Professor James Busfield

National Teaching Fellow 2009 Dr James Busfield is a senior lecturer in the  School of Engineering and Materials Science at Queen Mary, University of London. He joined QMUL from industry in 1994 and he has worked tirelessly using his previous industrial experience and current internationally recognised research in polymers and design to inspire and motivate students by ensuring learning is an active experience. He has been a pioneer and advocate of problem based learning, creating support material for other institutions that has facilitated many others to adopt this approach. The excellence of James's teaching has been widely recognised. In his school, James is regularly top ranked by course feedback questionnaires and he is often the most popular lecturer in the Drapers Awards for Excellence in Teaching as nominated by students. James helps people develop skills where skills are lacking and where they are necessary for the future. "His enthusiasm and passion is clearly visible and contagious; He is a novelty in our department. He is not only passionate but he truly cares about the students." Student Drapers Award nomination, 2009. James seeks to develop students for success in the workplace. This is done by arranging work placements, organising industrial visits and using industrial based case studies throughout the curriculum. James is known for making his modules fun and interactive. He has sought to replace much lecture-based delivery with problem-based learning. So rather than teaching mechanics traditionally, the students learn by designing a bungee for a watermelon or, as an alternative to being lectured on how to use analytical equipment, they are invited to solve an imaginary murder working as a scene of crime officer. James uses this style of teaching to supporting courses ranging from a dozen to over 200 students. In his design course, to motivate the students, he invites industrial leaders to set case studies; such as how to repair finger bone fractures, design nose cones for Formula 1 cars and how to make the worlds largest wind turbine blades. John Stark, his head of school summarises, "James's greatest achievement is to inspire many students to pursue a career in engineering design after graduation."