Dr Robert Wilson

Research

I am interested in all aspects of learning, in particular mathematics education that focuses on the development of active and engaging learning environments.

Scholarship of Teaching and Learning

• Head of Mathematics Education Research Group, MERG (2018-present).
• Higher Education Teaching and Learning Series Workshop; Enhancing Mathematical Research and Scholarship, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (2022). 
• Teaching and Learning in Higher Education Workshop; Effective approaches to large group teaching in higher education mathematics, London Mathematical Society (2020)
• Higher Education Teaching and Learning Series Workshop; Effective feedback in mathematics: provision and student
  engagement, Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (2019)
• Mentor, Education Fellowship Programme, Cardiff University. (2021-present)
• Organising committee for the International CETL-MSOR conference (2018- present). 

Selection of reports and publications

• Wilson, R. H., Pugh, M. J., and Guns, J., (2022) Effective feedback in mathematics: provision and
  student engagement, IMA Workshop Report [online]
• Step-Up Programme Plan, Mathematics and Numeracy, Cardiff University (2019) 
• Wilson, R. H., and Pugh, M. J. (2019) Effective feedback in mathematics: provision and student
  engagement, IMA Workshop Report [online]
• External Assessor Report, Mathematics and Statistics Help – MASH, Bath University (2018)
• Cardiff University Report, ACODE-UK Technology Enhanced Learning Benchmarking Summit
  (2017) [Australasian Council for Open, Distance and E-learning]
• Mathematics Summer School Programme, University of Namibia (2016)
• Gillard, J.W., Knight V.A., Vile, J.L., and Wilson, R., (2016). Rostering staff at a mathematics
  support service using a finite-source queueing model. IMA Journal of Management
  Mathematics 27(2), pp. 201-209.
• Coulman, S.A., Glaspole, S., Jarman, S., John, D.N.S., Williams, S., and Wilson, R., (2012).
  Inadequate numeracy skills of students entering the MPharm programme: diagnosing the problem.
  International Journal of Pharmacy Practice 20(S1).
• Gillard, J.W., Robathan, K.J., and Wilson, R., (2012). Student perception of the effectiveness of
  mathematics support at Cardiff University. Teaching Mathematics and its Applications 31(2).
• Croft, A.C., Gillard, J.W., Grove, M.J., Kyle, J., Owen, A., Samuels, P.C., and Wilson, R., (2011).
  Tutoring in a Mathematics Support Centre - A Guide for Postgraduate Tutors.

Selection of funding awards

• Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, Higher Education Teaching and Learning Series:
  Enhancing Mathematical Research and Scholarship (2022). Funding £500
• CUSEIP funding: Analysis of student perception of learning community and impact on success
  (2022). Funding £2200
• London Mathematical Society, Teaching and Learning in Higher Education: Effective
  approaches to large group teaching in higher education mathematics. (2019). Funding £1000
• Institute of Mathematics and its Applications, Higher Education Teaching and Learning Series:
  Effective feedback in mathematics: provision and student engagement (2018). Funding £500
• sigma resource development funding to produce a pocket guide for tutors working in maths
  support (2015). Funding £2000.

Teaching

Teaching Philosophy

To maintain a focus on learning; providing opportunity for all students to reach their potential through exploring and investigating mathematical concepts in an active, safe but challenging environment.

Current teaching

• MA1006 Foundation of Mathematics II
• MA2900 Problem Solving
• MA3901 Introduction to Secondary School Mathematics Teaching
• MA0391 Project

Biography

Key roles and responsibilities

• Co-chair of Scholarship Steering Group, Cardiff University (2022-present)
• Academic Lead, Physical Sciences and Engineering Enhancement Group, Recognising Excellence in Teaching (2021-22)
• Dean for Education Innovation, Cardiff University (2015-18)
• Director of Learning and Teaching, School of Mathematics (2010-15)
• Mathematics Lead for Phoenix Project, UNAM and Cardiff University (2015-2018)
• Head of Maths Support Service, Cardiff University (2005-2016)

Honours and awards

• Most Engaging Staff Member, Enriching Student Life Awards (nominated, 2023).
• Advance HE National Teaching Fellowship Award (2019).
• Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Award, Excellence in Teaching and Scholarship (shortlisted, 2019).
• School of Mathematics Student Awards, Most Influential Member of Staff in the Final Year (2017).
• Vice Chancellor Award, Enriching Student Life Awards (shortlisted, 2016).
• Cardiff University Outstanding Contribution Award (2015).
• Cardiff University Celebrating Excellence Award, Exceptional Enhancement of the Student Experience (shortlisted, 2014).
• Most uplifting Staff Member, Enriching Student Life Awards (shortlisted, 2013).
• National sigma prize for outstanding contribution in the field of mathematics and statistics support (2012).
• Staff Member that has made the biggest difference to the student experience, Enriching Student Life Awards (2011).

Professional memberships

• National sigma-Network Steering Group (2017-present)
• Fellow Higher Education Academy (2007-present)
• Fellow Institute of Mathematics and its Applications (2019-2021)
• Member British Society for Research into Learning Mathematics (2013-2023)

Academic positions

• Reader, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University (2020-present)
• Senior Lecturer, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University (2014-2020)
• Lecturer, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University (2010-2014)
• Mathematics Support Coordinator, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University (2007-2010)
• Teaching Assistant, School of Mathematics, Cardiff University (2001-2006)

Speaking engagements

• sigma Network Symposium - The New Normal. “Revitalising the mathematics community.” (2022)
• LearnFest Higher Education Symposium. “Flipping the Foundations.” (2022)
• Teaching and Learning Mathematics Online (TALMO) Workshop. “Engaging students in online mathematics learning.” (2020)
• Learning and Teaching Conference, Cardiff University. “Authentic assessment in Undergraduate Mathematics.” (2019)
• Annual International CETL-MSOR Conference, Dublin City University. “Maths Anxiety in Mathematics Undergraduates” (2019)
• Annual International CETL-MSOR Conference, Dublin City University. “3 years on - Does it count? Undergraduate engagement with formative mathematics assessment.”
• sigma Network Workshop, Coventry University. “Quality assurance for a mathematics support service.” (2019)
• Chemistry Education Symposium, Cardiff University. “Motivation, Mind-set, and Mathematics.” (2019)
• Annual International CETL-MSOR Conference, Glasgow University. “Embedding the practice of teaching mathematics in a mathematics degree programme.” (2018)
• Annual International CETL-MSOR Conference, Glasgow University. “Comparison of student engagement in traditional and active learning environment.” (2018)
• Advance HE Teaching & Learning Conference, Aston University, “Supporting the transition to university Mathematics in sub-Saharan Africa.” (2018)
• sigma-Network Workshop. Measuring the impact of Mathematics Support. “What are we trying to measure?” (2018)

Committees and reviewing

• External Examiner, Keele University (2021-present)
• External Examiner, Open University (2020-present)
• External Examiner, London Metropolitan University (2019-2023)
• External assessor, Exeter University, MSc Mathematical Modelling programmes (2019).
• Academic Standards and Quality Committee, Cardiff University (2019-2021)
• National Network for Excellence in Mathematics (NNEM), Welsh Government, (2018-2020).
• External assessor, Bath University, Mathematics and Statistics Help – MASH (2018).
• Editor of MSOR Connections. A peer-reviewed research journal that disseminates work relating to innovative learning, teaching, assessment and support in Mathematics, Statistics and Operational Research in H.E. (2015-2020).
• Reviewer for the Advance HE STEM conference (2018-2019),
• Reviewer for the IMA journal, Teaching Mathematics and its Applications.
• Chair of Mathematics Extenuating Circumstances Panel (2010-2023)
• PVC Student Experience Advisory Panel/Student Engagement and Strategy Group (2015-2018).
• Chair of Mathematics Board of Studies, and Learning and Teaching Committee (2010-2015).

Supervisions

I am  interested in supervising PhD students in the area of Higher Education Mathematics Learning and Teaching.