OM DENNE EPISODE
One of the most enjoyable parts of doing a science degree is getting stuck in doing practical work and seeing science in action in the lab. Yet these can also be the most stressful environments for learning and very challenging for many students. Today, I’m speaking with Gina Washbourn, a senior lecturer in Chemistry here at Liverpool, who is particularly interested in this issue and has done a lot of work on understanding what students find challenging in lab environments and how we can make these spaces more inclusive for all our students. So welcome, Gina, to our podcast.Guest
Dr Gina Washbourn is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry at the University of Liverpool. With a background in Medicinal Chemistry, her work now focuses on chemical education, particularly student skill development, assessment for learning, and the effective integration of digital tools to enhance learning. She has a strong interest in laboratory education, working to create inclusive and supportive lab environments that reduce student anxiety and build confidence in practical skills. Her teaching also incorporates principles of sustainability and responsible scientific practice within the chemistry lab curriculum. Gina is committed to student partnership in curriculum design and pedagogic research and is actively involved in outreach and science communication to promote engagement with chemistry beyond the university.
The Academy’s Developing Practice Podcast is produced by The Academy, University of Liverpool. The role of the Academy is to promote and enable organisational excellence through the strategic development of the University’s people and practices. To find out more about the work of The Academy check out: https://www.liverpool.ac.uk/the-academy/
Music & FX: This podcast uses sounds from https://freesound.org/s/417560/ and music from https://www.purple-planet.com
