Staff
Professor Tim Cooper
Dean of Learning and Teaching
Email tim.cooper@otago.ac.nz
Tim provides strategic leadership to enhance teaching quality, drive educational innovation, support staff development, and ensure an inclusive, research-informed learning experience across the University of Otago.
Dr Russell Butson
Head of Academic Teaching Development | Tumuaki o te Whakawhanaketanga o te Whakaako Mātauranga
Email russell.butson@otago.ac.nz
Russell leads strategic educational change across the university, shaping curriculum, assessment, learning design, and AI-informed educational practice.
Dr Lee Adam
Principal Adviser – Academic Integrity | Kaiarataki Rangatira Pono ā-Kura
Email lee.adam@otago.ac.nz
Lee provides advice on academic integrity and academic misconduct, and integrating accessible, equitable, and educational academic integrity practices into teaching. Lee supports staff and students across the University towards ensuring our students learn with integrity.
Dr Ammar Karkar
Principal Adviser - Advanced and Emerging Technologies | Kaiarataki Rangatira Hangarau Whatutoto, Hangarau Puaki
Email ammar.karkar@otago.ac.nz
Ammar provides leadership, advice, and training around advanced and emerging technologies in learning and teaching. This involves investigating how advanced and emerging technologies, such as AI, can be ethically, pedagogically, and effectively integrated into higher education.
Dr Stephen Scott
Principal Adviser – Learner Success | Kaiarataki Rangatira Angitu o te Tauira
Email stephen.scott@otago.ac.nz
Stephen investigates student success, with the help of institutional data, with emphasis on equity of outcomes for priority students, the transition from school to university, the first-year experience, and what students bring with them from school.
Dr Rebecca Bird
Senior Professional Practice Fellow Learner Success
Email rebecca.bird@otago.ac.nz
Rebecca supports the Dean Learning and Teaching, engages in research into learner success, and brings student centric learner success perspectives to CEDI projects.
Dr Julie Timmermans
Educational Designer (Commerce) | Kaihoahoa Mātauranga
Email julie.timmermans@otago.ac.nz
Julie collaborates with academic staff to design papers and programmes that are intentional, aligned, inclusive, and that promote deep learning. Julie weaves together insights from scholarship, staff’s rich experiences, and her own personal teaching experience to support the creation of learning environments that allow both teachers and learners to flourish.
Dr Sheena Townsend
Educational Designer (Sciences) | Kaihoahoa Mātauranga
Email sheena.townsend@otago.ac.nz
Sheena works with academic staff to design and improve courses, assessments, and learning experiences. Sheena supports colleagues to get the best from their teaching by facilitating effective student learning through evidence-based approaches to teaching, with a focus on engagement and success, while maintaining sustainable workloads for educators.
Chen Wang
Educational Designer (Humanities) | Kaihoahoa Mātauranga
Email chen.wang@otago.ac.nz
Chen focuses on supporting teaching and learning, programme development and curriculum design. Chen has a strong interest in Digital Learning, AI in teaching and learning, and learning analytics. She enjoys working collaboratively with teaching staff to build effective networks, share ideas and practices, and explore innovative teaching practice together.
Ryan Walker
Educational Technologist | Ringa Hangarau Mātauranga
Email ryan.walker@otago.ac.nz
Ryan supports the thoughtful use of educational technology to create effective, engaging, and accessible learning experiences. Ryan’s work focuses on understanding the needs of teachers and learners, exploring emerging technologies, designing practical solutions, and helping translate ideas between technical, academic, and creative domains.
Janic Gorman
Educational Technologist | Ringa Hangarau Mātauranga
Email janic.gorman@otago.ac.nz
Janic helps staff turn complex and abstract teaching ideas into clear, engaging learning experiences, using technology, media, AI, and practical design to make learning work better.
Jamie Morris
Educational Technologist | Ringa Hangarau Mātauranga
Email jamie.morris@otago.ac.nz
Jamie helps staff plan or deliver online activities with impact. Jamie has a wealth of experience helping cross-functional teams transform large class teaching with engaging activities and innovative designs.
Student Academic Services
General enquiries
Email sas@otago.ac.nz
Dr Rob Wass
Team Leader of Learning Advisers, Student Academic Success
Email rob.wass@otago.ac.nz
Rob leads the Student Academic Success team, overseeing the delivery of academic skills support for students across four campuses. This includes consultations, workshops, and the development of digital learning resources. Rob also contributes to strategic initiatives that enhance student learning and success across the University.
Dr Mark Owusu
Learning Adviser and Academic Lead, Peer Learning Programme
Email mark.owusu@otago.ac.nz
Mark provides academic support to students and leads the Peer Learning Programme at Otago, including the Peer Assisted Study Sessions (PASS) programme, and one-to-one consultations focused on academic writing, study skills, and time management, among other support services. Mark also supports students through the programme’s suite of services, including English language, mathematics, and course content assistance.
Pauline Brook
Learning Adviser
Email pauline.brook@otago.ac.nz
Pauline provides 1-1 consultations and facilitates a suite of workshops for undergraduates and postgraduate students enrolled in taught papers. Pauline also provides resources and requesting material if students are unable to attend a workshop.
Dr Daniela Rosenstreich
Learning Adviser – Ōtautahi (Christchurch) Campus
Email learningadvisor.uoc@otago.ac.nz
Daniela meets with students one-on-one, gives tailored presentations to classes, and runs workshops on academic skills.
Dr Trish Morison
Learning Adviser – Pōneke (Wellington) Campus
Email trish.morison@otago.ac.nz
Trish offers support at all stages of study including study skills, time management, assignment planning, structuring and reviewing work through face-to-face or online sessions. In particular, Trish has expertise in health science and medicine.
Pam Melgren
Learning Adviser – Murihiku (Invercargill) Campus
Email pam.melgren@otago.ac.nz
Pam helps to improve confidence and competency in studying-related skills and approaches, through workshops on study-related skills and topics and individual consultations with students.
Media Production Unit
Chris Youngson
Media Producer
Email chris.youngson@otago.ac.nz
Chris supports staff with filming, editing, livestreaming, teaching support video, and equipment hire, through creating educational video content.
Stuart MacKenzie
Media Producer
Email stuart.mackenzie@otago.ac.nz
Stuart supports staff with filming, editing, livestreaming, teaching support video, and equipment hire, through creating educational video content.
Jonathan Molloy
Media Producer
Email jonathan.molloy@otago.ac.nz
Jonathan supports staff with filming, editing, livestreaming, teaching support video, and equipment hire, through creating educational video content.
Operations
Centre for Educational Design and Innovation
Email cedi@otago.ac.nz
Student Academic Services
Email sas@otago.ac.nz
Suzanna Turner
Operations Manager | Kaiwhakahaere Mahi
Email suzanna.turner@otago.ac.nz
Suzanna oversees CEDI’s operations and coordinates incoming projects and work requests, helping connect people, priorities, and resources across the centre.
Anna Johnson
Administrator | Kaiwhakahaere
Email anna.johnson@otago.ac.nz
Anna provides assistance for general CEDI enquiries, assists with office management and supports the wider CEDI team.
Natalie Grattan
Administrator | Kaiwhakahaere
Email natalie.grattan@otago.ac.nz
Natalie provides assistance for general CEDI enquiries, assists with office management and supports the wider CEDI team.
Cathrine Stensgaard
SAS Administrator
Email cathrine.stensgaard@otago.ac.nz
Cathrine supports Student Academic Skills (SAS) through managing consultations with Student Advisers, the Peer Learning Programme and SAS workshops.
Lilly Hughes
SAS Administrator
Email lilly.hughes@otago.ac.nz
Lilly supports Student Academic Skills (SAS) through managing consultations with Student Advisers, the Peer Learning Programme and SAS workshops.
PhD students
- Shiva Shafaei
- Natheeporn Keawkhong
- Pingjing Liang
- Pei Jun See
- Kexin Feng
- Yan Yang
- Victoria Chiwuzoh
- Annie An
- Chunyi Zhao
- Touseef Fatima