Dr Elfneh Bariso

I am a Senior Lecturer in Further Education and Skills in the School of Teacher Education. I am the lead for the Math's specialist pathway and the Developing Practice Module. I also serve as an academic link tutor with partner FE colleges.

With extensive experience in the field of education, I have held various teaching and training roles both in the UK and abroad. Throughout my career, I have had the opportunity to work in diverse educational contexts, including universities, colleges, adult education services and private and charitable organisations in Eritrea, Ethiopia and the UK. These experiences have provided me with valuable insights into different educational systems and approaches, enriching my understanding of pedagogy and creativity within various educational environments and modes of delivery. I have enjoyed teaching at all levels, from beginner stages to PhD levels.

Building on my practical experience, my research interests have evolved to reflect my diverse background. Currently, I am particularly interested in exploring teachers' professional experiences and the role of AI in education. I find great value in drawing upon different philosophical approaches to teaching, learning and research within a multidisciplinary ethos, as it enhances understanding and practices in the field. I actively contribute to research development within the field of education, promoting innovative and evidence-based practices. I am passionate about supporting and guiding students as they embark on their research and collaborative learning journeys. My current research studies deal with AI in education, the state of emotional labour among FE teachers and the experiences of trainee teachers who have an overseas educational background.

I undertake various research, training and development activities on my own and other colleagues. I am a reviewer for the International Journal of ICT Research in Africa and the Middle East (IJICTRAME), available at https://www.igi-global.com/journal/international-journal-ict-research-africa/152035. Additionally, I serve as the director of a development NGO called AHEAD, which can be found at https://aheadcharity.org/. Furthermore, I have been actively supporting universities in Ethiopia by delivering training sessions on research, teaching, and assessment methods. As an active member of the Global Knowledge Exchange Network project, I had the opportunity to collaborate with colleagues and publish a book on knowledge exchange. I actively engage in research, training activities and conferences involving schools, colleges, universities and policymakers in Ethiopia to promote educational development and enhance learning outcomes. One of my external collaborations was setting up a network with Professor Ruth Jepson and other colleagues, where we established a partnership to connect health professionals at Bule Hora University (https://www.bhu.edu.et/) in Ethiopia with the Scottish Collaboration for Public Health Research and Policy (SCPHRP) at the University of Edinburgh (https://www.ed.ac.uk/health/research/current-research/scphrp). This collaboration involved scholars from over twenty countries worldwide.