Dr Nigel Francis

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

• 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 Educational Research Association (BERA)
• Member of the British Society for Immunology (BSI)
• Member of the Biochemical Society
• Member of the RSB Biology Education Research Group (BERG)

Academic positions

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

Committees and reviewing

• 2021 - present: British Society for Immunology Teaching Affinity Group - Co-Chair

Publications

• Date
• Type
• Selected

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

Pedagogical Publications

• 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

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 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.

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.

Supervision

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

Past projects

Engagement

British Society for Immunology Vaccine Ambassador