What do you like most about your job?

Working with the next generation of engineers. They are open to new ideas and see the world in a different way and with different perspectives. I also enjoy trying out new approaches to education, and involving our students with those, as they are best placed to decide what works for them.
 
What makes a good teacher?

Being on a shared journey with students and seeing course material through their eyes and perspectives. I particularly enjoy project-based and intensive mode teaching where we are applying knowledge in new ways to new challenges, and building a shared learning community. Also, qualifications or formal training in teaching and learning are important.

Those have been a big help for me and the achievements I’ve made.
 
Who inspires you?

Students. I’ve been fortunate to work with a number of students making a positive contribution to social development and inclusion in Australia and overseas. Seeing these students study full-time engineering, which is a big enough commitment, but then also volunteer their time and put in extra effort to make a difference is inspiring. Our community partner, Engineers Without Borders Australia (EWB), has been a big inspiration for me over the last 10 years. EWB is an amazing, nurturing organisation where new ideas and creativity are encouraged and diversity fostered and respected. It has broken down many of the stereotypes and cultures present in most engineering organisations.
 
What is the best excuse you've ever received?

When telling someone material and assessment details were available on the course Wattle site, getting the response ‘what’s Wattle?’ (this was an academic).
 
What is the best lesson you have learnt from a student?

Engineering design can have major impacts on social inclusion. I was working with a student on how to include accessibility into water and sanitation projects when the student highlighted, from his/her own experience, the everyday challenges and exclusion that can occur from an engineering decision seemingly as simple as building a step rather than a ramp. I'm happy to say I am still collaborating with this student – we’ve incorporated a number of education activities with them into our core engineering courses.
 
What is the weirdest/funniest classroom or teaching experience you have had?

A first-year student saying they did not like a course I was running because they had to learn stuff, they could not just leave everything to the final exam, cram and then forget it all afterwards.

How do you relax when you’re out of the classroom?

Play LEGO with my daughter (and also My Little Pony). I’m lucky that I also sometimes get to play with LEGO inside the classroom.