Meet the ISC teachers and staff
The University of Stirling International Study Centre tutors and support staff have qualifications in a wide range of subjects. You can read about some of their teaching experience and interests below:
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Tim Miller
Head of the International Study Centre
Qualifications: BA, MA, PGCE, CELTA
I have taught English Language and Literature in schools, colleges and universities both in UK and abroad. My international experience began in Hong Kong in 1986 and then, after a position as Director of the International Study Centre at Rossall School in England, I resumed my work overseas at UAE University in the Emirates where students were prepared for undergraduate study in the General Requirements Unit.
Since 2004 I have worked on a variety of ESOL and Foundation/Access programmes at the Universities of Derby and Sheffield. I am a tutor for the Open University within the Faculty of Education and Language Studies and I have been an examiner both for ‘Skills for Life –ESOL’ (Cambridge) and Advanced Level English (AQA).
My interests are mainly reading and the cultural arts but when I’m more active I like to play golf or, weather permitting, tennis. I used to play the guitar in a band and do a bit of backing vocals but these days I prefer just to listen to my MP3!
Francis Allan
English Tutor
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.
Corinne Kay
Chemistry Tutor
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.
Marguerite Nesling
English Tutor
Qualifications: BA (hons), MSc, MLitt, MSc TESOL
My role at the International Study Centre is as a Foundation English Skills tutor.
I have taught English at community schools in and around Stirling, and tutored postgraduate students in English for Academic Purposes at the University of Stirling. Mathematics formed a large part of my first degree, and foundational issues in mathematics and formal semantics have been central to much of my postgraduate work. Prior to joining the ISC at Stirling, I tutored privately in Standard Grade and Higher Mathematics in Scotland.
Before I trained as an ESOL teacher, I worked freelance as a production editor, specialising in logic and linguistics, for the humanities departments of academic publishers in Britain and elsewhere in Europe, and in America. I was brought up in the South West of England but have lived locally for many years.
Caroline Smith
ISC Administrator
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.
Dr Tim Whalley
Biology Tutor
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.
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Fabienne Kay
Student Welfare Officer
"My career to date has been in a variety of commercial roles, specialising in Sales & Marketing.
For the past 3 years, I worked as Marketing Coordinator for a global leader in the provision of service and maintenance solutions for commercial buildings. My duties involved managing the tender bid process, designing and producing branded literature, and helping to maintain and grow the company’s client base. Many aspects of this role placed a large emphasis on Health & Safety, and consequently I built up a thorough understanding of this field.
I have studied Medicinal Chemistry and as a result obtained diplomas in areas that focused on current aspects of Drug Design as well as Toxicology. I have also studied ADME and hERG, areas in which I have gained further diplomas. Later this year, I will be starting a three year degree course in Nursing & Midwifery here at the University of Stirling.
I am delighted to be a Student Welfare Officer at the ISC and look forward to playing a part in making the students’ time here a memorable experience.
In my spare time I enjoy going to the cinema, music, arts & crafts, and dance - mainly ballet."
