People

Below you can see information about the Eden Centre staff, ordered by their teams and areas of work.

Director/Deputy Director

Academic Development

Eden Digital

Inclusive Education

Education Enhancement

Assessment Projects

Administrative team

 

Claire Gordon June 2016, cropped

 

Dr Claire Gordon, Director, LSE Eden Centre

KSW.5.01

email: c.e.gordon@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I am the Director of the LSE’s Postgraduate Certificate in Higher Education for career track staff, sit on a number of School Committees and working groups, and am the Departmental Adviser to the departments of Economic History, the European Institute, Government, International Relations and Sociology. I have particular interests in reward and recognition in higher education, developing research-based curricula to empower students in their learning, and assessment and feedback.

Prior to joining the Eden Centre (formerly the Teaching and Learning Centre) on a full-time basis I worked for ten years as a teaching fellow at the LSE’s European Institute with a particular focus on transition, EU enlargement and emerging political economies in Central and South East Europe. I have also been involved in a number of higher education and research capacity building projects in the Westerns Balkans.

Fung, Dilly and Claire Gordon (2016), 'Rewarding educators and education leaders in research-intensive universities' here: https://www.heacademy.ac.uk/sites/default/files/rewarding_educators_and_education_leaders.pdf 

Corbett, Anne and Claire Gordon. (2016 ). Written and oral evidence to the House of Commons Select Committee on Education inquiry on the impact of exiting the EU on higher education

 

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Stella Ekebuisi, Head, Digital Education Futures and Deputy Director, LSE Eden Centre

KSW.5.02

email: s.i.ekebuisi@lse.ac.uk 

Biography

As Head, Digital Education Futures, Stella is responsible for shaping how the LSE will use digital technologies to transform teaching and learning, both on campus and online. Her initial focus is to develop a plan that is ambitious - learning from and building on innovations in HE institutions across the globe - but that reflects the unique culture of the school and addresses the needs of our staff and students. 

Stella is also head of the Eden Digital team who provide support and staff development for LSE’s suite of educational technologies, such as Moodle, Turnitin and Echo 360. In this role, Stella and the team are to ensure that this range of technologies meets the current and future needs of the school, overseeing pilots, service reviews and institution-wide projects and programmes. 

Before joining LSE in October 2021, Stella worked at Queen Mary University of London where she was Head of E-Learning for 8 years and a senior learning technologist for a further 7 years prior to that.  She has extensive experience working with university staff at all levels, to realise their ambitions in digital education across all disciplines including social sciences, engineering and medicine. 

Academic Development 

 

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Mark Baltovic, Senior Academic Developer

KSW.5.05

email: m.p.baltovic@lse.ac.uk

Biography

My primary focus is on teaching in quantitative disciplines, supporting teachers and developers of quantitative courses across the School through workshops and individual consultations.

I am also responsible for the Eden Centre's GTA induction programme, as well as various workshops on our PGCertHE and Academic Development programmes.

I have a long association with the School, having first started as an undergraduate here before becoming a teacher and educational researcher.

Experiencing the School from both sides of the 'podium' gives me an intimate understanding of the teaching we do here, but I still find myself surprised and inspired through this job.

My continuing teaching of mathematical subjects, both on campus-based as well as distance-based courses, fuels and informs my educational research interests; specifically, active learning approaches in quantitative disciplines and the use of web-based technologies to support learning in such disciplines.

I have recently started to look into the gamification and course design which lies atop the intersection of these seemingly diverse research interests.

I am on Twitter as Mark Baltovic (@SubliminalMaths)

 

 

Jenni Carr, June 2016

 

Dr Jenni Carr, Senior Academic Developer

KSW.5.14

email: j.carr4@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Department adviser for Accounting, Geography and Environment, Psychological and Behavioural Sciences and Social Policy.

The other main areas I work on within the Eden Centre are:

  • Teaching research methods practice exchange forum.

  • Supervising PhD students workshops.

  • ‘Evaluating teaching’ module for the PG Certificate in Higher Education.

  • Development of teaching and learning resources.

Before coming to LSE I worked as Academic Developer for Social Sciences at the Higher Education Academy. My role involved providing leadership and academic guidance on the development and implementation on strategic projects. Themes for strategic projects included teaching research methods; active and experiential learning; employability and global citizenship; and, and supporting development teaching and learning in disciplines affected by significant policy changes.

For further details of experience and publications LinkedIn: https://uk.linkedin.com/in/jennicarr

I have a particular interest in the role of creativity in teaching and learning and explore this topic with academic development colleagues from three other universities via lacunaeblog.com.

Twitter @jennicarr8 

 

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Dr Marina Franchi, Senior Academic Developer

KSW.5.05

email: m.franchi@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I am the department adviser to the Departments of International History, Philosophy, Logic and Scientific Method and (with Mark Baltovic) Methodology. I support the organization of the Atlas program, a year-round series of academic development workshops and events for staff at the school 

I am interested in learning design, with a particular focus on interdisciplinary teaching and learning practices.  

I have a background in quantitative and qualitative research across sociology, gender and media studies and extensive experience of teaching and curriculum development in HE institutions within and outside the UK. Prior to joining Eden, I worked as a Fellow in LSE100, LSE's flagship interdisciplinary course for all undergraduate students.

 

 

Esther Saxey

 

Dr Ellis Saxey, Senior Academic Developer

KSW.5.05

email: e.saxey@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I work as an academic developer in the Eden Centre. I coordinate two LSE student research initiatives:  Change Makers and LSE GROUPS. I also support the PG Certificate HE, and work with the Departments of Anthropology, Gender Studies, Media and Communications, LSE100 and the Language Centre.

I have particular interests in innovative assessment, deterring plagiarism, and the politics of pedagogy. I have worked in teaching and learning units at Goldsmiths, and the University of East London. Before joining LSE, I taught in Universities for over a decade in fields connected to literature and to gender/sexuality (see selected publications here).

 

 

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Lee-Ann Sequeira, Senior Academic Developer

email: l.sequeira@lse.ac.uk

KSW.5.11

Biography

I am the department adviser to Economics, Finance, International Development, Law, and Public Policy and work closely with them to enhance and evolve their teaching, curriculum design, and student learning and engagement. I lead the Atlas programme, which is a year-round series of academic development workshops and events for staff at the school and also teach on the Postgraduate Certificate of Higher Education and other professional development programmes run by the Eden Centre.

I am interested in adopting and fostering a critical, multi-perspectival approach to higher education, and am the editor of two blogs – the LSE Higher Education Blog and the Contemporary Issues in Teaching and Learning blog. Having lived, studied, and taught in different education systems and countries, I am passionate about fostering all forms of diversity (ideological, cultural, etc.) in HE. Areas of scholarship and research I am involved in are critical academic development, viewpoint diversity, and pluralist approaches to higher education. 

Sequeira, L. 2021. The problem with silent students – it’s us, not them. In M. Heron and D. Dippold (eds), Meaningful Teaching Interaction at the Internationalised University: Moving from Research to Impact. Routledge.

Sequeira, L. 2021. Academic developers should be critical in the culture wars. WonkHE

Sequeira, L., Bozzani, F. and Guiness, L. 2016. Formative Multiple Choice Questions: How can technology-enhanced learning promote deep learning among distance learners? RIDE Conference 2017, University of London, London.

Alex Standen

 

Dr Alex Standen, Head, Academic Development

email: a.m.standen@lse.ac.uk

KSW.5.15

Biography

As Head, Academic Development, I am responsible for the Eden Centre’s team of Academic Developers who deliver a wide and varied programme of events, workshops and programmes for all LSE staff who teach and support learning. The Academic Development team also work closely with academic departments to offer guidance and development in teaching and learning, curriculum enhancement, and assessment and feedback.

I have a particular interest in developing supervisors, academic mentors and anyone who works one-to-one with students through coaching approaches and the development of positive research and teaching cultures. Recently, I have worked more extensively with educational leaders and am Co-Chair of the Education Career Track network and responsible for Eden Fellows, our Advance HE accredited scheme for all staff to gain professional recognition for their experience and expertise in higher education teaching and learning support.

Prior to joining the Eden Centre, I worked for 8 years in UCL’s Arena Centre where I led a variety of academic development programmes. Before this, I taught Italian and European Studies at the Universities of Birmingham and Auckland, having gained my doctorate in contemporary Italian literature.

 

Yang Yang

 

Dr Yang Yang, Senior Academic Developer

email: y.yang170@lse.ac.uk

KSW.5.11

Biography

 I am an academic adviser in the Eden Centre, and work closely with the Departments of Accounting, Health Policy and Management. I also teach on the PGCert and other professional development programmes run by the Eden Centre.

I have particular interests in learning design, dialogic teaching and internationalisation of HE. Before joining LSE, I worked as a lecturer in HE Teaching and Learning at the university of Greenwich and a post-doc researcher on an educational technology R&D project at the university of Exeter. I earned a PhD in learning sciences from the university of Nottingham. 

 

Eden Digital 

 

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Naman Ali, Learning Technologist

KSW.4.01

email: n.ali9@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Naman Ali is a Learning Technologist with several years of experience working in higher education. Before focussing on learning technologies, he designed and delivered technical instruction on undergraduate and MA courses in film production.

Naman is keen to help colleagues to exploit the opportunities that learning technologies can afford in support of pedagogical aims. He is also passionate about supporting the acquisition of digital literacy with particular focus on the audio-visual.

Outside of his work for the Eden Centre Naman is passionate about world cinema. He also enjoys photography and is in the process of learning Japanese.

 

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Gian Battaglia, LT Systems Support Specialist

KSW.4.01

email: g.battaglia1@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Gian is an AV specialist (AVIXA CTS) working within the Eden Centre. Gian works in a two-man team of Echo360 lecture recording System Administrators who are responsible for the entire lecture recording activity that takes place across campus as well as remotely, including maintenance of physical equipment, scheduling of module recordings, publishing recordings to the LMS, editing video and audio enhancement on recordings where necessary.

Gian started his journey at LSE in the DTS department working within the AV team and was seconded to the Eden Centre in March 2020. His role was made permanent in March 2021.

Aside from his position within the Eden Centre, Gian is deeply passionate about electronic/ambient and neoclassical music.

 

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Dr Sarah Crofton, Learning Technologist

KSW.4.01

email: s.crofton@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Dr Sarah Crofton is a Learning Technologist with a background in academia. Before joining the Eden Centre she taught in universities for six years, designing and delivering undergraduate and MA courses in literary studies. She has experience in developing digital solutions for research projects and in helping others to learn new tools.

Sarah believes strongly in the capacity of technology to help make HE more open and inclusive. She is particularly interested in issues of accessibility and usability - for both students and educators.

 

 

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Sonja Grussendorf, Senior Learning Technologist

KSW.4.01

email: s.grussendorf@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Adviser for European Institute, Government, International Development, Media and Communications and Social Policy. 

Sonja is particularly interested in the use of social media for teaching, interactive classroom technologies, e.g. voting systems, digital identity and changing assessment practices (incl. academic integrity). Her approach to educational technologies is deliberately critical, and educationally led rather than kit-led: educational technologies must be fit for educational purpose; ideally technology should provoke change where necessary, i.e. where it aids to progress & improve teaching practice.

 

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Dan Lewis, Learning Technology Systems Support Specialist

KSW.4.01

email: d.lewis2@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Dan is one of the Eden Centre's Echo360 lecture recording System Administrators. Dan’s lecture recording system duties are to ensure integrations between Echo360 and other systems are functional and to make sure timetabled lectures are scheduled for recording. Furthermore, through training and working closely with academics, Dan can help them to use the system more effectively by integrating the use of it into curriculum design and in turn develops a better learning experience for students.

 

Eoin Meade Profile Pic

 

Eoin Meade, Learning Technologist

KSW 4.02

email: e.a.meade@lse.ac.uk

Biography

With a background in Media education, Eoin is interested in the ways technology can be used to support independent learning and encourage collaboration.

He is keen to develop multi-modal approaches to teaching and learning, using technology to increase participation and student engagement.

 

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Darren Moon, Senior Learning Technologist

KSW.4.01

email: d.p.moon@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Adviser for Anthropology, Economics, Finance, Gender Studies, International Relations and Management.

Darren works closely with departmental colleagues to develop pedagogically sound use of technologies and improve student learning outcomes. Darren co-teaches the course ‘IR318: Visual International Politics’ and advises colleagues across the school on filmmaking and visual methods for teaching and assessment. He has presented widely both in the UK and internationally, is experienced in designing and developing online and blended learning solutions in a variety of contexts. Darren manages the learning technology content development function within the Eden Centre.

 

Abigail Myers - LSE Bio

 

Abigail Myers, Learning Technologist 

KSW.4.02

email: a.a.myers@lse.ac.uk 

Biography

Abigail is a Learning Technologist based in the Eden Centre at the LSE. She has experience working within UK Higher Education Institutions to support and develop the use of learning technologies by faculty and students. Particularly, she has been involved in projects focusing on the use of learning technologies for assessment, blended learning, and interactive learning content.  

With an academic background in Biological Sciences, Abigail has an interest in Environmental Policy/Sustainable Development and the use of technology to tackle climate change. She is also involved with Thames21 as a volunteer Citizen Scientist.  

Connect with Abigail on LinkedIn

 

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Kris Roger, Senior Learning Technologist

KSW 5.10

email: k.roger@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Adviser for Law, Mathematics, Methodology and Statistics.

Kris has a wide range of interests and expertise including use of technology for flipped learning such as screencasts and lecture recording; innovation in learning spaces design for more active forms of learning; educational use of digital media and effective and active use of the VLE. 

 Inclusive Education

 

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Dr Akile Ahmet, Head, Inclusive Education

KSW.3.10

email: a.ahmet@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I am the Head of Inclusive Education at LSE. I also hold Senior Fellow status from the Higher Education Academy. I was previously a Senior Lecturer in the sociology of race and racism at Middlesex University where I developed, taught and led modules on race and racism, deconstructing sociology and race and social justice.

My research is focussed on having a direct and significant impact in terms of student experience and curriculum. I have developed an innovative and unique research area on spaces of power and resistance in higher education, and have worked on three key research projects in this field: ‘Progression and Diversity of Social Work Students across eight different UK Universities’ and ‘Race in the Academy’ and ‘Decolonisation: meaning and action’.

I have bridged my teaching and research in innovative ways so that knowledge garnered from my research projects is always used to improve teaching delivery, curriculum design and impact the institutions where I am working. This is through having direct impact with policy makers. I have led two national research projects with external stakeholders. In 2008 after completing my PhD I worked on a Department of Health funded project entitled ‘Progression and Diversity of Social Work Students in England (DH, 2011)’. The project explored the experiences of social work students from black and minority ethnic backgrounds, disabled students and students who identified as lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender. The project’s wider pedagogical impact was on teaching, learning, and practice through providing evidence based approaches which advocates for diversifying the curriculum teaching and delivery.

In 2016 I was appointed the lead researcher at LSE on a project entitled ‘Race in the Academy’. The research focused on the experiences of race and racism of both postgraduate students and staff of colour studying at Russell group institutions.

I am also an active member of the RACE in Geography Royal Geographical Society working group, for which I have delivered two workshops based on my research and teaching and I have a forthcoming paper entitled ‘Who is worthy of a place on these walls?’ which is currently being considered for publication.

Education Enhancement

 

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Nyssa Lee-Woolf, Head, Education Enhancement Projects

KSW.5.15

email: n.lee-woolf@lse.ac.uk

Biography

As Head, Education Enhancement Projects I lead the newest team in the Eden Centre. Our focus is on supporting meaningful educational enhancement through functional areas and particular projects and programmes aligned to educational strategic priorities. I am responsible for the educational aspects of departmental monitoring and departmental review, support the School’s response to external frameworks such as TEF and for development of educational strategic workstreams on learning communities and student mental health and wellbeing. My team also supports LSE priorities in Student Partnership, Evaluation, Civic Engagement and Sustainability. 

 

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Lydia Halls, Student Partnership Manager

KSW.5.12

email: l.halls@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I primarily work to embed principles of engaging with students as partners across LSE. I look after LSE Change Makers (with Ellis Saxey) and the Student Education Panel, and draw on Students as Partners (SaP) research from across the sector to advise colleagues through workshops, resources and one-to-one guidance. In addition, I work closely with colleagues from across the School and SU to champion students’ voices, feedback and representation.

Prior to joining the Eden Centre, I worked in LSE’s Student Services Centre and Residential Life team. My previous roles centred around student transition (specifically new student induction/orientation); peer mentoring; communities and belonging; and advice and pastoral support.

I earned a Postgraduate Certificate in Student Engagement in Higher Education (Distinction) from the University of Winchester in 2021, and graduated with an MSc in Gender (Merit) from the LSE Department of Gender Studies in 2018.  

 

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Emily Harrison, Civic Engagement Officer

email: e.harrison1@lse.ac.uk

Biography

As LSE’s Civic Engagement Officer, I manage work that furthers our social outreach aims and enables students to interact with the external community.

One of these projects is our Public Research Partnerships Programme, which partners external organisations with students and academics to undertake research to solve a real world problem.

I also manage LSE’s participation in CIVICA; a network of eight European Universities focused on civic and social engagement. You can find out more here: Members of CIVICA (lse.ac.uk)

 

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Martina Rotolo, Programme Manager

email: m.rotolo@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Martina is Programme Manager in the Education Enhancement Projects team. She is responsible for coordinating the development and implementation of the Education for Sustainability initiative.

Martina is also Research and Communications Officer at LSE London and a PhD student in Planning Studies at the UCL Bartlett School of Planning. Her current research primarily deals with issues of urban food governance, sustainable urban food environments, housing policy and urban planning. Her PhD research project investigates the role of food markets in cities and explores whether London's food markets can still be considered inclusive spaces that serve local communities by providing healthier and more accessible food, or whether they have gradually transformed into gentrified and touristy food hubs.

Martina graduated from LSE in 2020 and holds a MSc in Regional and Urban Planning Studies. In recent years, she has been Blue Book Trainee at the European Commission's Directorate-General for Regional and Urban Policy; and ORAM Research fellow at the LSE Department of Geography and Environment, assisting Associate Professor Nancy Holman's research on healthy housing in the UK. Prior to joining LSE, she graduated in Public Policy from LUISS Guido Carli University in Rome and worked in the fields of public affairs and social impact.

 

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Jonathan Schulte, Evaluation Manager

KSW.5.14

email: j.t.schulte@lse.ac.uk

Biography

I work as Evaluation Manager in the Eden Centre, with focus on embedding research and evaluation in the work done as part of the "Access and Participation Plan" and the "Inclusive Education Action Plan". For this, I am working closely with colleagues running projects across the School to understand if our work is having the impact we – and the regulator – want it to have. I also conduct research into teaching and learning at LSE and the HE sector and support the development of LSE's Evaluation Framework.

Assessment Projects

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Simon Walker, Assessment Lead Consultant

email: s.walker7@lse.ac.uk

 

 

Biography

I am the assessment lead consultant at the Eden Centre, working closely with the Education and Directorate support team on assessment strategy at LSE. I have previously held posts as Head of Educational Development at the University of Greenwich and Director of Programme Development  at UCL, and undertaken a number of education project in the Global South funded by the British Council and World Bank.

I am currently leading a Jisc project - 'Rethinking Assessment and Feedback in Higher Education” exploring ideas and practices in the post-Covid, Generative AI-infused higher and further education environment. I continue to undertake strategic work at many leading universities in the sector including UCL, Kings College, Southampton and Manchester.  

Administrative team

 

Nicole Nathan

 

Nicole Nathan, Centre Manager

KSW.5.04

email: n.a.nathan@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Responsible for:

  • PGCertHE programme management

  • Centre Administration

  • Financial administration and planning

  • HR in the Eden Centre

Previous employment:

  • Queen Mary University of London: Centre Manager.

  • BT: Middleware VVT Manager – CSS.

  • Foreign and Commonwealth Office.

BA (Hons) English Language and Literature

 

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Chris Doughty, Programme Administrator

KSW.5.03

email: c.g.doughty@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Responsible for:

Previous Employment:

  • King’s College London

  • Kaplan Financial

  • INTO University Partnerships

BA (Hons) Politics with North American Studies

 

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David Faggiani, Comms & Digital Manager

KSW.5.03

email: a.d.faggiani@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Responsible for:

Previous Employment:

  • London South Bank University

  • Leeds Building Society

  • Scottish Government

MA (Hons) English and Film

 

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Viney Kumar, Administrator

KSW.5.03

email: v.kumar18@lse.ac.uk

Telephone: 0207 107 5749

Biography

Previous Employment:  

  • Parliament-Hill 

  • CEME  

  • Pass the Keys UK 

Degree: BSc (Hons) Business and Management (Marketing)  

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Chanel Leadeham, Project Support Officer

KSW.5.03

email: c.leadeham@lse.ac.uk

Biography

Chanel is currently providing temporary support & assistance to Dr. Claire Gordon as well as providing wider admin support for the Eden Centre Admin Team.