The University of Sheffield
Automatic Control and Systems Engineering

Mrs Linda Gray, FHEA
Assistant Faculty Director of Learning and Teaching (Student Experience)
Senior University Teacher

lindat-120x150.jpgAddress:
Mrs Linda Gray
Department of Automatic Control and Systems Engineering
University of Sheffield
Sheffield
S1 3JD
Tel: (+44) (0)114 222 5650
Fax: (+44) (0)114 222 5683
Email: l.gray @ sheffield.ac.uk
Room: D8b, Amy Johnson Building

Biopic

I am a graduate of the University of Kansas, USA, where I studied Computer Science.  I began my career as a Computer Programmer, and gradually moved into teaching because of my keen interest in education and in students. I am now a Senior University Teacher, in which role I teach, have various administrative roles related to teaching and student support, and carry out research related to education and student support.  I am a fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Teaching

My teaching interests are in the area of software development and software engineering.  I currently lead the following modules:

and contribute to ACS108 Laboratory and Professional Skills.

I also supervise final year undergraduate and masters projects.

Student Support

I am the Student Support Officer in Automatic Control and Systems Engineering (ACSE), and in that role I work with colleagues to try to ensure a good student experience.  For example, one aspect of the Student Support Officer role has been to plan a programme of personal tutoring for all undergraduates and masters students in the department.

I am the First Year (Undergraduate) Tutor, so I lead the First Year Team in ACSE and work with the rest of the team to plan and deliver a cohesive programme to our first year students.  Also as First Year Tutor, I develop and deliver strategies for improving student transition into university, from semester one to semester two, and to the second year. 

I chair the ACSE Student Staff Committee (SSC), in which role I chair one SSC committee meeting per year and support student volunteers who chair the remaining SSC committee meetings.  The ACSE SSC is for undergraduate and masters students.  In addition, I chair the ACSE Postgraduate Research Forum: a similar group for the department’s research students.  Outside of the meetings, I act as adviser and liaison whenever students bring issues about their course, their life in the department or whenever staff raise issues for students to consider.

I am a member of the ACSE Learning and Teaching Committee, the University Student Support Forum and the University VLE planning and project boards.  I am an ACSE representative on the Faculty Advisory Board.  I am a member of the 301 Service Development Project Group.  I am the ACSE liaison for the University Student Mentoring scheme.

Faculty Role

As an Assistant Director of Learning and Teaching for the Engineering Faculty, I work with colleagues and with students in the Faculty to improve the student experience, particularly in the areas of induction and transition.

Distinctions

University of Sheffield Student Union awards:

Research

The topics I have addressed recently, in the area of education and student support, are

Key Publications

M. Bramhall, L. Gray, C. Corker, K. Garnett, R. Hill (2012) Analysis of critical thinking skills in an international, cross-institutional group of engineering Masters students.  Industry and Higher Education, Vol 26, No 4, August 2012, doi: 10.5367/ihe.2012.0109

J. A. Rossiter, L. Gray (2012) Using teamwork to engage students and manage transition. Engineering Education, Vol 7, Issue 1, 2012.  The Higher Education Academy, Loughborough, UK

L. Gray, M. Bramhall, K. Garnett, C. Corker (2011).  Analysis of critical thinking skills across an international, cross-institutional student group.  Internationalisation of Pedagogy and Curriculum in Higher Education Conference.

L. Gray (2009). Wrapping professional skills around a software engineering project.  HEA-ICS 10th Annual Conference.

L. Gray, P. L. Judd (2008).  Effective English support for overseas students in engineering departments.  EE2008 (International Conference on Innovation, Good practice and Research in Engineering Education).

J. A. Rossiter, L. Gray, A. Raina, M. Morley and L. Desforges (2008).  Making the most of intro week.  EE2008 (International Conference on Innovation, Good practice and Research in Engineering Education).
 
J. A. Rossiter, L. Gray (2006).  Creating a rich learning environment in a research led university.  EE2006 (International Conference on innovation, Good Practice and Research in Engineering Education).