Role
Associate Dean (Teaching & Learning)
Faculty of Science & Technology
Qualifications & background
HEA National Teaching Fellow (2009)
Associate Professor (Biological Aspects of Health) 2006 -present
University of Plymouth Teaching Fellow 2003-4
TLHE/SEDA certificate qualification 1998
Lecturer in Biological Sciences 1996-2006
Associate Lecturer in Biological Sciences (University of Plymouth) 1995-1996
Temporary Biological Sciences lecturer/demonstrator (University of Plymouth) 1993-1994.
Research Fellow (Parasitology) in Zoology Department at British Museum (Natural History) London, 1991-1993.
Ph.D. Marine Parasitology (University of Exeter) 1991.
B.Sc (Hons) Marine Biology (University of Liverpool) 1987.
Professional membership
FLS, Fellow of the Linnean Society (London)
FHEA, Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
STEM Ambassador
Roles on external bodies
Co-opted Member of The Biosciences Federation 'Education Committee' (2006-8)
BBSRC School Science Local Co-ordinator, Plymouth (1997 - 2011)
International advisor on NTFS funded project at University of Gloucestershire
External Advisor on Bioscience Employability Project at University of Leicester
Teaching interests
National Teaching Fellow 2009
University of Plymouth CETL/CEPPL Innovation Fellow 2007-8
University of Plymouth CETL/CEPPL Innovation Fellow 2006-7
University of Plymouth Teaching Fellow 2003-4
Current teaching responsibilities include biological aspects of health within Faculty of Health & Education programmes; including Paramedicine and Midwifery. In addition to this, I am also responsible for embryology and health biology provision on BSc programmes within the Faculty of Science & Technology, including Human Biosciences, Biomedical Sciences and Healthcare Sciences.
Staff serving as external examiners
Research interests
My current research interests are centered on research-informed teaching, in particular the role of undergraduate e-journals. I have an interest in the development and impact of innovative educational resources (including e-learning) for healthcare and bioscience students, as well as an interest in the public communication and engagement with science.
UoP Research group membership
Dietetics and Health
e-Learning
Food, Nutrition and Health
Pedagogic Research Institute and Observatory (PedRIO)
Other research
Conference Presentations Include:
Gresty, K.A. & Edwards-Jones, A. (2011) Making the unknown known: Supporting transition into final year science programmes. University of Plymouth VC's Teaching & Learning Conference, Plymouth. UK.
Edwards-Jones, A. & Gresty, K. (2010) The Plymouth Experience of Undergraduate e-Journals. Poster Presentation at the International Perspectives on Undergraduate Research and Inquiry event (Pre-ISSOTL seminar). Liverpool, UK. 19/10/10.
Gresty, K. & Edwards-Jones, A. (2010) Making a Difference to Transition From Foundation Degrees into Final Year University Science Programmes. Presentation at 5th International Inquiring Pedagogies Conference 'Conceptualising Impact: Exploring the effectiveness of practice through pedagogic research'. University of Coventry (IPED, 2010).
Barlow, M.J., Findlay, M., Gresty, K. and Cooke, C.B.(2009) Oral Creatine supplementation has no significant effect on body composition, repeated upper body anaerobic power and competition performance in club level surfers. Presentation at The British Association of Sport and Exercise Sciences Annual conference, Leeds.
Edwards, A. & Gresty, K. (2009): Exploring both sides of an undergraduate journal: celebrating excellence and supporting academic writing. Presentation at 4th International Inquiring Pedagogies Conference 'Researching Beyond Boundaries, Academic Communities without Borders’. University of Coventry (iPED 2009) http://cuba.coventry.ac.uk/iped09presentations/
Edwards, A. & Gresty, K. (2009) Enhancing Final Year Projects: A Stakeholder Study. Poster presentation at the Science Learning and Teaching Conference, Heriot-Watt University.http://www.bioscience.heacademy.ac.uk/ftp/events/sltc09/posters/p18edwards.pdf
Barlow, M.J, Findlay, M, Gresty, K and Cooke, C.B. (2008) Can physiological indices of fitness predict competitive national rank in high performance junior British surfers? Poster presentation at The European College of Sports Science (ECSS) 13th Annual congress, Estoril, Portugal, July, 2008.
Edwards, A, Gresty, K., Kingston, K. & Auburn, T. (2008) The Plymouth Student Scientist. Presentation at The Full 360: Mapping the Undergraduate Research Inquiry Landscape conference at University of Gloucestershire, UK.
Gresty, K., Auburn. T., Kingston, K. & Edwards, A. (2008) Using an e-journal to support research-informed teaching. Presentation at Informing Active Engagement in Learning and Teaching for 21st Century Universities conference, University of Gloucestershire, UK.
Gresty, K., Evenden, A. & Wright, L. (2008) Developing and re-inforcing practice learning links in a clinical setting. Poster presentation at Sharing Innovation in Placement Learning Conference, University of Plymouth, UK.
Gresty, K. & Evenden, A. (2007) Thinking in Practice: Supporting the development of genetics competencies. Presentation at the Higher Education Academy Annual Conference, Harrogate, UK.
Gresty, K., Evenden, A., Skirton, H. & Green, G. (2006) From competencies to learning outcomes: The GeneSense Example. Pedagogical Research in Higher Education Conference Poster Presentation, Liverpool Hope University, UK. Available online at: http://hopelive.hope.ac.uk/PRHE/poster/gresty.pdf
Cotton, D. & Gresty, K. (2005) Research in E-learning: How can it be improved? Presentation at the Higher Education Academy Annual Conference, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh, UK.
Gresty, K. & Cotton, D. (2005) Exploring students' experience of online learning using the think aloud method. Presentation at the Society for Research into Higher Education Conference, Edinburgh, UK.
Research degrees awarded to supervised students
Current PhD students:
Matt Barlow (member of staff in Faculty of Science)
Research area: Factors that affect performance and physiological response in elite-level surfers.
Cathy Schofield (member of staff, University Partner Colleges)
Research area: Scholarly activity by staff in an HE in FE context: impact on curriculum delivery and the student experience
Grants & contracts
Grants/Awards obtained post-2000:
2011, University of Plymouth PedRIO Award £18, 035 for 'Risk Management in Research-informed Teaching: An interdisciplinary enquiry' (K. Gresty, W. Pan & T. Heffernan).
2009, Higher Education Academy National Teaching Fellowship £10,000 (K. Gresty)
2009, EL-CETL Staff Development Award, £2,800 for 'Turning Point' interactive hardware equipment (K. Gresty)
2009, University of Plymouth TQEF Research-informed Teaching Award, £10,000. Plymouth Student e-journals: embedding and disseminating good practice (K.Gresty, A. Edwards, O. Kelly, C. Pettinger).
2009, BBSRC £3,200 Men in White Meet The Fly. Two outreach events to encourage a dialogue between scientists and the public, and to provide hands-on laboratory experience for high school pupils. The events highlight the genetic similarity between humans and the fruit fly Drosophila – in particular how this links in to Darwin's evolution concept. (J. Chilton & K. Gresty).
2008, University of Plymouth Experiential Learning (EL-CETL) Award £338 for the development of two hands-on 'Bone Boxes' for Paramedic Practitioner students in Lab+ (K.Gresty)
2008, University of Plymouth TQEF Award £13, 969 for the development of two new Plymouth Student e-journals (a research-informed teaching project).(K.Gresty, R. Jones, O. Kelly & A. Edwards).
2008, HEA Centre for Bioscience Departmental Teaching Enhancement Award, £9,087. Enhancing Final Year Projects: A stakeholder Perspective (K.Gresty)
2007, University of Plymouth CETL/CEPPL £3,425.38 Innovations Award Supporting critical thinking skills in practice: The GeneSense Toolkit (K. Gresty, A. Evenden, L. Wright)
2007, University of Plymouth TQEF Award £55,000 for a Faculty of Science undergraduate e-journal to promote student research involvement and research-informed teaching. The Plymouth Student Scientist can be accessed at http://www.theplymouthstudentscientist.org.uk (K. Gresty, K. Kingston, T.Auburn & A. Edwards).
2006, Higher Education Assistive Technology/ TECHDIS Award (Health Sciences & Practice) £386.25 for a teaching/learning intervention entitled: 'Play it again: enhancing learning using portable digital recorders' (K.Gresty & A. Evenden) (See report below)
2006 University of Plymouth CETL/CEPPL £5,000 Innovations Award: Supporting genetics in midwifery placements (K. Gresty, A. Evenden, H. Skirton & F. Doris).
2005-6 BBSRC £4,998. Syncapoda: Exploring Insect Biology through Dance. A collaborative project with the Barbican Theatre group, bringing together science and drama for a public engagement community initiative (P.Smithers & K. Gresty).
2005 BBSRC £2,000. Images and Experience - exploring the human impact of genetics. A National Science Week event for sixth formers and the general public at the Plymouth City Museum, to explore ethical issues generated by use of genetic technologies (K.Gresty, H. Skirton, A. Evenden, H. Fothergill).
2004-5 HEFCE LTSN Health Sciences & Practice £4,000. Using a think aloud protocol to evaluate an on-line resource for nursing students (K. Gresty & D. Cotton) (See report below).
2004-5 BBSRC £5,000. A little of what you fancy: making balanced food choices. A nutrition-based public engagement with science activity at the Plymouth City Museum, in conjunction with a Bristol-based science company, 'Explorer Dome'.(K. Gresty, P. Smithers, F. Phillips, A. de Looy)
2004 HEFCE. Active Community Fund £1,000. To support and develop voluntary community activities in conjunction with the Mount Street Community Environmental Project (K. Gresty & P.Smithers).
2003-4 University of Plymouth Teaching Fellowship Award £5,000 for GeneSense Project (K. Gresty, A. Evenden, H. Skirton & G. Green).
2003 BBSRC £2,000. Brain Awareness Event. B3L: Brain, Biology, Behaviour & Learning on 16th & 18th March 2004 (K. Gresty, A.Evenden & P.Farrand).
2003-4 BBSRC £2,000. Mount Street Community Environmental Project. To develop and support an environmental and educational green site area for local community use in Plymouth. (K. Gresty & P.Smithers).
2002 BBSRC £2,000 National Science Week grant for 10 public performances of the puppet show ‘Real Bugs’ activity (K. Gresty, R.Williamson & P.Smithers)
2001 University of Plymouth SCIL grant £1,500 for Feedback Focus online feedback and learning resources database for nursing students (K. Gresty & A.Evenden).
2000 BBSRC £7,500 Public Understanding of Science grant for minibeast puppet show (in conjunction with a local theatre company) to communicate scientific concepts to a non-specialist audience (K. Gresty L.Ebdon & P.Smithers).
Creative practice & artistic projects
In 2000, I received a BBSRC £7,500 Public Understanding of Science grant to develop a puppet show in conjunction with a local theatre company, Jacolly Puppet Theatre, and with another University colleague (Pete Smithers). The aim of the project was to communicate scientific concepts to a non-specialist audience, exploring the issues of local biodiversity, food chains and invertebrate feeding mechanisms. The project was entitled 'Real Bugs' and the show has been performed by Jacolly Puppet Theatre at numerous venues around the country including the B.A Festival of Science, the Natural History Museum (London) and also at the Birmingham ThinkTank. A supplementary resource pack for classroom use to accompany the show was developed and made available for teachers to use (free of charge), published jointly by the BBSRC and the University of Plymouth.
In addition to the above, I was the only female scientist from the University involved with the 'Weird Worlds' steering group, which organised a two month long science exhibition at the Plymouth City Museum during March and April 2003. I jointly co-ordinated the 'Bugs Alive' week, which featured a leaf-cutter ant colony, the 'Real Bugs' puppet show, other live invertebrates and an opportunity to find out about helpful and harmful bugs/germs.
Another venture funded by the BBSRC was the 'Syncapoda' project, which was a joint activity with Pete Smithers and the Plymouth Barbican Theatre. This project brought together scientists, dancers and young people to explore how insects move. It was targeted at both school children and the wider community, performing at a number of venues in the south west during summer 2006.
Publications
Selected Publications
Gresty, K. A.
& Edwards-Jones, A. (2012) Experiencing research-informed teaching from the student perspective: Insights from developing an undergraduate e-journal. British Journal of Educational Technology 43(1) p153-162
Cotton, D.R.E. & Gresty, K.A (2008) Barriers to Student Engagement with Educational Technology: Insights from a think-aloud study. Chapter 7 in 'New Educational Technology’, pp149-163 (Edited by R. Kobayashi). Nova Publishers, USA. ISBN: 978-1-60456-037-4
Cotton, D.R.E. & Gresty, K. A. (2007) The rhetoric and reality of e-learning: using the think aloud method to evaluate an online resource. Assessment and Evaluation in Higher Education 32 (5) p583-600.
Gresty, K., Skirton, H. & Evenden, A. (2007) Addressing the issue of e-learning and online genetics for health professionals. Nursing and Health Sciences 9 (1) p14-22.
Cotton, D. & Gresty, K. (2006) Reflecting on the think aloud method for evaluating e-learning. British Journal of Educational Technology 37 (1) p45-54.
Gresty, K.A & Cotton, D.R.E. (2003) Supporting Biosciences in the Nursing Curriculum: The development and evaluation of an on-line resource. Journal of Advanced Nursing 44 (4) p339 –349.
Other Publications:
Attrill, M.J., Gresty, K.A., Hill, R.A. & Barton, R.A. (2008) Red shirt colour is associated with long-term team success in English football. Journal of Sports Sciences, 26(6) p577-582. (DOI: 10.1080/02640410701736244)
Barlow, M.; Findlay, M., Gresty, K. & Cooke, C. (In press) Anthropometric variables and their relationship to performance and ability in male surfers. European Journal of Sport Science
Evenden, A.J. & Gresty, K.A. (2007) The Physiology of Human Ageing. Chapter 2 in 'Medication Management In Care of Older People' pp19-38 (Edited by M. Banning). Blackwell Publishers, UK.
ISBN 978-1-4051-5174-0
Skirton, H., Gresty, K.A., Green , G. & Evenden, A.J. (2006). A proposed set of learning outcomes for genetic competency in nursing and midwifery.
Available at Education Online:
http://www.leeds.ac.uk/educol/documents/150944.htm
Gresty, K. (2005) Teaching Fellowships - what's in it for me? Ethos 6 (May), Invited article, University of Plymouth.
Green, G., Skirton, H., Gresty, K. & Evenden, A. (2004) Genetic education for health professionals - GeneSense, an online interactive resource. Journal of Medical Genetics, 41 S84 Supplt. 1.
Smithers, P., Gresty, K. & Jay, C. (2003) Real Bugs Resource Pack. Published jointly by the University of Plymouth and Biotechnology and Biological Sciences Research Council. ISBN: 07084 06505.
Gresty, K.A., Boxshall, G.A. & Nagasawa, K. (1993) The fine structure and function of the cephalic appendages of the branchiuran parasite, Argulus japonicus Thiele. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society, London B. 339 p119-135.
Gresty, K.A., Boxshall, G.A. & Nagasawa K. (1993) Antennulary sensors of the infective copepodid larva of sea lice (Copepoda: Caligidae). In: Pathogens of Wild and Farmed Atlantic Salmon: Sea Lice. Ellis Horwood Books. p.83-98. ISBN: 0-13-015504-7
Gresty, K.A. & Warren, A. (1993) Incidence of Ciliate Epibionts on Lepeophtheirus salmonis from Salmon in Japan and Scotland. In: Pathogens of Wild and Farmed Atlantic Salmon: Sea Lice. Ellis Horwood Books. p.356-363. ISBN: 0-13-015504-7
Gresty, Karen A. (1992) Ultrastructure of the Midgut of the Copepod Mytilicola intestinalis Steuer, an Endoparasite of the Mussel Mytilus edulis L. Journal of Crustacean Biology 12(2) p169-177.
Gresty, K.A. & Quarmby, C. (1991) The Trophic Level of Mytilicola intestinalis Steuer (Copepoda: Poecilostomatoida) in Mytilus edulis L., as Determined from Stable Isotope Analysis. Proceedings of the Fourth International Conference on Copepoda; Bulletin of the Plankton Society of Japan, Special Volume. p363-371.
Gresty, K.A. (1990) The Feeding Biology of Mytilicola intestinalis Steuer, in the mussel host Mytilus edulis L., and other host - parasite relationships. Ph.D Thesis, University of Exeter, (Unpublished) England, pp196.
Reports & invited lectures
Invited case study for NTF Project (Creative Hops), University of Gloucestershire
Gresty, K. (2010) Research into Practice: An alternative format for final year Bioscience honours project
http://insight.glos.ac.uk/tli/activities/ntf/creativehops/examples/Pages/ExamplesofCreativeHonoursprojectsfromScience,Technology,EngineeringandMathematics.aspx
Invited case study for Centre for Active Learning (CeAL), University of Gloucestershire
Gresty, K. (2009) 'The Plymouth Student Scientist': an undergraduate e-journal
http://resources.glos.ac.uk/ceal/resources/casestudiesactivelearning/undergraduate/casestudy14.cfm
Gresty, K . (2007) Play it again: enhancing learning using portable digital recorders.TechDis HEAT Funded project for Health Sciences & Practice Subject Centre. Report available online at:
http://www.techdis.ac.uk/index.php?p=2_1_7_6
Gresty, K. & Cotton. D. (2006) Using a think-aloud protocol to evaluate an on-line resource for nursing students. Health Sciences & Practice Subject Centre funded project. Peer-reviewed report available online at: http://www.health.heacademy.ac.uk/projects/miniprojects/gresty.pdf
Conferences organised
The University of Plymouth 'VC's Teaching & Learning Conference' Steering Group Member, 2004- 2007.
Peninsula Bioethics Research Group One Day Seminar (7th July 2006) entitled: 'Bioethics Horizons: new tools for new challenges?'
Other academic activities
BBSRC 'Public Engagement with Science' Grant Reviewer and Panel Member 2006-7
Manuscript reviewer for 'Health Education Review' and 'Educational Research and Reviews'
Book reviewer for Oxford University Press; Jones & Bartlett Publishers; Routledge Publishers.
