I am mainly interested in teaching at the more mathematical end of probability and statistics. I have particular interest in teaching at the interface between probability models and statistical inference and engagement with applications. I do though also enjoy interactive teaching using simulation.
I put in considerable effort to make my lecture notes accessible and comprehensive. I adopt a common style of gaps in notes with my gaps covering all the examples. I use alot of graphical and visual aids to help understanding. Students however often judge a course primarily on whether they can do questions, so I spend considerable effort also to tie in coursework questions so that they build and stretch the students understanding. I like to engage with students during lecturing and often stop the lecturing to either get the students to discuss issues or to try out an approach. During this time I get the opportunity to explore and observe student understanding.
Current Teaching
STOR601 Training for Research and Industry: Co-coordinator and co-developer of this novel training course which is at the core of the training of the MRes component of the STOR-i Doctoral Training Centre.
Previous Teaching developments at Lancaster
I have developed and taught the first versions of the following courses which continue to run now in essentially the format that I developed:
- MATH104: the first year probability module (1992-98)
- MATH105: the first year statistics module (2001-04)
- MATH230: the second year probability module (2001-05)
- MATH350: 3rd year likelihood inference module (1993-99)
- MATH351: 3rd year Bayesian statistics module (1992-94)
- MATH451: masters/4th year advanced likelihood module (1992-2001)
- MATH452: masters/4th year extreme value theory and methods module (1993-2007)
- MSCI213: statistics module for Management School pre A-level students (2004-7)
Internal Teaching Related Responsibilities
- 1993-7: Part II and International Tutor
- 2007: Appointment panel member for Faculty Associate Dean for UG teaching
- 2010-: Director of Studies for MRes in Statistics and Operational Research
External Teaching Related Responsibilities
- 1997-2000: External examiner for the Statistics courses in the undergraduate Mathematics degree and all the Engineering courses, Imperial College.
- 1999-2002: External examiner for the Statistics courses in the UG and PGT degrees at Warwick University.
- 2003: Member of review panel of Mathematics Departments at Bath.
- 2003-7: External examiner to GDip/MSc in Statistics, University of Shefield.
- 2003-7: External examiner for UG and PGT Statistics modules, University of Essex.
- 2009: Member of review panel of Mathematics Department at St Andrews.
- 2011-5: External examiner for UG and PGT Statistics, University of Glasgow.