Dr Martin Luck

National Teaching Fellow 2011 Dr Martin Luck has contributed to teaching and learning developments across the University of Nottingham and twice received its Lord Dearing Award for excellence. Importantly he was nominated for the second award, in 2010, by his students. Martin is passionate about understanding and explaining things. He believes that complex ideas are accessible to everyone if presented in the right way: facts are hard to learn and it's much easier to follow a chain of related ideas. He teaches by drawing students through the fascination of biological processes. They comment: "You have a knack of asking questions to help us think through the answers for ourselves. Not many people can do that. It's amazing what you know when you really think about it" and "Fab lectures. Wish I had more... by him [and] more lecturers used his approach." Martin is known nationally and internationally for promoting research as the best way for undergraduates to own their subject. He wrote a guide for students and has spoken widely about the benefits of learning through research. Students gain skills plus the intellectual satisfaction of experiencing the 'limits of confident knowledge'. By stepping to the edge, peering over and discovering more, they appreciate that knowledge is ephemeral, understanding is provisional and progress is challenging. Martin believes all students are capable of undertaking this adventure provided they have a structured research task and a supportive environment. He has defined the characteristics of a satisfactory project and provided guidelines for staff and students developing investigations. Much research by undergraduates is of high quality yet remains hidden on departmental shelves. Martin set up a showcase for research in his School and, with colleagues in four other universities and Oxford University Press, established Bioscience Horizons, the National Journal of Undergraduate Research. BH publishes expert-reviewed papers by students. Authors commented: "My [publication] provided me with recognition from peers, tutors and prospective employers." "Publication is the event I am most proud of to date. It represents recognition for such hard work and focus and was the first time I truly recognised my potential."