Author Archives: bandakarinna

I am Inna Yaneva-Toraman – anthropologist and interdisciplinary researcher specialising in public engagement, data management, and problem solving. I am currently a Lecturer in Anthropology and Climate Change at the Department of Anthropology and Sociology in SOAS University of London. I am also a Research Associate in the UKRI-AHRC project Recipes for Resilience (Caribbean FoodContinue reading “Hello There!”

Having honed my skills as an educator over 5 years of experience in teaching a variety of undergraduate and postgraduate anthropology and interdisciplinary courses at the University of Edinburgh, I have taken three steps to contribute to the curriculum that reflects my vision for a more equal and engaging social anthropology education: 1) Decolonising theContinue reading “Curriculum Design”

My teaching experience at the University of Edinburgh began as a tutor to small groups of students on first-year anthropology and geography courses. While I received two days of training from both schools, the first couple of tutorials made it clear that there was a lot I did not know about and couldn’t even anticipateContinue reading “Critical Reflection and Self-Evaluation in Teaching Practice”

Students’ perception of the classroom as a setting (e.g. inviting, accepting, forgiving, intimidating, belittling) affects their ability to adapt to its dynamics and the course’s demands. It can also impact their overall learning experience and decision to stay in HE. At the University of Edinburgh, even the smallest tutorial group (6-8 people) has learners ofContinue reading “Inclusive Learning Environment for Student Continuation”

Using visual material in our teaching such as diagrams, graphs, and photographs can clarify the subject, inspire curiosity, and retain students’ attention. Research has shown that when used effectively, visuals along with speech and writing, allow different learners to engage with the topic and learn in a way that is most suitable for them (MorssContinue reading “Collaboration, Visualisation, and Learning”

Small tutorial groups provide a great opportunity to spend a lot of face-to-face time with my students and observe their progress. Even if there are no assessment requirements, I try to understand their individual needs and potentials, and offer small verbal feedback as often as possible. This also helps them feel included and valued, andContinue reading “How Feedback Helps Students Succeed”

I delivered several guest lectures on undergraduate and post-graduate courses at the University of Edinburgh. Lecture design is something I strive to gain more experience and improve my skills because most students consider lectures the core element of their studies. While lecturing as a teaching method has been widely criticized for its mostly passive learningContinue reading “Lecture Design for Learning and Participation”