Dr D. Theresa Nicholson

My profile

Biography

Academic and professional qualifications

  • BSc (Hons) Physical Geography and Geology (University of Lancaster)
  • M.LD Master of Landscape Design (Manchester University)
  • MA Academic Practice (Manchester Met)
  • PhD Engineering Geomorphology (University of Leeds)

Professional Qualifications

  • ILM Level 5 Certificate in Coaching and Mentoring for Managers
  • Institute of Quarrying Professional Qualification
  • Foundation Certificate in Deaf Studies (CACDP)

Academic service (administration and management)

Principal School Roles

Department EDI Lead

Principal Faculty / University Roles

Faculty Inclusive Learning Communities Lead

Faculty Equality and Diversity Champion

External examiner roles

  • Advance HE Registered External Examiner
  • External Examiner at University of Keele (2023-26) for BSc Physical Geography and BSc Geography
  • External Examiner at Staffordshire University (2017-2022) for BSc Geography, BSc Physical Geography (with Mountain Leadership)
  • External Panel Member for programme review at Staffordshire University 2016

Expert reviewing

Prizes and awards

  • National Teaching Fellow 2020 (Advance HE)
  • Nomination* for Teaching Excellence Award, MMU Staff Awards 2021 (*with other members of the Faculty Department Education Leads Team)
  • Nomination for Best Teacher Award (Manchester Metropolitan Student Union ‘Teaching Awards’ 2013)
  • Marston Prize 2001: Institute of Quarrying (best technical presentation to a branch)
  • Ruston Bucyrus Award 1995: Quarry Management (best technical publication)
  • Ransomes and Rapier First Prize (1993): Institute of Quarrying (best Quarry Engineering paper in Professional Exam)
  • Gillespie-Beaumont Landscape Student Prize 1988: University of Manchester

Membership of professional associations

  • Member of the Association of National Teaching Fellows (2020)
  • Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA) (2017)
  • Chartered Member of the Landscape Institute (CMLI) (1991)
  • Professional Member of the Institute of Quarrying (MIQ) (1993)
  • Fellow of the Royal Geographical Society (FRGS) (2005)
  • Fellow of the Geological Society (FGS) (1986)
  • Member of British Society for Geomorphology (1986)
  • Member of Liverpool Geological Society (1983)

Languages

Level Two BSL (British Sign Language)

Words of wisdom

Aim for the sky. Be yourself. Don’t let anybody tell you ‘no’.

Teaching

Subjects

Physical Geography (Geomorphology) and Education for Sustainable Development.

Undergraduate courses

I teach primarily on modules that underpin BSc (Hons) Geography and BSc (Hons) Physical Geography

Current teaching includes:

  • L4: Professional Geographer
  • L4: Earth Surface Processes
  • L5: Catchment Hydrology and Geomorphology
  • L5: Research Design (Physical Geography)
  • L5: Fieldwork and Data Analysis (Physical Geography)
  • L6: Geomorphic Hazards
  • L6: Dissertation (Education for Sustainable Development, Applied and Pure Geomorphology, Hazards)
  • L6: Undergraduate Consultancy 

Research outputs

Research expertise

Educational research:

Equality, Diversity and Inclusion: Designing and delivering inclusive curricula in Higher Education, including flexible assessment for inclusion, enhancing accessibility through technology, embedding reasonable adjustments in the curriculum, student engagement and belonging, attentiveness and student success, embedding coaching techniques in personal tutoring, inclusive student partnership, diversity awareness, and inclusive learning for d/Deaf and hard of hearing students.

Active, Innovative Teaching and Assessment: Enquiry-based learning and its synergies with Education for Sustainable Development, creative honours projects in Geography teaching, assessment and peer assessment for learning, technology-enhanced learning (especially the use of online portfolios for employability enhancement), enquiry-based education for sustainable development.

Geomorphology research:

Role of rock weathering in slope instability, rockslope deterioration assessment, rock microweathering rates and processes in cold environments, rock weathering under late-lying snowpatches, ploughing boulder processes, Holocene landform evolution.

Publications listed at: https://1drv.ms/w/s!AlDPwVYtqXpDgk7QY9jvOv87Gunw?e=AXXe7J

Career history

2000-2001

Earth and Environment Faculty, University of Leeds: Senior Project Officer (C and IT in the Curriculum Project)

1995-2000

School of Earth Sciences, University of Leeds: Various roles including Research Assistant (Teaching), Senior Project Assistant, Temporary Lecturer, Demonstrating and Tutorial Assistant

1997

School of Biological and Earth Sciences, Liverpool John Moores University: Lecturer (short-term contract)

1995-1997

Freelance Geoscience Consultant

1992-1995

Wardell Armstrong: Senior Environmental Scientist (Landscape)

1991-1992

Planning and Landscape Division, St Helens MBC: Senior Landscape Architect

1990-1991

Planning Department, Cheshire County Council: Planning Officer (Minerals)

1988-1990

Cobham Resource Consultants: Environmental Consultant

1987

Donaldson Edwards Partnership: Landscape Assistant