Lancaster University

Meet the tutors and staff at Lancaster University International Study Centre:

• Martin Eayrs - Head of Centre
• Asad Aman - Accounts Tutor
• Natalie Comlay - Student Welfare Officer
• Dr Martin Cook - Mathematics Tutor
• Vicky Errington - Centre Administrator
• Dr James Marshall - Law Tutor
• Richard Mason - ELP Tutor
• Dr Sue Parkin - English Tutor
• Robert Trafford - Economics and Business Tutor

• Ian Barker - Teacher
• Florencia Francesschina - Teacher
• Kalada Iyalla - Admin Assistant
• Evan Wilson - Teacher

Martin Eayrs

Head of Centre

Qualifications: MA in Applied Linguistics (Leeds); Dip. TEO (Manchester), PGCE (Manchester); BA Hons in English and Spanish Literature (Birmingham)

"All my professional life I've taught international students at schools and universities, both in Britain and other countries. Before Lancaster, I was involved in Foundation and Pre-Masters programmes at the Universities of Essex and Salford and previously was Head of English at Universidad de los Andes in Trujillo, Venezuela. I was also for many years Director of a private language school in Buenos Aires, Argentina.

My Masters degree was in Linguistics and Language Teaching. I am an IELTS examiner which gives me a good understanding of university English language entrance requirements. I have lectured on language and teaching methodology in a number of countries and have published books and articles on marketing, the language of computing, IT and many issues relating to English language teaching and learning.

I was born in Birmingham, England and have been living in Lancaster since 2001. My family is quite international – my wife is Italian, and both my children were born in Argentina. My son still lives in Argentina and my daughter is living in the US. I have visited or lived in 53 countries (and still counting!) and have a love of travel. Other interests include history, archaeology, new technologies, and - of course - meeting new friends from all over the world."

Asad Aman

Accounts Tutor

Qualifications: BBA, MBA, PhD researcher (Lancaster University Management School)

"Having worked for various multinational companies in different managerial roles for about 6 years, I decided to embark upon a PhD in Management at Lancaster’s Management School.

My first teaching appointment was at the University of Regina in Canada, teaching business mathematics to a diverse group of native and international students. Since then, I have always enjoyed teaching students from varied backgrounds. I also have experience of teaching business courses at University level.

I currently live on campus with my wife and two children. In my spare time, I like to be involved in different clubs and societies in the University. On Saturdays, I play amateur cricket with some of my University friends who are also enthusiasts. Interestingly, we play cricket in a basketball court using a tennis ball."

Natalie Comlay

Student Welfare Officer

Qualifications: BSc (Hons) Psychology

"I have been working as the Student Welfare Officer at the Lancaster University International Study Centre since its first students arrived in July 2007. My primary role is to ensure that the students are enjoying their experience here at the centre, and are coping with the everyday challenges faced when studying abroad, particularly as for many students this is their first experience of living away from home.

As a recent graduate of Lancaster University myself, I understand how difficult it can be for new students to become used to a new environment and style of study. I am always there for students who need someone to talk to about anything they have on their minds, and to offer advice and guidance during their time at the centre on anything from Visa renewals to local bus schedules.

My personal interests include music, travel and skiing."

Dr Martin Cook

Mathematics Tutor

Qualifications: PhD Algebra

"I am from a small village in Somerset in the South West of England. I have been at Lancaster since entering the undergraduate degree in Maths in 1998. I spent my third year at UC Davis in California, but apart from that and one other brief period I have been here ever since. I graduated in 2002 and started a PhD in algebra. Since finishing that I have stayed and started teaching full time.

I now split my time between the international study centre and teaching duties elsewhere, mainly in the maths department. I have tutored students from all years in the maths department, as well as those from Engineering, Biology and the Management School. I also teach a class at a local school, to prepare the pupils for further study.

When I have the time my interests away from the class room are reading, films and walking. The area around Lancaster is excellent walking country, although it can rain."

Vicky Errington

Centre Administrator

"I have worked at Lancaster University for the last four years and working at the International Study Centre is an exciting and challenging opportunity that I love. As the Centre Administrator, I will be here to offer help and support to all students and staff within the Centre. My role within the centre is very varied, from finance through to exam preparation. You can usually find me in office B8 along with Natalie.

The University is a wonderful place and if you know the right people, you can go far. If you have a problem, my door is always open and I am happy to help you with anything from visa problems down to bus timetables. Do not feel you have to worry about any problems by yourself; there are several members of staff here who you should feel comfortable talking to.

I live not far from the University campus in the seaside town of Morecambe. I live there with my husband and son. In my spare time I enjoy cooking, music and films."

Dr James Marshall

Law Tutor

Qualifications: PhD (Law), MBA (Business Analysis), Law Society Professional Examination, LLB (Hons)

"I have been teaching law since 1983 and in addition to teaching at the International Study Centre I teach part-time in the Law School at Lancaster University. My teaching comprises lectures and seminars in Company Law, Company Law and Financial Reporting, Lawyers and Society, Foundations of English and European Law, and Law of Obligations. In much of my teaching I have been able to draw on my earlier experience as a solicitor in private practice in Manchester, Lancaster and Zambia.

As well as teaching in the Law School at Lancaster I have, since 2007, been a Research Fellow of the School. I have also presented papers at several conferences including: ‘Competition for Law Business’ and ‘Are small town lawyers positivists about the law?’"

Richard Mason

Qualifications: BA (Hons) Philosophy 2.1, M.Res Informatics, Trinity TESOL Certificate.

"I’ve been teaching English for over three years and started my first teaching job in China in 2004. I taught English at a school in Guiyang in Guizhou province and was one of only 250 foreign people in a city of 3.5 million. I thoroughly enjoyed it and I’ve taught hundreds of students of different nationalities since I returned to England in January 2006. Teaching is one of those jobs where you can plan for the day, but you never know what might crop up during a lesson. It is a constantly stimulating experience and I hope to take further qualifications in the future. I currently live in Kendal and I enjoy fell walking, playing the guitar, cooking and watching films."

Dr Sue Parkin

FES tutor

Qualifications: PhD (Lancaster), MA (Open University), BA Hons (Keele), Cert TESOL (Trinity College London)

"I teach English to Foundation Year students and I enjoy working with young people - especially young people from different cultures because they bring a richness and variety of interests, experiences and capabilities with them.

In the summer vacation I also teach here at Lancaster, on the English for Academic Purposes and Study Skills course, where my students are international post-graduates from a number of disciplines. I have done this since 2002, having come from teaching in a local Sixth Form College.

I completed my doctoral thesis, on the discourse of art students, in 2006 and I submitted it to the Department of Linguistics and English Language. In my spare time you will find me in Africa. I have my own football team and I run a project to support and rehabilitate a group of young Kenyans who find themselves homeless and living on the streets of a town near Nairobi. I plan to register this work with the British Charity Commission so that the work can be consolidated and expanded. It would be very exciting to have my own school!"

Robert Trafford

Business Studies Tutor

Qualifications: BA Hons Business (UCLAN); PGCE Central Lancashire (UCLAN)

"Having been employed in the commercial sectors of industry for several years, I entered the education sector in 1992 and have since been teaching Economics and Business on A level and undergraduate programmes. I have a Business Degree along with a Certificate in Education. My particular interest is in Economics and consequently my teaching commitments have focussed in this area specifically.

In my spare time I enjoy various hobbies including music (I play the guitar), photography and in particular I am an enthusiastic fell-walker and have over the years been involved in numerous sponsored events. I also like to keep physically fit by regularly attending the local gym."