Dr Nigel Francis

(he/him)

Publication

• Date
• Type

Research

My main research is focused on enhancing immunology education through digital co-creation of learning and teaching resources. I firmly believe that students should be involved in the creation of resources to enhance their learning experience. I am particularly interested in the use of digital eLearning tools, including artificial intelligence, videos and simulations.

These resources can be used for active learning in a flipped classroom, where content is provided before face-to-face teaching occurs. My research in this area looks at how students engage with the flipped learning approach and how to enhance the use of digital material.

Recently, I have started to explore the impact of Generative AI on assessment and feedback in the biosciences.

I maintain an interest in immunology research, focusing on the areas of rheumatology and immunometabolism, which looks at the role that different fuel sources play on immune cell function.

Teaching

Primary teaching focus

• Immunology

Administrative Roles

• Degree scheme lead for Biomedical Sciences
• Deputy Lead for Assessment and Feedback
• Lead for Digital Education
• Week-long research experience coordinator
• School of Biosciences AI Champion

Pedagogical Publications

• Lacey, M., Francis, N.J. and Smith, D.P. (2023). Redefining online biology education: A study on interactive branched video utilisation and student learning experiences. FEBS Open Bio. 14(2):230-240. http://doi.org/10.1002/2211-5463.13767
• Higgins, T., Dudley, E., Bodger, O., Newton, P. and Francis, N.J. (2023). Embedding Retrieval Practice in Undergraduate Biochemistry teaching using PeerWise. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. Vol/Issue https://doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21799
• Yhnell, E. and Francis, N.J. (2023). The future of lectures: ten top tips for engaging and inclusive teaching. The Biochemist. 45(5):24-28 https://doi.org/10.1042/bio_2023_144
• Francis, N. and Smith, D. (2023). Using Generative Artificial Intelligence - A Student Guide.pdf. National Teaching Repository. Educational resource. https://doi.org/10.25416/NTR.24259597.v1
• Francis, N. and Smith, D (2023). Guidelines on Using AI in Academic Assessments.pdf. National Teaching Repository. Educational resource. https://doi.org/10.25416/NTR.24259600.v1
• Francis, N., & Smith, D. (2023). Generative AI in assessment (Version 1). National Teaching Repository. https://doi.org/10.25416/NTR.24121182.v1
• Francis N.J., Ruckley D. and Wilkinson T.S. (2022). The virtual flow cytometer: A new learning experience and environment for undergraduate teaching. Front. Educ. 7:903732. https://www.doi.org/10.3389/feduc.2022.903732
• Francis N.J., Smith D.P. and Turner I.J. (2022). Practical approaches to delivering pandemic impacted laboratory teaching. In: Domenech, J, (ed.) 8th International Conference on Higher Education Advances (HEAd’22) Universitat Politecnica de Valencia, Valencia, 2022.Valencia, Spain, Editorial Universitat Politécnica de Valéncia, 521-529. https://doi.org/10.4995/head22.2022.15652
• Smith D.P. & Francis N.J. (2022). Engagement with video content in the blended classroom. Essays Biochem. EBC20210055. https://doi.org/10.1042/EBC20210055
• Turner I.J., Bolton-King R.S., Francis N.J., Nichols-Drew L.J. & Smith D.P. (2022). How do you offer students a laboratory learning experience when Covid-19 has closed the labs? Available at: https://digitalculture.jiscinvolve.org/wp/2022/03/09/collaborative-online-communities-of-practice/ – published 17th March 2022
• Francis N.J., Allen M. & Thomas J. (2022). Using group work for assessment – an academic’s perspective. Open Educational Resource, Advance HE. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/sites/default/files/2022-03/Using group work for assessment - an academic's perspective.pdf
• Francis N.J. (2022). 'I love group work'...said no student ever! Advance HE. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/i-love-group-worksaid-no-student-ever – published 4th March 2022
• Cramman H., Burnham J. A. J., Campbell C. D., Francis N. J., Smith D. P., Spagnoli D., Stewart M.I and Turner I. J. (2021). COVID as a catalyst: Uncovering misaligned power dynamics and the importance of new Professional Learning Networks for Higher Education science laboratory teaching. https://doi.org/10.35542/osf.io/tjphr
• McClure L., Wilmott C.J. & Francis N.J. (2021). Supporting the Transition. What challenges will students entering Higher Education face? The Biologist. 68(3): 8-9. Available at: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist-opinion/preparing-for-the-covid-cohort
• Wilkinson T.S., Nibbs R. and Francis N.J. (2021). Reimagining laboratory‐based immunology education in the time of COVID‐19. Immunology. 163(4): 431-435. http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/imm.13369
• Stafford P., Herni D., Turner I., Smith D.P. and Francis N.J. (2020). Practical thinking in a pandemic. The Biologist. 65(5):24-27. Available at: https://thebiologist.rsb.org.uk/biologist/158-biologist/features/2434-reshaping-education-practical-thinking-in-a-pandemic
• Francis N.J., Smith D.P. and Turner I. (2020). It’s a brave new (educational) world. Advance HE. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/its-brave-new-educational-world – published 8th September 2020
• Francis N.J., Smith D.P. and Turner I. (2020). #DryLabsRealScience – together stronger. Advance HE. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/drylabsrealscience-together-stronger - published 18th May 2020
• Francis N.J., Morgan A.H., Holm S., Davey R., Bodger O. and Dudley E. (2020). Using a flipped classroom approach to teach calculations. Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Education. 48(3):220-226. https://www.doi.org/10.1002/bmb.21328
• Francis N.J. (2019). The Flipped Classroom – Becoming a Better Teacher. Advance HE. Available at: https://www.advance-he.ac.uk/news-and-views/flipping-the-classroom - published 20th March 2019

Biography

I graduated from the University of Bath in 2004 with a MPharmacol (Masters in Pharmacology) having spent an intercalated research year in the Nephrology Department at Heath Hospital under the supervision of Professor Nick Topley. In 2008 I completed a PhD in immunology from the University of Birmingham in the lab of Professor Janet Lord, investigating the role of the iron binding protein, lactoferrin, in neutrophil survival in rheumatic joints. I then returned to Heath Hospital working for Professor Claire Harris in the Complement Biology Group looking at the structure-function relationship of polymorphic variants of factor H.

In 2011 I moved to Swansea University Medical School where I helped establish immunology teaching across all years of their undergraduate programmes. During my time at Swansea I completed a PGCert in Teaching in Higher Education and acted in a wide range of administrative roles including Deputy Programme Director for Biochemistry.

I re-joined Cardiff University in August 2021, where my teaching focuses on immunology and supporting the provision of physiology.

I am an award-winning lecturer having received Swansea University’s Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award and the British Society for Immunology’s Teaching Excellence Award in 2020. In 2021 I was honoured by the Royal Society of Biology for my work creating the #DryLabsRealScience network winning their Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year Award. In 2022 I was awarded my National Teaching Fellowship by Advance HE.

Honours and awards

• 2024 - The National Teaching Repository for Global Reach and Impact.
• 2023 - Nominated for a Collaborative Award for Teaching Excellence (CATE)
• 2022 - National Teaching Fellowship
• 2022 - Nominated for Biochemical Society Teaching Excellence Award
• 2021 - Royal Society of Biology Higher Education Bioscience Teacher of the Year
• 2020 - British Society for Immunology Teaching Excellence Award
• 2020 - Swansea University Excellence in Learning and Teaching Award

Professional memberships

• Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB)
• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
• Chartered Science Teacher (CSciTeach)
• Member of the British Society for Immunology (BSI)

Academic positions

• 2021 - present: Senior Lecturer, Cardiff University
• 2011-2021: Lecturer/Senior Lecturer/Associate Professor, Swansea University
• 2008-2011: Research Associate, Cardiff University

Speaking engagements

Selected recent speaking engagements:

1. Francis, N.J. (2024). Assessments that encourage collaboration and not collusion - The importance of teamwork. International Connection Series. University of Waikato, New Zealand. Invited speaker.
2. Francis, N.J. and Rutherford, S.R. (2024). How do we make group work assignments meaningful and engaging? FEBS Education and Training Conference. Antalya, Turkey. Invited workshop.
3. Francis, N.J. and Rutherford, S.R. (2024). Assessment IS learning: Developing Student Self-Regulated Learning Through Assessment. FEBS Education and Training Conference. Antalya, Turkey. Invited plenary.
4. Francis, N.J. and Smith, D.P. (2024). Process over product: Incorporating AI into assessment. Biochemistry Focus Webinar, The Biochemical Society (online). Invited speaker.
5. Francis, N.J. (2023). Developing a community of practice during the pandemic. Education Conference, Faculty of Health Sciences and Veterinary Medicine, University of Namibia. Invited keynote.
6. Ruckley, D., Wilkinson, T.S., and Francis, N.J. (2023). Developing and teaching with interactive virtual labs. Horizons in STEM 2023. Swansea
7. Francis, N.J., Higgins, T., Dudley, E., Bodger, O. and Newton, P. (2023). Embedding retrieval practice in undergraduate Biochemistry teaching using PeerWise. Horizons in STEM 2023. Swansea.
8. Francis, N.J., Smith, D.P. and Turner, I. (2023). Perfecting* Practical Pandemic Pedagogy (*Possibly). Improving University Teaching. Herriot-Watt University, Putrajaya, Malaysia.
9. Carss, W., Francis, N.J., Cook, S. and Cowie, B. (2023). Yeah-Nahh: Prioritising relationships or task content - student perspectives of group work. Assessment in Higher Education (AHE) International Conference. Manchester
10. Francis, N.J., Ruckley, D., and Wilkinson, T.S. (2023). Simulations as an assessment for learning. Assessment in Higher Education (AHE) International Conference. Manchester
11. Francis, N.J., Smith, D.P. and Turner, I. (2023). #DryLabsRealScience: Redefining Practical Pedagogy Post-Pandemic. International Society of Learning Sciences Annual Meeting. Montreal, Canada.
12. Francis, N.J. (2023). Assessments that encourage collaboration and not collusion: The importance of group work. Interdisciplinary Network of Research-informed Assessment Practices (online). Invited speaker.
13. Francis, N.J. (2023). Engaging students with the feedback process. International Federation of National Teaching Fellows 4^th Global Seminar Series (online). Invited speaker.
14. Francis, N.J. (2022). #DryLabsRealScience: lessons learnt teaching through a pandemic. Te Puna Aurei LearnFest. University of Waikato, New Zealand (online). Invited keynote.
15. Francis, N.J., and Meddings, F. (2022). Student centred feedback practices. AHE Conference and Transforming Assessment Webinar. Australasian Society for Computers in Learning in Tertiary Education (online). Invited keynote and panel member.
16. Francis, N.J., Smith, D.P., and Turner, I. (2022). Perfecting* Practical Pandemic Pedagogy (*Possibly). International Federation of National Teaching Fellows Symposathon (online). Invited keynote.
17. Francis, N.J. et al. (2022). Introduction of 2022 National Teaching Fellows from the UK. International Federation of National Teaching Fellows Symposathon (online). Invited panel member.

Committees and reviewing

• 2021 - present: British Society for Immunology Teaching Affinity Group - Chair
• 2020 - present: Member of the RSB Biology Education Research Group (BERG)

Supervisions

I am available for supervision of self-funded students postgraduate interested in exploring:

• Digital resources in Immunology/Biosciences
• Use of videos and/or simulations in teaching

Current supervision

Constance Pritchard

Teaching Associate

Engagement

British Society for Immunology Vaccine Ambassador