Learning and Teaching in Economics and International Business @ Aston University

Designing Authentic Open Book Assessment in the Age of AI - with Dr Shafaq Malik

In this episode, Dr Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Dr Shafaq Malik (Aston University) to explore the thoughtful redesign of assessment in a final-year undergraduate finance module. Faced with the challenge of maintaining an open-book format while navigating the growing presence of generative AI and the risk of collusion, Shafaq shares how she reimagined the assessment to better reflect authentic, real-world finance practice. She discusses the practical considerations behind the redesign and how the changes not only addressed emerging challenges but also enhanced student engagement and ownership of learning.

Analogy-based Cartoons in Teaching: The Cartoon Creation Centre Erkan Demirbas and colleagues from the University of Lincoln

In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) catches up with Erkan Demirbas (University of Lincoln), who previously joined the podcast [https://open.spotify.com/episode/1MFWJoqXoLeEhlnqyw3jXN] to share insights into his development of analogy-based cartoons to enhance teaching in economics, statistics and finance. In this episode, Erkan returns to share how the project has evolved into the Cartoon Creation Centre [https://cartooncreationcentre.wordpress.com/about-the-cartoon-creation-centre/] (CCC), an international network of academics and students using analogy-based storytelling to make complex concepts more accessible. He is joined by several members of the CCC: Bee-Yen Toh (Queens University Belfast), Xia Zhu (Open University) and Senani Thenuwara (University of Colombo). Listen to learn more about the Cartoon Creation Centre and how to get involved.

Problem-based learning with Dr Yaprak Tavman and Dr Tim Burnett

In this episode, Dr Karishma Patel (Aston University) speaks with Dr Yaprak Tavman (University of York) about her experience developing a problem-based learning module in economics in partnership with students. Problem based learning is a student-centred approach in which students can work on authentic real-world problems through group workand self-directed learning. Dr Tim Burnett (Aston University) also joins the conversation to share his thoughts on problem-based learning.

Reflections from the Aston Learning and Teaching Festival 2025 - Part 2

In this second part of a two-part special, Karishma Patel (Teaching Fellow in Economics, Aston University) reflects on the recent Aston University Learning and Teaching Festival, held on campus on 1st April 2025. The festival brought together staff and students to share ideas, explore innovative practice, and discuss some of the key challenges in higher education today. In this episode, the focus is on the themes of Belonging and Community, and Student Partnership and Co-Creation. We hear from those who chaired some of these sessions: Sunday Blake (Policy Manager, GuildHE), Gareth Woods (Associate Dean Education and Student Experience,College of Engineering and Physical Sciences, Aston University), and Stephen Rooney (Learning Development Adviser, Library and Learning Services, Aston University). We also hear from a brilliant group of Aston Students’ Unioncommittee members: Taher Gadiwala (Vice President Communities), Sayeed Farooq (Vice President Student Activities), Karina Jutlla (Vice President Welfare), Juan Carlos Garcia Belza (President), and Afia Amanoullah (Vice PresidentEducation). This episode explores what meaningful student partnership can look like in practice, how small actions can make a big difference to students’ sense of belonging, and the importance of seeing the academic and wider student experiences as one.

Reflections from the Aston Learning and Teaching Festival 2025 - Part 1

In this first of a two-part special, Karishma Patel (Teaching Fellow in Economics, Aston University) reflects on the recent Aston University Learning and Teaching Festival, held oncampus on 1st April 2025. The festival brought together staff and students to share ideas, explore innovative practice, and discuss some of the key challenges in higher education today. In this episode, the focus is on the themes of Digital and AI in Learning and Teaching, and Assessment and Feedback. We hear from keynote speakers Francis Goodburn (Founding Headteacher, Aston University Mathematics School) and Professor Naomi Winstone (Professor of Educational Psychology, University of Surrey). We also hear from two of Aston’s Associate Deans for Education and Student Experience, Paul Jones (College of Business and Social Sciences) and Saira Hussain (School of Optometry). Finally, we hear some reflections from Robbie Love (Senior Lecturer in Communication and Culture, Aston University). The episode explores a range of insights from the evolving role of the lecturer in an AI-driven world to how we can enhance student engagement with feedback. Join Karishma as she reflects on all the great discussions that happened across the day.