Dr Christopher Headleand first started teaching at the ages of 15 at a youth group. Following this, he held a number of professional and voluntary training positions, before going to university where he studied for a Batchelor of Science (BSc) degree in Design Education. When he left university he formed his first software company and engaged in the mentorship of local students. Through this link Chris started teaching in Further Education, which led him back to Bangor University where he undertook a Master of Science (MSc) degree in Computer Science, followed by a PhD.
While at Bangor he taught a number of undergraduate modules, achieved his Fellowship and was nominated for an institutional teaching award. He joined the Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) gold-rated University of Lincoln in 2016 as a Lecturer in Computer Science. Since joining Lincoln he has progressed through the school holding various roles and since June 2019, appointed the School Director of Teaching and Learning (DTL) and an Associate Professor. Chris has been fortunate to have had a rapid career trajectory in the five years since achieving his PhD which is a testament to his hard work and the student-centred approach he takes to education. In 2020 he was awarded a teaching excellence award by the institution.
During the Covid-19 pandemic he worked hard to support colleagues from across the sector and internationally. He published guidance on engaging students online (academically and pastorally) which has been broadly distributed and appreciated by colleagues. Chris also created the "Pedagogy and Pancakes" seminar series, where educators share their practice with the community. This series is engaged with by over 400 colleagues from a range of institutions. He is an advocate of student engagement at all levels of teaching and learning and believes that a learning community is strongest when staff and students work together as colleagues. His work in student engagement and games-based education is what he is best known for, across the sector and internationally. Chris is currently commissioned to write a book on online student engagement for SAGE Publishing which is due for release next year. A good example of my work is the live-streamed game initiative.
