Professor Stephen Rutherford

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

Bioscience research background

My main bioscience research background is in plant molecular cell biology.

The genetic control of chloroplast division: My PhD and early post-doctoral work was focused around identifying the genetic mechanisms of chloroplast division.

Regulation of expression in transgenes: This area of work focused around the optimisation of artificial activators of gene expression in transgenes, as a means to improve the activity of transgenic constructs in plants.

Control of vesicle transport in plant cells: This area of work focused on the functional analysis and genomic characterisation of the Rab GTPase gene family which regulates vesicle targeting in eukaryotic cells. The particular focus of this work was characterising the 60 genes of the Rab GTPase gene family in the model plant Arabidopsis thaliana, and identifying the function of sub-families of Rabs.

Genetic control of testicular descent in dogs: This area of work is focused on identifying the genetic factors contributing to cryptorchidism (failure of testicular descent) in canines.

Pedagogic research and scholarship of learning & teaching

I am Head of the Education Division for the School of Biosciences, which focuses on scholarship of learning and teaching and pedagogic research. My own education research interests are focused around:

The development of Self-Regulated Learning (SRL) during the transition to and through University: This area of research focuses around the approaches students use for studying outside of the classroom, and how those skills change and develop during the progression from school to (and through) university. 

Assessment and Feedback: Student-Staff partnership in the development of effective assessment practices and assessment literacy. I recently led a €420,000 teaching development grant, a 3-year collaboratie project between 5 countries, funded by the EU via the Erasmus+ programme and the British Council. Click here to view the Eat-Erasmus project website

Collaborative learning and Personal Learning Networks: Collaborative learning, where learners develop a shared understanding by discussing ideas and challenging each other’s perceptions is a powerful learning tool. Most attention to collaborative learning is based on studies within the formal classroom setting; my interests are focused around how students interact with each other, and the value of collaborative learning in student-mediated learning outside of the classroom. This work has been funded by two grants from the Higher Education Academy, including a national Teaching Development Grant.

Digital literacy and Web 2.0 technologies in learning: The potential of collaborative (Web 2.0) technologies to support learning is considerable. My research in this area focuses on students’ engagement with Web 2.0 technologies and how to integrate them to support collaborative learning and students supporting each other’s learning.

Active learning and the flipped classroom: Flipped classroom approaches, where information delivery occurs before the face-to-face teaching session has a proven benefit to learning. My research in this area focuses on student engagement with flipped learning, active learning and authentic assessments, and which media are most effective for these approaches. 

Other research interests: Professional identity in managers of learning and teaching; the development of excellence in learning and teaching; the development of self-critical skills and self-analysis; student emotive responses to feedback. I also have an interest in the extent to which subject knowledge is retained between A-Level and university, student attainment during university study, and the role of learning strategies (deep, surface and strategic) in student approaches to learning.

Funded pedagogic research initiatives

Principal Investigator - Erasmus+ Collaborative EU Grant - 'Enhancing Equity, Agency, and Transparency in Assessment Practices in Higher Education'. Collaborative project with Universities of Bristol (UK), Minho (Portugal), Zaragoza (Spain) and EuroGeo (Belgium). (2020-2023) Project Website: https://www.eat-erasmus.org  

Principal Investigator – Cardiff University Teaching Innovation Grant – “Optimising engagement through digital media in Flipped Classroom pedagogies”. (2016-2018)

Principal Investigator – Higher Education Academy Teaching Development Grant – “Optimising methodologies of collaborative learning through Shadow Modules”. (2014-2015).

Partner in working group with OCR A-Level Exam Board: “Students’ Knowledge Retention – impact on syllabus design” (2012-2018). Project Leader Dr Harriet Jones, University of East Anglia.

Principal Investigator – Learning & Teaching Enhancement Fund Grant (HEA Wales) “Encouraging student partnership in curriculum delivery and design by using freeware technology to facilitate collaborative learning”. (2011)

Partner in HEA-funded initiative: “Students’ initial reaction to the feedback they receive on coursework” (2009-2010). Project Leader Dr Harriet Jones, University of East Anglia.

Collaborator in HEA-funded initiative: “Increasing the quality of feedback on assignments” (2006-2007). Project Leader Dr Harriet Jones, University of East Anglia.

Historical Research interests

The history of military surgery: Throughout history, war and conflict have driven innovation in many areas, especially medicine and surgical practice. This research interest assesses the extent to which historical surgical and medical approaches have a sound basis in science and cell biology, with a particular focus on the pioneering breakthroughs in surgical practice that occurred in the 17^th Century (many of which are still used today).

In 2015-16 I was part of the academic team which developed the highly-acclaimed “Battle Scarred” exhibition of 17^th Century medicine and welfare at the National Civil War Centre, Newark. I have also presented public seminars on 17thC Surgery at the National Civil War Centre, The Commandery Museum, Worcester, the University of the Third Age, and the Royal Society of Biology. I have contributed academic essays to the 'Civil War Petitions' project at the University of Leicester:

1) The ballistics and wound profiles of early modern gunshot wounds: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/manie-dangerous-woundes-and-shotts-the-physical-impact-of-gunshot-wounds-in-the-british-civil-wars/

2) The survivability of battlefield wounds in the early modern period: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/wounds-battlefield-trauma-and-their-survivability-in-the-british-civil-wars/

3) The treatment of gundshot wounds in the early modern period: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/the-personal-cost-of-war-injuries-from-firearms-and-their-treatment-during-the-civil-wars/

Teaching

Teaching specialisms

• Plant Biology
• Molecular Cell Biology
• Photosynthesis
• Molecular Genetics
• Membrane Trafficking
• Evolution
• Origins of Life and early evolutionary events
• History of Biology and the Scientific Method
• History of Surgery.

Continuing Professional Development

• Assessment and Feedback
• Innovative teaching approaches
• Flipped Learning and Active Learning
• Technology-enhanced education
• Educational Research methods.

Biography

I graduated with a BSc (Hons) Biology at the University of York in 1992, with specialisms in genetics and plant science. My BSc was followed by a Ph.D. on the genetic control of chloroplast division (1992-1996) in the lab of Professor Rachel Leech in the Department of Biology at the University of York (Ph.D. registered with the Open University). I then worked as a post-doctoral research associate on the role of FtsZ proteins in the control of plastid division at the University of Nevada, Reno, Nevada, USA. Following this project I worked as an adjunct faculty teacher at the Department of Biological Sciences at the University of Nevada, Reno (Jan 1998-May 1998), and California State University, Sacramento, California (August 1998-December 1998).

Following my period in the USA, I worked as a post-doctoral research associate in the Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford (1999-2005) in the lab of Dr Ian Moore, on a series of projects related to the regulation of transgenes in plants, and the regulation of membrane trafficking in plant cells.

I joined the School of Biosciences at Cardiff University in 2005. My main teaching areas are in genetics, molecular cell biology, plant biology, photosynthesis and the origins of life. From 2005-2007 I was Deputy Admissions Tutor for biomolecular degree schemes. I was the Year 1 Co-ordinator from 2007-2009. From 2009-17, I was Deputy Head of Teaching/Deputy Director of Undergraduate Education. I was appointed as Director of Undergraduate Education, and Head of the Education Division, in September 2017. Due to undertaking an ongoing secondment with the Centre for Education Support and Innovation, I relinquished this Director of Undergraduate Education role in July 2020.

I undertook a secondment with the Cardiff University Learning and Teaching Academy from September 2019-October 2022, as the Academic Lead for the Learning and Teaching CPD project. This project designed and sucessfully accredited a set of programmes for professional development in learning and teaching, aligned to the UK Professional Standards Framework (UKPSF) of AdvanceHE. This secondment is continuing through to October 2022, as Academic Lead for the suite of programmes being rolled out during 2021/22. I am also the academic lead for the  'Learning Commnities' project (2020 - current). I was also academic lead for the 'Training and Support' working group of the University's 'Digital Education Project', during the summer of 2020.

I gained a Masters in Education (MA(Ed) in 2009, focusing on curriculum and assessment, and science education.

I gained a Doctorate in Education (Ed.D;) in 2019. My Ed.D thesis, '‘Flying the nest’: An analysis of the development of self-regulated learning during the transition to Higher Education' focused on the development of self-regulated learning and personal learning networks in students, during the transition to university: http://centaur.reading.ac.uk/85473/ ).

I was awarded a prestigious UK National Teaching Fellowship in 2016.

I became a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) in 2015 and gained Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) in October 2024.

I was awarded the Cardiff University Excellence in Teaching award in 2015, the Cardiff University Excellence in Leadership award in 2024, and was shortlisted as 'Most Supportive Teacher' and for the general 'Enhancing Student Life Award ' in the 2016 Cardiff University Students' Union Enriching Student Life Awards, shortlisted for the Vice Chancellor's Award in the ESLAs in 2021.

Qualifications

• Doctorate in Education (Ed.D)
• Ph.D in Biosciences
• AdvanceHE Principal Fellow (PFHEA)
• Masters in Education (MA(Ed))
• Post-graduate Certificate in University Teaching and Learning (PCUTL)
• Certificate of Practical Leadership in University Management.
• BSc (Hons) in Biology
• AdvanceHE Senior Fellow (SFHEA)

Honours and awards

I was awarded a National Teaching Fellowship in 2016

I won the award for 'Excellence in Teaching' for the Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Awards in 2015, and the award for 'Excellence in Leadership' in 2024.

I became a Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) in 2024.

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
• Member of the Association of National Teaching Fellows (ANTF)
• Member and Treasurer (Committee Member) of the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows (IFNTF).
• Member of the RSB 'Biology Education Research Group' (BERG) since 2015
• Member of the Society for Research in Higher Education, British Educational Research Association; International Society for Learning Sciences; American Education Research Association; Association of Science Educators; Association for Learning Development in Higher Education; Association for Learning Technology; Genetics Society; Biochemical Society.

Academic positions

2019 - 2022: Academic Lead, Cardiff University Education Fellowship Framework

2005 - Present: Academic Staff, School of Biosciences, Cardiff University.

1999 - 2005: Postdoctoral Research Associate, Department of Plant Sciences, University of Oxford.

1998: Adjunct Teaching Faculty, School of Biosciences, Califonia State University Sacramento, CA. USA .

1998: Adjunct Teaching Faculty, School of Biosciences, University of Nevada, Revo, NV, USA.

1997 - 1998: Postdoctoral Research Associate, School of Biosciences, University of Nevada, Revo, NV, USA .

1992 - 1996: Research Assistant and PhD Student, Biology Department, University of York.

Committees and reviewing

Chair of the 'Education for Student Empowerment' Thematic Peer Group (2024-current) of the European Universities Association (a collaboration of 8 European Universities.

Member of the Steering Group for the International Network for Research-informed Assessment Practice (INRAP), the AdvanceHE (formerly HEA) Community of Practice in Assessment and Feedback.

Member of the Academic Steering Group for Learning and Teaching support for the Council for At Risk Academics.

Committee member and Treasurer of the International Federation of National Teaching Fellows ('IFNTF';  https://www.ifntf.org/page-committee ) 

Chair of the Digital Curriculum and Assessment 'Thematic Peer Group' (2021 - 2022) of the European Universities Association (a collaboration of 10 European Universities; report: https://eua.eu/resources/publications/1009:learning-teaching-thematic-peer-groups-2021.html )

Supervisions

I am interested in supervising PhD students in the areas of:

• Science Education;
• Self-Regulated Learning;
• Assessment;
• Transition to University;
• Collaborative Learning

Current PhD Students

I am currently supervising or co-supervising the following PhD projects:

• Rebecca Ferriday (2023-current; part-time) – What are the unintended consequences of playing Open World Roleplaying Games on the student experience.
• Isaac Myers (2023-current; part-time) - Exploring the influence of Collaborative Learning Experiences on Student Experience and the Learning Community
• Owen Griffiths (2022 - current; part time) - Characterising The Beneficial Properties Of Burkholderia Bacteria
• Connie Pritchard (2021-current; part-time) - Information literacy in bioscience: identifying and evaluating methods of bioscientific communication within the public sphere and Higher Education.
• Shiby Stephens (Viva passed, December 2024) - The relationship between classical languages, linguistic skills, and personality traits and their impact on medical education and student performance

Engagement

Community Engagement

Collaboration with the University of Namibia

I am part of the 'Phoenix Project', a collaboration between Cardiff University and the University of Namibia, which focuses on healthcare, teaching and research. My role is within the teaching aspect of this project, working closely with colleagues in the University of Namibia to develop a Teaching Excellence Framework.

For more information on The Phoenix Project, visit: https://www.cardiff.ac.uk/phoenix-project

Collaboration with national museums

On account of my interests in the biomedical validity of historical medical practices, I was part of the development of the "Battle Scarred" exhibition on wounds, surgery and war relief for the National Civil War Centre in Newark. This remains the most successful exhibition in this museum.

For more information, visit: http://www.nationalcivilwarcentre.com/news/battle-scarred.php

I have also had links with the University of Leicester's 'Civil War Petitions' project ( https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/ ), contributing three essays about the biomedical validity of 17thC surgical techniques:

1) The ballistics and wound profiles of early modern gunshot wounds: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/manie-dangerous-woundes-and-shotts-the-physical-impact-of-gunshot-wounds-in-the-british-civil-wars/

2) The survivability of battlefield wounds in the early modern period: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/wounds-battlefield-trauma-and-their-survivability-in-the-british-civil-wars/

3) The treatment of gundshot wounds in the early modern period: https://www.civilwarpetitions.ac.uk/blog/the-personal-cost-of-war-injuries-from-firearms-and-their-treatment-during-the-civil-wars/