Teaching context and philosophy

Pharmacology education presents unique challenges due to its breadth of knowledge, conceptual complexity, practical skill requirements, and the rapid evolution of new medicines. Additionally, it must deliver effective learning outcomes across multiple disciplines, including medicine, medical science, pharmacy, optometry, and other allied health areas. To address these challenges, I adopt an integrated and adaptive teaching strategy that emphasizes:

• Active and collaborative student-centred learning
• Curriculum alignment to ensure coherence between learning objectives, activities and assessments
• Engaging learning communities that foster interaction and peer support
• Authentic, work-related assessments that prepare students for real-world professional contexts
• Development of transferable skills enabling life-long learning

To achieve this, I encourage students to actively engage with concepts, question assumptions and collaborate in problem-solving activities. My goal is to create a learning environment where students not only acquire knowledge but also develop the confidence and competence to apply it in practice.

My academic career spans more than two decades across four universities: UNSW Sydney, University of Tasmania, University of Auckland, and AUT University. During this time, I have taught extensively in both undergraduate and postgraduate programs, covering a wide range of disciplines including medicine, medical science, pharmaceutical science, optometry, pharmacy and other allied health (nursing, paramedicine, podiatry, oral health). This breadth of experience has provided me with a deep understanding of the diverse learning needs and professional expectations across health and science education.

Since 2019, I have successfully held an education-focused academic role at UNSW, where I teach pharmacology within multiple undergraduate programs, I serve as the primary convener for Year 3 pharmacology courses in Vision Science and Optometry, Pharmaceutical Medicine and Clinical Pharmacy. In these roles, I design and deliver curricula that integrate foundational pharmacological principles with applied clinical and therapeutical contexts, ensuring students develop both conceptional understanding and practical competence. My commitment to teaching excellence is reflected in consistently strong student feedback and high myExperience satisfaction scores.

Beyond undergraduate teaching, I have contributed significantly to postgraduate education through leadership roles, including Academic Coordinator for UNSW’s Master of Pharmaceutical Medicine (2018-2020), the Master of Clinical Pharmacy and the Medicines Australia Continuing Education Program at the University of Tasmania (2013-2015). These responsibilities involved curriculum development, quality assurance, and fostering industry engagement, reinforcing my focus on aligning academic learning with professional practice and regulatory standards.

In addition to teaching and coordination, I have established a research profile in pharmacology education, particularly in the application of virtual reality technologies and the integration of core concepts to enhance learning outcomes. My work in this area has been recognised through peer-reviewed pharmacology education journals and presentations at national educational symposia.