Mythbusting the modern academy

Jayne Pearson has been working in education for over 20 years in the UK and overseas. Her background is in academic literacies and international education, before undertaking a PhD in educational assessment in 2012 and moving into educational development for academic colleagues. Her research interests are in how assessment can impede and facilitate student agency.

Abbi Shaw is the Faculty Learning Technology Lead for UCL Arts and Humanities, responsible for the strategic and good pedagogical use of teaching, learning, and assessment technologies across the Faculty's broad range of disciplines. Abbi's research interests include the professional identity of digital education specialists, and methods of effecting digital education change in UK higher education. Prior to joining UCL in 2020, Abbi, with an extensive background in vintage bookselling and digital commerce, worked in the Library and as a Learning Technologist at St. Mary's University Twickenham. 

Claudia Prieto Piastro is a Lecturer in Social Science Education at King's College London. She holds an MA in Conflict Resolution and a PhD in Anthropology of the Middle East from King's College London. Her research focuses on food culture, national identities, and gender dynamics. Previously, she led the Social Sciences programme at Brunel Pathway College. Her educational interests highlight diversity and equality in the foundation classroom, education for sustainability stressing the right to food, and the use of AI in assessments.

Martin Compton has over 30 years of experience as an educator, teaching across secondary, further and higher education sectors in the UK and abroad. Following roles at the University of Greenwich and University College London (UCL), he joined King's College London in 2023. Martin focuses primarily on exploring the educational implications of artificial intelligence. As the University Lead for AI in Education, he supports colleagues and students in critically reviewing and innovating teaching, assessment, and feedback, whilst championing a 'freedom to learn' philosophy.

Rebecca Lindner is Deputy Director of King’s Academy, the academic development centre at King’s College London, where she focuses on educational leadership, professional development for education-focused academics, and education scholarship. She has taught across a range of Humanities disciplines and held academic and leadership roles at University College London, the University of Oregon, and Amsterdam University College. Rebecca’s work explores widening participation, staff and student wellbeing, leadership resilience, and curriculum innovation, and she has led funded projects supported by Research England, the Office for Students, the Calderwood Foundation, and Circle U. European University Alliance.