Dr Anya Perera

National Teaching Fellow 2014 Throughout her teaching career at Writtle College, Dr Anya Perera has demonstrated a passion for enhancing student learning in a way that inspires and facilitates adjustment to higher education (HE) study. Her overall aim is to instil confidence in learners with diverse entry profiles, and she focuses on teaching science to non-scientists and engaging her students in a challenging yet supportive environment. Her interests focus on transition both at undergraduate and taught postgraduate levels, and on skills development helping students acquire attributes for their future careers in competitive job markets. At the very start of a students academic journey, when insecurities abound, Anya recognises the importance of student/tutor dialogue and provides tailored feedback. This has led to work on how students perceive formative assessment in relation to their own academic development. Anya's love of teaching started in a research intensive institute as a demonstrator for large laboratory classes. After a short spell teaching at further education (FE) level, she progressed to HE and continues to lead modules at all levels of the undergraduate and foundation degree programmes. While her current role embraces other administrative roles, she actively retains teaching commitments and continues to learn from her team of colleagues and from students helping to assess the impact of institutional strategies on the student experience. Through sector and industry links, Anya is now developing a specific skills programme for taught masters students that recognises the need for leadership and project planning and is leading to some exciting new assessments using live projects in conjunction with industry and the land-based sector. This, together with her experience of curriculum design and quality assurance, is helping to shape a new multidisciplinary approach to land-based courses.