Research-led teaching
To tackle the 21st century’s grand challenges, students need to develop strong critical thinking, communication, and collaboration skills. I am committed to fostering an inclusive learning environment that enables students to build a growth mindset for lifelong learning, discovery and achievement.
I encourage students to come seek individual support, discuss academic interests, and explore opportunities to collaborate on research during dedicated office hours.
Approach
Freedom of expression is valued in my classroom. Respect for others and their opinions is expected at all times.
I incorporate insights from biodiversity conservation research into my teaching to spark interest, spur investigation, trigger debate, and invite inquiry.
My teaching style is strongly influenced by my experiences coaching soccer and my training as a snowboard instructor.
I encourage students to keep the classroom a phone-free space and to use laptops only where needed for activities.
Fall 2024 courses
-
APU course code: 038330EA
Fall 2024 timetable: Monday period 3 (12:30-14:10)
Fall 2024 venue: J302 (ZOOM 928 7146 1293)
Fall 2024 TA: Salma Aziza
This module introduces Environmental Education using an interdisciplinary approach, and emphasizes the development of practical communication skills with different audiences and across contexts. There are four areas of focus: i) science communication, ii) environmental education across age groups, iii) engaging with businesses in the private sector, and iv) environmental awareness and the general public. These are supported by case studies, group activities and course assessments designed to provide opportunities for students to develop practical communication skills.
Before taking this course, students are strongly recommended to complete one of the following first-year ST courses: (a) Biodiversity, (b) Pollution Prevention, or (c) Sustainable Urban Development.
-
APU course code: 038340ED
Fall 2024 timetable: Monday period 6 (18:00-19:40)
Fall 2024 venue: F210 (ZOOM 992 9157 6166)
Fall 2024 TA: Morgan Do
In this course, academic literature selected by teachers is used to explain not only specialized knowledge but also how to write academic papers.
-
APU course code: 038341EB
Fall 2024 timetable: Tuesday period 6 (18:00-19:40)
Fall 2024 venue: F212 (ZOOM 918 7795 9670)
Fall 2024 TA: Morgan Do
In this course, upon detailed explanation of the method of literature search, students are instructed to write a literature review on a course of their own interest.
Spring 2025 courses
-
APU course code: 038301EA
Spring 2025 timetable: Monday period 3 (12:30-14:10) TBC
Spring 2025 venue: TBC
Overview
Biodiversity is invaluable. Every aspect of our lives is impacted by the organisms around us. However, human activities are driving global biodiversity loss at an alarming rate. This course introduces biodiversity using an interdisciplinary approach, emphasizing the acquisition of foundational knowledge of key concepts in biology, ecology, and conservation. These include the meaning, origins and significance of biodiversity, current threats to biodiversity, and key approaches to conserving biodiversity.
Learning objectives
The overarching objective of this course is to provide students with the foundation to appreciate the wonders of the natural world, to understand how our individual and collective actions can impact the environment, and to act responsibly to conserve biodiversity for future generations.
The three primary attainment targets are for students to:
Acquire foundational knowledge of key concepts in biology, ecology, and conservation pertaining to the meaning, origins and significance of biodiversity, current threats to biodiversity, and key approaches to conserving biodiversity;
Develop the ability to engage with conservation issues and the key ecological, social and political factors involved with them; and
Critically examine environmental issues in local, regional and global contexts.
Outline of classes
Course outline; What is the meaning of life?
Origins of life on Earth & mechanisms of evolution
Biological diversity, brought to you by LUCA
Why is biodiversity important (a.k.a why should I care)?
Threats I: Overexploitation, land-use change & climate change
Threats II: Invasion, disease & pollution
In-class test #1
Area-based conservation & species conservation
Human dimensions of conservation
Biodiversity conservation = animal welfare?
Guest lecture
Conservation decision-making & prioritization
Global environmental governance: Institutions & instruments
In-class test #2; Course wrap-up
Assessment
14% - Active participation in class
25% - In-class test #1
25% - In-class test #2
36% - Biodiversity journal
-
APU course code: 038340EC
Spring 2025 timetable: Monday period 6 (18:00-19:40) TBC
Spring 2025 venue: TBC
Spring 2025 TA: Morgan Do TBC
Overview
In this course, academic literature selected by teachers is used to explain not only specialized knowledge but also how to write academic papers.
This course is a second-year course of the research training which is offered systematically: "Introduction to Research Methods" in the first year, "Critical Reading I" and ""Critical Reading II" in the second year, "Major Seminar" in the third year, "Research Seminar" and "Graduation Project"/"Capstone" in the fourth year.
-
APU course code: TBC
Spring 2025 timetable: Tuesday period 6 (18:00-19:40) TBC
Spring 2025 venue: TBC
Spring 2025 TA: Morgan Do TBC
Syllabus in development
Fall 2025 courses (TBC)
-
APU course code: TBC
Fall 2025 timetable: Thursday period 6 (18:00-19:40) TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Syllabus in development
-
APU course code: 038330EA
Fall 2025 timetable: Monday period 3 (12:30-14:10) TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Overview
This course introduces Environmental Education using an interdisciplinary approach, and emphasizes the development of practical communication skills with different audiences and across contexts. There are four areas of focus: i) science communication, ii) environmental education across age groups, iii) engaging with the private sector, and iv) environmental awareness and the general public. These are supported by case studies, group activities and course assessments designed to provide opportunities for students to develop practical communication skills and become effective environmental educators.
Learning objectives
The four primary attainment targets are for students to:
1. Develop a foundational knowledge of environmental education;
2. Gain an understanding of and familiarity with the various forms of media through which science communication occurs;
3. Critically examine environmental issues in local, regional and global contexts; and
4. Build and apply communication skills in English to engage effectively with different audiences in the arena of environmental education.
Outline of classes
Course outline; Introduction to environmental education
Science communication I
Science communication II
Science communication III
Environmental education with children
Environmental education with teens and young adults
Environmental awareness and the general public I
Environmental awareness and the general public II
Environmental awareness and the general public III
Individual study project presentations
Engaging with the private sector
Consultancy project preparation
Consultancy project delivery
Course wrap-up
Assessment
14% - Active participation in class
40% - Consultancy project
46% - Individual study project
-
APU course code: 038309EC
Fall 2025 timetable: Wednesday TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Overview
The various social and regional challenges of reality are complex. Therefore, it is necessary to acquire skills to solve specific social and regional issues by utilizing knowledge acquired in various subjects studied at universities.
In this course, students discover various social and regional issues and learn practical techniques to utilize the knowledge they have learned in the specialized courses of this college.
-
APU course code: 038340EC
Fall 2025 timetable: Monday period 6 (18:00-19:40) TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Overview
In this course, academic literature selected by teachers is used to explain not only specialized knowledge but also how to write academic papers.
This course is a second-year course of the research training which is offered systematically: "Introduction to Research Methods" in the first year, "Critical Reading I" and ""Critical Reading II" in the second year, "Major Seminar" in the third year, "Research Seminar" and "Graduation Project"/"Capstone" in the fourth year.
-
APU course code: TBC
Fall 2025 timetable: Tuesday period 6 (18:00-19:40) TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Syllabus in development
-
APU course code: TBC
Fall 2025 timetable: Wednesday period 1 (8:45-10:25) TBC
Fall 2025 venue: TBC
Fall 2025 TA: TBC
Syllabus in development
Fall 2024 office hours
Drop-in hours
Monday period 5 (16:10-17:50)
Appointment hours
Tuesday periods 4 & 5 (14:20-17:50)
Other times may be available on request.
APU students who wish to make an appointment are kindly asked to fill out the form.
Location
Room 329, Green Commons (Building J), Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University, 1-1 Jumonjibaru, Beppu, Oita, 874-8577 Japan
〒874-8577 日本大分県別府市十文字原1-1 立命館アジア太平洋大学 グリーンコモンズ （J棟）329号室
Top 10 books: Recommended general reading
-
As Thucydides explained, "it was the rise of Athens and the fear that this instilled in Sparta that made war inevitable" more than two millennia ago. Today, the US and China are set on a similar collision course. Averting disaster in the US-China relationship will define the trajectory of civilization in the 21st century - this book explores how.
Originally published in 2017
https://www.belfercenter.org/thucydides-trap/overview-thucydides-trap
-
A beautiful, vivid and intimate memoir set in Hong Kong, my hometown. The author recounts her life story in evocative detail, and in so doing illustrates how personal struggles and growth, how family life and social bonds, and how belonging and group identity are woven into the sociopolitical landscape of the place we call home.
香港人加油
Originally published in 2022
-
A plain-English exploration of how the process of evolution has given rise to the complexity, diversity and beauty we can observe in the natural world today. A fantastic introduction to the biological concepts of evolution regardless of background knowledge in science.
Originally published in 1986
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/14234/the-blind-watchmaker-by-richard-dawkins/9780141026169
-
In 2013, social went mobile. The mental health of children, adolescents, and young adults plunged. Cognitive ability, social development, and neurological development have all taken a hit. Jonathan Haidt presents the evidence, and puts forward the case for us to act collectively - and urgently - to ditch our screen addictions and reinstate the play-based childhood.
Originally published in 2024
-
The authors explore how three “Great Untruths” have been increasingly woven into childhood, parenting and education in America: (1) what doesn’t kill you makes you weaker; (2) always trust your feelings; and (3) life is a battle between good people and evil people. These have led to political polarization, social dysfunction and illiberal identity politics. While focused on the US, the insights from this book extend to the broader Western world and beyond.
Originally published in 2018
-
How do we think? Fascinating book with insights into how our cognitive systems work.
Originally published in 2011
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/56314/thinking-fast-and-slow-by-kahneman-daniel/9780141033570
-
Foundational reading for students in environmental studies, this is a classic study of our changing attitudes toward wilderness over time and the origins of the environmental and conservation movements.
Originally published in 1965
https://yalebooks.yale.edu/book/9780300190380/wilderness-and-the-american-mind/
-
This dystopian masterpiece is a cautionary tale of the terrifying dangers of totalitarianism. A literary classic with relevance that will endure as long as humanity (and its worst impulses) persists.
Originally published in 1949
https://www.penguin.co.uk/books/57013/nineteen-eighty-four-by-george-orwell/9780241453513
-
Problems abound around the world, but this work reminds us that positivity, optimism and scientific rationality will put us on the right track to finding solutions. No matter how bad things seem, human progress will prevail.
Originally published in 2018
https://stevenpinker.com/publications/enlightenment-now-case-reason-science-humanism-and-progress
-
The evidence that boys and men are struggling in the 21st century is clear, but highlighting these challenges in the current political climate can be perilous. We must recognize that doing more for boys and men doesn’t mean doing less for girls and women. This work provides a thorough and thoughtful reminder that social change should not be zero-sum, and that policies must ensure that everyone can flourish.
Originally published in 2022