Learning and Teaching in Economics and International Business @ Aston University
This podcast, created by the Economics and International Business department at Aston University, shares insights, innovations, and best practices in teaching and learning. Led by Dr Karishma Patel, each episode features conversations with department members and guest speakers on topics they are passionate about. The aim is to benefit both the department and a wider audience interested in economics and business education.
Episodes
Building Entrepreneurial Mindset and Resilience Through Experiential Learning with Neha Prashar
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Neha Prashar (Aston University) to discuss a hands-on approach to teaching entrepreneurship and innovation.Wanting students to experience entrepreneurship rather than simply learn about it, Neha challenged her Master's students to design a product that could support student wellbeing using only a selection of basic materials like
From A Level to University Economics with Isobel Dawson (creator of Econosaurus)
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Isobel Dawson, creator of Econosaurus, an online platform providing resources and support for A-Level Economics teachers.They discuss the all-important transition from A level Economics to studying Economics at university, exploring some of the key differences between the two stages of study and how teachers can help students navigate
Reflections from the Aston L&T Festival 2026: Key Takeaways from the Festival and What’s Next? with Chris Wilson
This episode is part of a series reflecting on the AstonLearning & Teaching Festival, held in July 2026, which brought colleagues from across the University together to share innovative practice, exchange ideas and inspire new possibilities in learning and teaching.In this episode, Karishma Patel (AstonUniversity) is joined by Chris Wilson, Senior Teaching Fellow and Director of the Aston Cent
Reflections from the Aston L&T Festival 2026: The Future of Higher Education with Virginie Grzelczyk (plus Some Thoughts on NTFS & PFHEA)
This episode is part of a series reflecting on the AstonLearning & Teaching Festival, held in July 2026, which brought colleagues from across the University together to share innovative practice, exchange ideas and inspire new possibilities in learning and teaching.In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) isjoined by Virginie Grzelczyk, Head of Inclusion and Development at Aston Univ
Reflections from the Aston L&T Festival 2026: Understanding and Supporting Students’ Use of Disciplinary Tools with Dean Garratt & Chiara Paola Donegani
This episode is part of a series reflecting on the AstonLearning & Teaching Festival, held in July 2026, which brought colleagues from across the University together to share innovative practice, exchange ideas and inspire new possibilities in learning and teaching.In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) isjoined by Dean Garratt and Dr Chiara Paola Donegani, both Senior Teaching Fel
Reflections from the Aston L&T Festival 2026: Flexible Assessment with Miri Firth
This episode is part of a series reflecting on the AstonLearning & Teaching Festival, held in July 2026, which brought colleagues from across the University together to share innovative practice, exchange ideas and inspire new possibilities in learning and teaching.In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) isjoined by Miri Firth, Senior Lecturer at the University of Manchester and Pri
Reflections from the Aston L&T Festival 2026: What Stood Out? and Looking Ahead with Paul Jones
This episode is part of a series reflecting on the Aston Learning & Teaching Festival, held in July 2026, which brought colleagues from across the University together to share innovative practice, exchange ideas and inspire new possibilities in learning and teaching.In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Paul Jones, Associate Dean for Postgraduate Education and Student
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 refl
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 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 (CCC), an international network of
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 Universi
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 i
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 th
Bringing Concepts to Life: Analogy-Based Cartoons in Teaching – with Erkan Demirbas and colleagues from the University of Lincoln
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Erkan Demirbas, Davina Bird, Jane Charlesworth, and Abdul Haque from the University of Lincoln to share insights into their project, which focuses on creating analogy-based cartoons to enhance teaching in economics, statistics,and finance. James Burlison, a student at the University of Lincoln, also joins the discussion to share his views
A Negotiation Game to Embed Sustainability into the Curriculum – with Dr Alexandra Arntsen
In this episode, Dr Karishma Patel from Aston University speaks with Dr Alexandra Arntsen (Nottingham Business School) about her innovative approach to embedding sustainability into the curriculum. Alex talks us through her use of a negotiation role-playing game that she has used to engage students from various disciplines in discussions around climate change. She shares her thoughts on the import
Using Social Networks to Enhance Student Engagement with Dr Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez and Dr William Tayler
In this episode, Dr Karishma Patel from Aston University is joined by Dr Sofia Izquierdo Sanchez (University of Manchester) and Dr William Tayler (Lancaster University) to discuss their innovative use of Instagram in economics education. Together, they made the account dailylifeecon, where they create content designed to complement their teaching by connecting economic concepts to everyday life. T
Placements Unpacked: Application Tips, University Support & Life on Placement
Join us for an engaging live recording of the Learning and Teaching in Economics podcast, hosted by Dr Karishma Patel, a Teaching Fellow at Aston University. This episode covers all you need to know about placements for Aston's economics students! Second-year BSc Economics student Alex Taylor, currently applying for placements, leads the discussion and poses questions to our panel, including Place
Boosting Student Engagement Through Extra-Curricular Activities - A Design Thinking Approach
In this episode, Dr. Karishma Patel from Aston University welcomes three colleagues from Newcastle University Business School: Joanne Parker (Lecturer in Accounting), Dr. Ana Bogdanovic (Senior Lecturer in Marketing and Director of Education), and Dr. Yulia Dzenkovska (Lecturer in Marketing). Together, they share their experience of using the design thinking framework to enhance student engagement
Exploring Design Thinking in Higher Education with Tony Morgan
In this episode, Dr. Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Tony Morgan, an Associate Professor in Innovation Management Practice at Leeds University Business School. Tony is one of the founders of the University of Leeds' design thinking community. Design thinking is a problem-solving framework that focuses empathy and a user-centred approach to deeply understand issues and create eff
Technology in Teaching: Finding the Balance with Dr Alex Squires
In this episode, Dr Karishma Patel (Aston University) is joined by Dr Alex Squires (The University of Manchester), who recently presented at one of the Birmingham Economics Education Seminars (BEES). Alex shares examples of his use of technology in the classroom, and reflects on his journey towards finding a more balanced approach to integrating technology in teaching to improve student engagement
Aston Student Journeys: From Freshers to Finals
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) is in conversation with Aston students Sumedha Sharma (BSc Economics) and Luc Burns (BSc Economics and Management) who have recently completed their final year assessments. They share their experiences on making friends in the first year, navigating placement applications and managing their time during the final year. Whether you're a current
Increasing the Diversity in Economics Students with Discover Economics
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Sam McLoughlin (Senior Campaign Manager at Discover Economics), Dr Tim Burnett (Senior Teaching Fellow at Aston University and Academic Champion for Discover Economics), and Amy East (Student at Aston University and Student Champion for Discover Economics), to share insights into their collaborative efforts with Discover Economics to incre
Enhancing Learning and Engagement Through Escape Room Games with Dr Maria Psyllou
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Dr Maria Psyllou from the University of Birmingham, who recently presented at one of the Birmingham Economics Education Seminars (BEES), to discuss an escape room style game that she introduced into an introductory mathematics course for undergraduate economics students. Maria shares valuable insights into her approach, and provides useful
The role of A-levels in students' assessment expectations at university with Dr Annika Johnson
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Dr Annika Johnson from the University of Bristol to discuss how the role of A-levels affects students' assessment expectations at university. Drawing on her experience of teaching A-Level economics, and her present role teaching economics at university, Annika provides valuable insights into how our students' approaches to assessme
Procrastination Be Gone! Can task lists and weekly reminders improve student grades and reduce submission times?
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Dr Panagiotis Giannarakis, Dr Emanuela Lotti and Dr Jana Sadeh from the University of Southampton, who recently presented at one of the Birmingham Economics Education Seminars (BEES), to share insights from their ongoing research into whether we can improve student grades and reduce submission times by 'nudging' their procrastinati
Teaching Data Analysis Skills using 'Pair Programming' with Dr Annika Johnson, Dr Anastasia Papadopoulou and Dr Stefania Simion
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) invites Dr Annika Johnson, Dr Anastasia Papadopoulou and Dr Stefania Simion from the University of Bristol, who recently presented at one of the Birmingham Economic Education Seminars (BEES), to share insights from a workshop which they ran with an aim to introduce students to the basics of Python using an approach known as pair programming. They
Conference Special (part 2): Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference
This is part 2 of a special conference episode based on the 12th Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference, organised by the Economics Network, which took place at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh on the 4th and 5th of September 2023.
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) speaks to (in order of appearance): Caroline Elliott (University of Warwick), Gail Hoyt (University o
Conference Special (part 1): Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference
This is part 1 of a special conference episode based on the 12th Developments in Economics Education (DEE) Conference, organised by the Economics Network, which took place at Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh on the 4th and 5th of September 2023.
In this episode, Karishma Patel (Aston University) speaks to (in order of appearance):
Dimitra Petropoulou (London School of Economics), Tisha Emerson
Enhancing the effectiveness of large group teaching with Professor Chris Jones
In this episode Karishma Patel is joined by Professor Chris Jones from the Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship department at Aston University who shares insights from his experiences of large group teaching. Chris discusses some of the challenges that may be associated with teaching large class sizes, and suggests ways in which we can increase engagement in the classroom. Chris also shares som
Feedback design and managing students' feedback expectations with Dr Robert Riegler
In this episode, Karishma Patel invites Dr Robert Riegler, a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship department at Aston University to share some insights from his co-authored paper on students' feedback experiences and expectations pre- and post-university entry. Robert reflects on the findings of his research in order to provide suggestions on feedback design an
Using classroom experiments in teaching with Dr Maria Kozlovskaya
In this episode Karishma Patel is joined by Dr Maria Kozlovskaya, a Senior Lecturer from the Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship department at Aston University. Maria draws on her expertise in using games and experiments in teaching Behavioural Economics, to provide practical advice for lecturers who are looking to use games and experiments in their own teaching. For further insight, refer to
'Do Not Feed The Ducks!' - Experiential Learning with Dr Tim Burnett
In this episode Karishma Patel invites Dr Tim Burnett, a Senior Teaching Fellow in the Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship department at Aston University, to share his approach to experiential learning on statistics based modules. Tim presents a vision for using this approach to enable students to become active learners and provides some advice for implementation across a range of modules. For
'Bridging the Gap' between academic and professional Economics with Dr Dean Garratt
In this episode Karishma Patel welcomes Dr Dean Garratt, a Senior Teaching Fellow from the Economics, Finance and Entrepreneurship department at Aston University, to share his vision for bridging the gap between academic and professional economics. Motivated by his own experiences in professional economics, including his work at the Government Economic Service (GES), Dean talks about how he has em
