Dr Aga Gordon

I am a Senior Lecturer in Entrepreneurship and Innovation. I joined Canterbury Christ Church University in September 2019 and the Business School in April 2023. I am a bilingual (Polish and English), multicultural and interdisciplinary researcher, entrepreneur and educator. I have over 25 years of combined experience in academia, business and third sector. Before joining the Christ Church Business School at CCCU, I was a Research Fellow, Project Manager and the Educational Consortium Lead at the LASAR Centre, also at CCCU, an Associate Professor in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry at University of Wroclaw in Poland, an Honorary Research Fellow at University of Edinburgh, an Owner and Managing Director for a global translation and consultancy company and a CEO of an educational social enterprise.

My experience, knowledge and skills span across STEM (chemistry and computational modelling), education, entrepreneurship and business management. I am passionate about networking, collaboration, sustainability, equality and inclusion and transforming lives through education and enterprise. I have experience and a track record at building strategic partnerships within academia, SMEs and the third sector internationally. I am also experienced in instigating, leading and delivering a large, multi-institutional and multinational research projects and initiatives. As an early adopter of technology – I used internet and remote working from the late 1990s - I have a breadth of experience in using digital technologies. I am passionate about creativity and innovation both in teaching and learning, and in the workplace.

I engage in collaborative research projects across the CCCU and academia nationally and internationally as well as with industry and charities. I am also heavily involved in voluntary work through several non-executive director roles.

I have a Master’s Degree in chemistry, a PhD in Physical and Theoretical Chemistry from University of Wroclaw, Poland, and a Master of Business Administration (MBA Executive) Degree obtained from the Open University, UK. I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.

Membership of Professional Bodies and Networks:

• Senior Fellow of Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) Home | Advance HE (advance-he.ac.uk)
• Fellow of Chartered Management Institute (FCMI) CMI Career Confidence | Management & Leadership Development (managers.org.uk)
• Member of Royal Society of Chemistry (MRSC) The Royal Society of Chemistry (rsc.org)
• Member of Society for Research into Higher Education SRHE | Society for Research into Higher Education | SRHE.ac.uk
• Member of British Academy of Management (MBAM) Homepage (bam.ac.uk)
• Member of Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship (ISBE) ISBE — Institute for Small Business and Entrepreneurship - research, policy, practice
• Associate of Enterprise Educators UK Enterprise Educators UK

I am an expert in innovative pedagogies, digital technologies and creative methods for teaching and learning. My teaching is student focused, and often co-created with students to instigate love for learning and ensure students realise their full potential. I am passionate about widening participation and work tirelessly to deliver curricula, pedagogies and outreach that appeal to all students.

I have over 20 years of teaching experience across schools and higher education with several years of business management training design and delivery provided to SMEs internationally.

I am currently a module lead for New Venture Creation (Level 6) and Contemporary Issues in Business Management and Marketing (Level 0) and tutor on Strategy and Globalisation (MBA/MSc International).

In the recent years, I have taught:

• Interdisciplinary teaching for Initial teacher education (CCCU and several Universities in the UK)
• Strategy and globalisation (MBA/MSc programme) – module lead and module tutor
• New Venture Creation (Level 6) – module lead and tutor
• Contemporary Issues in Business Management and Marketing (Level 0) - module lead and tutor
• General Engineering and Science Skills (Level 0) - module lead and tutor
• CDIO (Conceive, Design, Implement, Operate) – real world problem solving for engineering students -working with industry.
• Creative problem solving and innovation (workshops and training for SMEs and micro companies)
• CPD workshops for academics, entrepreneurs and teachers.

I also previously taught:

• Physical and Theoretical Chemistry including: Quantum chemistry, Computational modelling, Group theory,
• Bilingualism and bilingual upbringing strategies
• Polish language (ages 8-14, Polish GCSE)

I am also engaged in post-graduate student supervision.

I am an active interdisciplinary researcher, with over 40 peer-reviewed, international publications, articles and book chapters. My research areas cover broadly: entrepreneurship and entrepreneurial education, innovation, leadership, sustainability, STEM, and education. I am particularly interested in combination of these with relation to tech, diversity and inclusion, widening participation, interdisciplinarity, start-ups, SMEs, minority communities and charitable sector.

 

To see all my published work please visit my ORCID profile here: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5752-7087

Recent publications:

1. Berski, S. and Gordon, A.J., Topological analysis of Electron Localization Function (ELF) as a Tool for Understanding Electronic Structure, Editor(s): Manuel Yáñez, Russell J. Boyd (eds), Comprehensive Computational Chemistry (First Edition), Elsevier, 2024, Pages 122-151, ISBN 9780128232569, https://doi.org/10.1016/B978-0-12-821978-2.00062-3
2. Billingsley, B., Riga, F., Gordon, A.J. and Windsor, M.(2023) Embedding epistemic insight (EI) in teacher training programmes in English universities: barriers and how to overcome them, Teacher Development, DOI: 1080/13664530.2023.2236056
3. Shalet, D., Gordon, A.J, Simpson, S., Hassanin, H., Lawson, F., Manley, K., Thomas, C., Lawson, M., Litchfield, A., Canetta, E., Choong, C. (2023). The Epistemic Insight Digest: Issue 5 (Autumn 2022). Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.7712587
4. Shalet, D. (ed)., Gordon, A.J., Cullimore, M., Hackett, L., Jennings, B.-L., Semaan, A. S., the LASAR team, & Pickett, M. (2022). The Epistemic Insight Digest Issue 4. Zenodo. https://doi.org/10.5281/zenodo.6802952
5. Berski, S. and Gordon, A. J. (2021) New J. Chem., 45, 16740-16749, https://doi.org/10.1039/d1nj01963e
6. Michalski, M., Gordon A.J., Berski,S. (2021) Theoretical insights and quantitative prediction of the nature of boron–chalcogen (O, S, Se, Te) interactions using the electron density and the electron localisation function (ELF), Polyhedron, Volume 210, 115495, ISSN 0277-5387, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2021.115495.
7. Mierzwa, G., Gordon, A.J. and Berski, S., (2020) The nature of multiple boron-nitrogen bonds studied using electron localization function (ELF), electron density (AIM), and natural bond orbital (NBO) methods; Journal of Molecular Modeling vol. 26, p. 136; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00894-020-04374-9
8. Mierzwa, G., Gordon, A.J., Berski,S. (2020) The nature of the triple BB, double, BB, single, B–B, and one-electron, B.B boron-boron bonds from the topological analysis of electron localisation function (ELF) perspective, Journal of Molecular Structure, Volume 1221, p. 128530, ISSN 0022-2860, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.molstruc.2020.128530.
9. Michalski, M., Gordon A.J., Berski,S. (2019) Journal of Molecular Modeling; 25: 211; https://doi.org/10.1007/s00894-019-4075-7
10. Mierzwa, G., Gordon,A.J., Berski, S. (2019) Topological analysis of electron localisation function: Unlocking the nature of BC chemical bond. Possible existence of multiple bonds BC and BC, Polyhedron, Volume 170, Pages 180-187, ISSN 0277-5387, https://doi.org/10.1016/j.poly.2019.05.035
11. Michalski, M., Gordon A.J., Berski,S. (2019) Topological analysis of the electron localisation function (ELF) applied to the electronic structure of oxaziridine: the nature of N-O bond; Structural Chemistry 30:2181–2189; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11224-019-01407-9
12. Cmikiewicz, A., Gordon, A.J., Berski, S. (2018) Characterisation of the reaction mechanism between ammonia and formaldehyde from the topological analysis of ELF and catastrophe theory perspective; Struct Chem.vol. 29, pages. 243–255; https://doi.org/10.1007/s11224-017-1024-x
13.  Mierzwa, G., Gordon, A.J. and Berski, S., (2018) On the nature of the boron–copper interaction. Topological study of the electron localisation function (ELF); New J. Chem., 2018,42, 17096-17114; https://doi.org/10.1039/c8nj03516d
14. Mierzwa, G., Gordon, A.J. and Berski, S., (2018); The electronic structure of molecules with the BF and BCl bond in light of the topological analysis of electron localization function: Possibility of multiple bonds? International Journal of Quantum Chemistry; vol.118, issue 24, https://doi.org/10.1002/qua.25781

 

I have received funding for my own and collaborative research from EU funding bodies, British Council, UK research funding bodies and charities.

My recent funded projects include:

• 2024 – Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - Astronomy and Epistemic Insight short courses for astronomy PhD students 2024 – Co-Investigator (£14,982), PI Prof. Berry Billingsley.
• 2022 – 2023 - International Research Network for the study of Science and Belief in Society - Developing early career teachers’ engagement with science and religion through exploring sustainability issues in a learning community - Co-Investigator, (£9900), PI Prof. Berry Billingsley
• 2022-2023 – Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) - Astronomy and Epistemic Insight short courses for astronomy PhD students – Co-Investigator (£14,516), PI Prof. Berry Billingsley
• 2019-2022 - Templeton World Charitable Fund: The Epistemic Insight Initiative – Lead Research Fellow for the Consortium and Project Manager (£1,200,000). PI: Prof. Berry Billingsley
• 2021-2022 - Science and Technology Facilities Council – The Power of Light in collaboration with Diamond Lightsource – Project Manager and STEM Ambassador (£13,497), PI: Berry Billingsley
• 2020-2021 - Economic and Social Research Council - Essential experiences in science: addressing in primary enquiry based practical science created by lockdown and aiding school recovery - Project Manager (£99,732) PI: Berry Billingsley
• 2019-2020 - Science and Technology Facilities Council - Thinking like a Physicist - co-authored and coordinated submission, Research Fellow (£13,497), PI: Berry Billingsley

• Interdisciplinary Research Network (IRN) Organisational Committee member
• Mentor and Assessor for the Higher Academy Fellowship Internal Programme at the CCCU
• The Ingenuity Programme mentor – this is a national innovation programme that directly addresses the UK's major social, health and environmental challenges through the creation of impactful new start-ups. The Ingenuity Programme - impact through enterprise (ingenuityimpact.org)
• STEM Ambassador with STEM Learning UK - I undertake a range of STEM related activities including career fairs, workshops and talk for schools and public, national Primary Engineer and Lego competitions.
• Honorary Fellow at Faculty of Chemistry, University of Wroclaw, Poland
• A Trustee of Ethnic Minorities in Canterbury CIO – a charitable organisation supporting BAME communities locally Ethnic Minorities in Canterbury – EMIC
• Founding CEO of Polish Educational Club in Kent CIC
• Founder and Headteacher of JC Korzeniowski Polish Saturday School
• A Trustee and vice-chair of the Board of Trustees - Inspira Multi Academy Trust – I have been involved in school governance since 2011 Inspira Academy
• Committee member of the Kent Local Section Committee of the Royal Society of Chemistry

Due to my external activities, I was awarded the following:

• 2023 Inspiring Committee Award (Royal Society of Chemistry)
• 2022 Medal of the National Education Commission (Medal KEN) awarded by Polish government for exceptional achievements to education
• 2021 Gold medal for long term services to leading and developing Polish education abroad awarded by Polish Educational Society in London
• 2020-2021 Christ Church Staff Recognition Awards for Most Outstanding Contribution to Working Together (LASAR, CCCU)
• 2014 Lord Mayor Award for services to community
• 2000 Faculty of Chemistry Dean's Award for exceptional achievements to teaching and research

 

I have organised and chaired several conferences, most recently:

• Epistemic Insight Consortium Conference in Science Museum, London, November 2019 - a day conference of including consortium speakers from 10 Higer Education consortium members. 38 participants; Consortium Lead and Chair
• Minischolarship Day, CCCU, February 2020, Co-organiser
• LASAR conference ONLINE, June 2020 - online conference for over 100 participants from 5 continents. Chair
• Consortium Conference in collaboration with St. Mary's University, Twickenham; November 2021 - a day conference including consortium speakers from Higer Education consortium members and partner schools. 48 participants. Chair
• LASAR 2022 Conference, St. Mary's Twickenham; Co-Chair

I enjoy sharing my research and discussing my findings with colleagues and the interested public. I am regularly invited to present my research at research seminars, workshops and conferences in the UK and abroad. Some recent lectures include:

 

Invited lectures:

November 2023: Creating effective pitch to effectively obtain funding from industry – e-formula engineering society, School of Engineering, Technology and Design, CCCU – this resulted in students obtaining 70k funding for their project.

December 2023 Writing professional and business reports – GESS, School of Engineering, Technology and Design, CCCU

January 2023: Invited lecture and interactive workshop: Introduction to epistemic insight and interdisciplinary teaching and learning. How STEM can be combined with other disciplines to enrich answers to Big Questions?, University of Leicester, UK.

February 2022: Invited lecture and interactive workshop: Epistemic insight initiative – interdisciplinary teaching and learning in Initial Teacher Education, University of Leicester.

April 2022: Invited lecture: Multidisciplinary teaching in primary classroom – developing critical and scholarly thinking through linking science and other disciplines to answer big questions; St. Mary’s University, Twickenham.

May 2022: Invited lecture and interactive workshop: Big Questions in the classroom – using interactive multidisciplinary activites to solve real-life problems; University of Roehampton, UK

June 2022: Invited lecture and interactive workshop: Epistemic Insight – how secondary school teachers can work across disciplines to enhance teaching and learning; University of Birmingham

June 2022: Invited lecture: Epistemic Insight – how innovative multidisciplinary approach can enhance teacher education in Scotland; University of Strathclyde, Glasgow

January 2021: Invited lecture: Creating Epistemically Insightful Learning Experiences in Primary Classrooms –Insights into the Nature of Science; Primary Science Conference, Leeds Trinity University.

November 2021: Invited lecture and interactive workshop: Scientific inquiry and Big Questions; University of Hull.

 

Conference presentations:

Dr Aga Gordon: CCCU Research Space Repository (canterbury.ac.uk)

 

 

Social Profiles

ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-5752-7087

GOOGLE SCHOLAR ‪Agnieszka J Gordon - ‪Google Scholar

LINKEDIN Dr Agnieszka (Aga) (Abkowicz) Gordon PhD, MBA (Open), SFHEA, MRSC, FCMI, PRINCE2 | LinkedIn

TWITTER @acgtranslation