Professor Fiona Tweed

Fiona Tweed is Professor of Physical Geography at Staffordshire University. She is an international expert on glacial outburst floods and natural hazards with over 25 years' experience of collaborative field research. The interdependencies between research and teaching are at the heart of her work. She is an inspirational educator and a leader in the field of research-engaged learning and teaching in Geography, with extensive experience of designing learning environments that enable students to be directly involved in research. Impact of work In the context of research on glacial processes, Fiona has led many 'citizen science' field research expeditions in challenging environments in Iceland, thereby widening participation and enabling knowledge exchange. She cascaded this model into the design and delivery of several research-informed learning projects, developing undergraduate fieldwork using inquiry-based investigative field team approaches and assessments that ground students in the research process. She also devised the Geography Research Assistantship, an innovative undergraduate module that gives students the opportunity to act as research assistants, working with staff and external clients. This model has diffused to other disciplines and has transformative impacts on student learning and employability. Her support and enthusiasm for learning goes beyond students at Staffordshire University and ranges from school education to life-long learning. Fiona frequently addresses audiences of up to 2000 people at national student conferences. She also designed and produced an integrated exhibition of enlarged photographs and narrative on her field research in Iceland, which she subsequently took to schools, societies and general interest groups as part of a road show. She has extensive experience of managing earth science knowledge exchange and her work has translated into other disciplines and learning environments, demonstrating impact well beyond her subject. Plans for the future Fiona will continue to design and develop excellent research-engaged learning environments for students, particularly targeting technology-supported learning in fieldwork contexts. Anticipating the changing needs of students with technologically-mediated lives is vital to supporting their learning. Fiona is committed to raising the profile of geography education and will continue to develop her role as an accessible and approachable advocate for her discipline.