScERG)

The Life Sciences Educational Research Group (LiScERG) provides a forum for discussion and dissemination of learning and teaching scholarship at the School of Life Sciences and surrounding research institutes at the University of Liverpool.  

We aim to promote and support:

  • Excellence in learning and teaching by the evidence-based design, implementation and evaluation of teaching innovation.
  • Enhancement of student experience.
  • Development and discussion of both proposed and ongoing educational research 
  • Research into a wide range of educational areas relating to Life Sciences, with dissemination of results both internally and externally.
  • Career development of colleagues through excellence in the practice and scholarship of teaching.
  • Development of student educational research projects. 
  • Applications for external funding for educational research projects.
  • Sharing of relevant educational literature, CPD and good practice.

View our group members profiles.

 

Publications

  • Voelkel S, Bates A, Gleave T, Larsen C, Stollar EJ, Wattret G, Mello LV. (2023)Lecture capture affects student learning behaviour. FEBS Open Bio. 2023 Feb;13(2):217-232. DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13548. Epub 2023 Jan 16. 
  • Mello LV, Watson HR.(2022) A special issue of Essays in Biochemistry on current educational developments in molecular biosciences. Essays in Biochemistry, 2022, 66(1) 1-3. DOI: 10.1042/EBC20220032.
  • Eskild W, May G, Michelangeli F, Minchin S, Roberts M, Sağın F, Scott P, Mello LV and Watson H. (2021) Evolving molecular bioscience education. The Biochemist 2021 43(4): 49. DOI: 10.1042/bio_2021_160
  • Awais, R. & 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. DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13299
  • Mello, L.V & Wattret, G. (2021) Developing transferable skills through embedding reflection in the science curriculum. Biophys Rev. DOI: 10.1007/s12551-021-00852-3
  • Mello, L. V., Varga-Atkins, T., & Edwards, S. W. (2021) A structured reflective process supports student awareness of employability skills development in a science placement module. FEBS OpenBio - Education Section. DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13158
  • Voelkel, S., Varga-Atkins, T. & Mello, L.V. (2020) Students tell us what good written feedback looks like. FEBS OpenBio - Education Section. DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.12841
  • Voelkel, S., Mello, L.V. & Varga-Atkins, T. (2018) Supporting students during their undergraduate research projects using audio recordings. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 55(4) pp 433-440. DOI: 10.1080/14703297.2016.1263233
  • Mello, L.V. & Voelkel, S. (2017) How undergraduate and postgraduate science students perceive self- and peer-assessed group work. Practice and Evidence of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning in Higher Education. 12(1) pp 22-44. DOI: 10.11120/beej.2014.00022
  • Mello, L.V., Tregilgas, L, Cowley, G , Gupta, A, Makki, F, Jhutty, A & Shanmugasundram, A (2017) Students-as-partners' scheme enhances postgraduate students' employability skills while addressing gaps in bioinformatics education. Higher education pedagogies. 2(1) pp 43-57 DOI: 10.1080/23752696.2017.1339287
  • Voelkel, S., Mello L.V. & Varga-Atkins, T. (2016) Supporting students during their undergraduate research projects using audio recordings. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. DOI: 10.1080/14703297.2016.1263233
  • Mello, L.V. (2016) Fostering postgraduate student engagement: online resources supporting self-directed learning in a diverse cohort. Research in Learning Technology. 24(1). DOI: 10.3402/rlt.v24.29366.
  • Voelkel, S. & Mello, L.V. (2014) 'Audio Feedback – Better Feedback?' Bioscience Education.22(1). pp 16-30. DOI: 11120/beej.2014.00022
  • Voelkel, S. (2013) Combining the formative with the summative: the development of a two stage online test to encourage engagement and provide personal feedback in large classes. Research in Learning Technology. 21(2013). DOI: 3402/rlt.v21i0.19153.
  • Voelkel, S. & Bennett, D. (2013) New uses for a familiar technology: introducing mobile phone polling to large classes. Innovations in Education and Teaching International. 51(1). pp 46-58. DOI: 1080/14703297.2013.770267

 

Conference Presentations (Invited Speaker)

  • Mello LV (2023) Supporting and evidencing scholarship. Evolving Molecular Biosciences Education, Manchester, UK.
  • Mello LV (2023) The process of educational research and its benefits to teaching practices. SEB Centenary Conference, Edinburgh, UK.
  • Wattret, G., Golding, L. & Delaney, J. (2022). Enterprise in the Life Sciences Challenge: Bridging the gap through enterprise education to enhance student employability and success. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference
  • Mello LV (2022) Keynote speaker: Educational research and scientific training. HDBMB Congress: From Science to Knowledge, Brela, Croatia.
  • Mello LV (2022) Research on education. HDBMB Workshop, Zagreb, Croatia.
  • Mello LV (2022) Federation of Europeans Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Education Workshop, Izmir, Turkey, Plenary lecture, “Education research & challenges achieving publication”.
  • Goodman, S., Gleave, T. & Floyd, R. (2021). Concept to reflections: Staff & Student perspective of Life Sciences Practical Design in a Virtual Environment. Bioscience Education Summit, Royal Holloway University, UK.
  • Mello LV (2021) Developing transferable skills through embedding reflection in the science curriculum. Symposium on evidence based teaching in your biomolecular classroom: catalysing student engagement, University of Minho, Braga, Portugal.
  • Stollar, E. & Awais, R. (2021). Lessons learned from extensive demonstrator training in Biosciences teaching laboratories. Evolving Molecular Bioscience Education, UK.
  • Wattret, G. & Delaney, J. (2021). Using technology to develop commercial awareness and digital interview skills for Life Sciences Students. University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, UK.
  • Wattret, G., Gleave, T. & Floyd, R. (2021). Student Perceptions of the role of academic advisor and their experiences in the School of Life Sciences. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.
  • Awais, R. & Stollar, E. (2020). Enhancing students' lab-based learning experience through extensive training of demonstrators. In Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy. The University of Nottingham, UK.
  • Awais, R. & Stollar, E. (2020). Training the trainers to enhance students learning in laboratory-based teaching environment. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.
  • Wattret, G. (2020). Lecture Attendance and Podcasts: A comparison of students' perceptions and usage patterns for introductory information in a skills-based tutorial module. University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, UK.
  • Awais, R. (2019). Small steps - multiple impacts; combining outreach activity with authentic assessment to allow active learning. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.
  • Mello LV (2019) Federation of Europeans Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Education Workshop, Tbilisi, Georgia, Plenary lecture, “Reflecting on and recording evidence of acquired transferable Skills”.
  • Mello LV (2019) Federation of Europeans Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Education Workshop, Marrakech, Morocco, Plenary lecture, “Reflecting on and recording evidence of acquired transferable Skills”.
  • Gleave, T., Alston, P., Prescott, D., Grubb, B. & Adamonyte, V. (2019). Supporting the transition to HE: Reflections and evaluation of the design, development and delivery of a MOOC to promote discipline engagement. SOLSTICE, Edge Hill, UK.
  • Stollar, E. (2019). Why are we doing this experiment anyway? Engaging students in a large molecular biology practical course. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.
  • Mello LV (2018) Federation of Europeans Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Education Workshop, Zagreb, Croatia, Plenary lecture, “International students”.
  • Gleave, T., Hickey, J., Adamonyte, V., Alston, P., Prescott, D. & Grubb, B. (2018) 'Stepping out of the unknown' Reflections and evaluation of the design, development and delivery of a MOOC to promote discipline engagement. University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, UK.
  • Stollar, E. (2018). Spreadsheet DoE: An educational tool for design of experiments in biochemistry. Evolving molecular bioscience education, University of Chester, UK
  • Mello LV (2017) Federation of Europeans Biochemical Societies (FEBS) Education Workshop, Jerusalem, Israel, Plenary lecture, “Enhancing postgraduate students’ employability skills while addressing gaps in bioinformatics education”.
  • Gleave, T. & McNeill, A. (2017) ‘Stepping into the unknown' Developing a Massive Open Online Course to support discipline engagement. University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, UK.
  • Voelkel, S., Alston, P., Dillon, V. & Varga-Atkins, T. (2016). 'Taking the employer’s view helps students prepare for their job hunt'. Inspire to succeed: Transforming teaching and learning in STEM - HEA STEM Conference. 28-29 January. Nottingham, UK. 
  • Mello, L.V., Shanmugasundram, A., Tregilgas, L., Cowley, G., Gupta, A., Jhutty, A. & Makki, F. (2016) '"Students-as-partners" scheme enhances postgraduate students' employability while addressing gaps in bioinformatics education'. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.
  • Voelkel, S., Mello, L.V. & Varga-Atkins, T. (2016) 'Supporting students during their undergraduate research project'. University of Liverpool Pedagogic Research Conference, UK.  
  • Hammond, K. (2015) "Drinking like a fish": Redesigning an introductory practical. Recognising and Sharing Teaching Excellence : 13th University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, 2nd July 2015, University of Liverpool, Liverpool.
  • Mello, L.V. & Bates, A. (2015) 'Reflective research project assessment using PebblePad'. Recognising and Sharing Teaching Excellence: 13th University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, 2nd July 2015, University of Liverpool, Liverpool.
  • Voelkel, S., Bates, A., Varga-Atkins, T. & Willis, I. (2015) 'How our students experience their first year at university'. Recognising and Sharing Teaching Excellence : 13th University of Liverpool Learning and Teaching Conference, 2nd July 2015, University of Liverpool, Liverpool.
  • Mello, L.V., Bates, A. & Alston, P. (2015) 'Reflective research project assessment using PebblePad'. 2015 SOLSTICE Conference, 4-5th June 2015, Edge Hill University, Ormskirk, Lancashire.
  • Allen, F. (2015) 'Using blogs to enhance student engagement'. LJMU Teaching and Learning Conference, 17-18th June 2015, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool.
  • Mello, L.V., Cowley, G. & Smikovic, F. (2015) 'Exploiting inter-cohort student partnerships for learning and teaching'. LJMU Teaching and Learning Conference, 17-18th June 2015, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool.
  • Voelkel, S. (2015) 'A two-stage online test design provides formative assessment and feedback irrespective of class size'. LJMU Teaching and Learning Conference, 17-18th June 2015, Liverpool John Moores University, Liverpool.
  • Mello, L.V. (2015) 'Staff-student Partnership And Peer Facilitation Fostering Student Engagement and Teaching Skills Development'. 2015 XJTLU Annual Learning and Teaching Staff Colloquium, 17th April 2015, Xian-Jiaotong Liverpool University, Suzhou, China.

View our group members profiles.