Centre for Learning and Study Support (CLaSS): About CLaSS

Meet the CLaSS Team

Louise Buckingham

Teaching and Learning LLS Manager

Louise is the CLaSS Academic Team Manager. She coordinates the work of CLaSS as well as a range of academic support services within the wider Library and Learning Services team.

Arina Cirstea

Senior Lecturer in Learning Development

Arina supports the academic writing development of students at all levels. Her role within the team focuses on enhancing the English Language provision for both international and home students. She is also interested in developing multimodal resources to enhance learning. Her PhD explored the intersections between gender, spirituality and urban geography, and she continues to have an interest in strategies to mitigate the impact of textual and spatial power structures on individual development.

Jason Eyre

Senior Lecturer in Learning Development

Jason teaches on courses across the university but works most closely with the faculty of Arts, Design and Humanities. He has responsibility for developing peer-led learning (including peer mentoring and peer tutoring) and staff writing development. He has an interest in disciplinarity and the role of context in learning, and is currently undertaking a PhD in the philosophy of education at the UCL Institute of Education

Emily Forster

Lecturer in Learning Development

Emily works with students from across the university, in tutorials, drop ins and workshops, but has particular link to the faculty of Business and Law. She has responsibility within the team for provision for disabled students. Her research interests are developing inclusive teaching in Higher Education and her PhD was on the transitions to adulthood of disabled young people.

Bev Hancock-Smith

Senior Lecturer in Learning Development

Zara Hooley

Senior Lecturer in Learning Development

Zara provides support to DMU’s Health and Life Science Faculty. She facilitates learning development workshops and tutors students on a one-to-one basis. Zara has particular interests in digital learning and systems design to enhance the student learning experience. In addition to her role in the CLaSS team, she is currently undertaking a PhD in the area of family sociology and is an active memember of DMU’s Centre for Reproduction Research.

Tracy Slawson

Senior Lecturer in Learning Development

Tracy works with students from across the university and holds responsibility within the team for work with students who have specific learning differences.

The CLaSS team work with undergraduate, postgraduate and research students, who are studying full-time, part-time and by distance learning.

We know that all students will need help and advice at some point in their studies. These are typical examples:

• First year undergraduate - learn about simple strategies to help you to plan that first assignment.
• Second year undergraduate - discover practical approaches to critical analysis in your academic writing.
• Final year undergraduate - use guidance and support for your final dissertation.
• Postgraduate and research students - make use of advice about studying at a higher level - maybe after some time out of education.