Meet the ISC teachers and staff

David Silbergh

Qualifications: PhD, BA (Hons), CELTA, FHEA

"I took over as Head of Centre at the International Study Centre in 2009, having previously been a Senior Lecturer and Programme Leader in the Business School at Glasgow Caledonian University. Prior to that I worked for The Robert Gordon University in Aberdeen, where I held both research and teaching posts.

I’ve got a BA (Hons) in Public Administration, a PhD in sustainable development policy, a CELTA qualification and am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy. I’ve worked on research and consultancy projects for a variety of international sponsors including the European Union and the World Bank and have published a variety of academic articles and book chapters in the fields of policy, management and social scientific research methods.

Out with work I’m usually kept busy with family and animals, but occasionally find time for reading, gardening and walking."

Jacqueline Grossart

Qualifications: BA (Hons), MSc TESOL, RSA TEFL

"I have taught English for over 20 years in the UK and abroad, mainly in Higher and Further Education. My first degree is in English from the University of Stirling, where I also completed my Masters degree in TESOL in 1990. I have almost completed my PhD in Applied Linguistics. As well as working at the ISC, I also teach English to High School students who are preparing for SQA examinations and I have been an examiner for University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations for a number of years.

In my spare time (what there is of it!) I enjoy cooking, reading and travel. I have three children, aged 13, 9 and 2 - they keep me busy when I'm not working!"

Caroline Smith

Qualifications: BA (hons)

"I studied English with European Studies at the University of Sussex with a year spent studying at the University in Lyon, France. I fell in love with the city of Lyon and returned after my degree to teach English for 9 years. I taught at the University, several business schools, and in various businesses throughout Lyon and the region.

I enjoyed the experience of living abroad in a different culture and learning a different language, and feel that this experience has given me an understanding of the difficulties faced by students abroad.

I moved back to Scotland with my family 8 years ago and worked in Administration and Human Resources for two charities. I’m delighted to be working with the Stirling ISC and be in a teaching environment again."

Francis Allan

Qualifications: BA (hons), DELTA, CELTA

"My two roles of teaching English and examining for University of Cambridge ESOL Examinations seem to have taken over my life in recent years. Since 2004 I have taught EAP, IELTS preparation and general English classes at University of Stirling. Prior to this, I worked for the University of Dundee, also in Scotland, and a number of overseas institutions in Saudi Arabia, Spain and Turkey.Working abroad has given me great opportunities to pursue my interests in travel and to explore sites with ‘old rocks’. I now enjoy discovering the wilder parts of Scotland. My other great loves are music, theatre and art."

Fiona Dixon

Qualifications: BA (Hons), M.Litt, CELTA

“I have taught English in China, Edinburgh and Stirling at state, private and community centres. I was only 18 when I worked in China so I can empathise with students who are leaving home for the first time to come to Scotland.

I completed my undergraduate degree in English Studies with Postcolonial Literature at the University of Stirling before gaining an M.Litt in Creative Writing at the University of Glasgow.

I grew up in Sheffield, in the North of England, but have lived in Scotland since 2001. As well as reading, travel and meeting people from different countries, I enjoy writing and have had some of my work published. I also love walking and feel very privileged to live and work in such a beautiful location.”

Corinne Kay

Qualifications: PhD, CChem MRSC

"I started my research career in the pharmaceutical industry with the dream of discovering a drug that would make a difference in people’s lives and was privileged to be part of the Saquinavir team (the first HIV/AIDS drug to reach the market). I obtained a degree in Chemistry at Lyon University, France, and a PhD in Medicinal Chemistry from Cambridge University and have spent over 20 years in research at Roche, GlaxoSmithKline and Organon.

I have always believed that anyone can innovate in science provided concepts are clearly explained and have tirelessly devised courses for my staff over the years. In 2004, I founded MED-SIMPLE, a science training company based on Einstein’s motto ‘things should always be as simple as they can be’. My greatest satisfaction is hearing from former students that they have made their first discovery, completed their PhD or written their first publication. I was delighted to be invited to tutor international students for their chemistry course and vowed to make this notoriously dry topic as exciting as I possibly could.

I am the contributing author of 3 scientific books and 45 publications including 3 inventor patents. Aside from my passion for chemistry I love calligraphy, ballet and am struggling to learn to play the harp."

Gill McColgan

Qualifications: PhD, PG Diploma, BA (Hons)

"Having studied at the University of Stirling myself, I work part-time as a Sociology tutor for students on the Undergraduate Certificate course and I also tutor students on a range of Masters and Undergraduate modules. With a background in qualitative research with people who have dementia, I sometimes work on social research projects with older people and people who have dementia.

I started working at the International Study Centre when it moved into its permanent new accommodation. It has views to the Ochil Hills and we can see the top of Dumyat Hill from the teaching rooms. I really enjoy being in this environment, able to see the changing weather and tutoring Sociology as well!

When I’m not working I enjoy spending time with my family that includes two lively dogs."

Jim Roche

Qualifications: BSc

"I am a practitioner rather than an academic. I have spent many years working in business, specialising in Sales & Marketing where I was a Board Director of a large multinational company. My corporate experience included Unilever, Cadbury and Bacardi-Martini. I have specific expertise in strategy, new-product development and managing international distributor networks.

Over the last few years I have worked as a non-exec for several SMEs and have taught management topics to managers and directors both in-company and in university environments. I am a trained and experienced Facilitator.

My outside interests include working with businesses to improve their performance, my family (one wife, two daughters, and one son) and history. I also own two sets of golf clubs but can't play very well."

Tim Whalley

Qualifications: BSc (hons), PhD

"I obtained a degree in Biochemistry and then a PhD in Cellular Physiology, both from University College London and arrived at Stirling following 4 years at the National Institutes of Health, just outside Washington DC in the USA. I also lived in France for a brief period. My main science interests concern how cells integrate external information to make alterations in physiological activity.

I have taught at the University of Stirling for the past 10 years and now I am also teaching Biology for the ISC. I love travel and meeting people from different places and experiencing different cultures and that is why the idea of working with the ISC is such an exciting one. I enjoy living in Scotland and appreciate the open spaces and fresh air that this gives me."

Paul Broughton

Qualifications: PhD, MPhil

"I have an MPhil in Bio-medical engineering. I have spent many years working within software engineering, developing solutions as diverse as control systems for nuclear power station valves, radar measurement systems and automated feet measuring devices.

Recently I have had a career shift and am I now involved in road safety research exploring the psychology of drivers, however my many years engineering experience is still being put to good use at the ISC."