We are thrilled to invite you to the upcoming "Education Workshop on Safe Learning Environment: Bridging the Gap Between Learning Partners", crafted for life sciences educators who are passionate about equitable, student-centered teaching.
This event is jointly organized by the FEBS Education and Training Committee, Turkish Biochemical Society (Turk Biyokimya Derneği), and Izmir University of Economics
Location: İzmir University of Economics, İzmir, Türkiye
The opening talks and Gala Dinner on the first day (Feb 28) of the workshop will be held at Renaissance Izmir Hotel.
All remaining workshop sessions will take place at İzmir University of Economics.
Date: February 28 - March 2, 2025
Accommodation
Hotels near the workshop venue (İzmir University of Economics, Balçova)
Kaya Thermal Hotel (1.5 km)
Balçova Thermal Hotel (1 km)
Hyatt Regency İzmir (3.5 km)
1st day talks and the Gala dinner will be held at Renaissance İzmir Hotel
Renaissance İzmir (Alsancak)
There is a discount for workshop attendees if they wish to stay at Renaissance İzmir. Please use the code FEBS2025 during reservation.
AIM
In modern education, especially within the life sciences, creating an environment where both educators and learners can thrive is essential for effective learning and development. Traditional educational settings often reflect power dynamics that can hinder open communication, equitable learning opportunities, and student empowerment. This workshop aims to address these challenges by equipping lecturers with practical strategies to rebalance power dynamics, promote inclusivity, and foster a supportive learning environment.
Workshop Highlights
- Day 1 (Friday): Begin with registration, opening talks, and key presentations on the importance of creating a safe learning environment. Engage in a panel discussion and meet with workshop trainers, concluding with a gala dinner to network with peers and speakers.
- Day 2 (Saturday): Dive into core topics with interactive sessions on in-class strategies, student-centered assessment, introspective practices and PhD education. Participate in specialized workshops (choose two) about these topics. The day concludes with a dinner.
- Day 3 (Sunday): Start with a session on academic mentoring for enhancing student well-being, followed by repeated workshop sessions, allowing participants to attend topics they missed on Day 2. The event wraps up with a closing ceremony.
Learning Objectives
- Develop strategies to establish a safe and inclusive learning environment by fostering open, and effective communication.
- Design assessments as learning tools while prioritizing equity and student centeredness.
- Develop strategies to empower students to engage in introspection that promotes personal development.
- Develop strategies to establish a safe and inclusive learning environment in post-graduate education.
Why Attend?
- Engage in expert-led sessions focusing on interactive classroom strategies, equitable assessments, introspective practices, and optimizing doctoral education.
- Network with fellow educators and share innovative ideas to empower your students.
Meet The Team
Ali Burak Özkaya, Workshop Coordinator
Ali Burak Özkaya is a faculty member at the School of Medicine, İzmir University of Economics. He specializes in education methods, particularly integrating digital tools and active learning strategies into science and medical education. His research interests include enhancing academic integrity in online assessments and the use of innovative pedagogical approaches in higher education. Özkaya regularly collaborates with international organizations such as FEBS, contributing to educational workshops and discussions on transformative and holistic learning practices.
Hasan Kazdağlı, Event Manager
Hasan Kazdağlı is an Assistant Professor at Izmir University of Economics, specializing in physiology and educational technologies. With a Ph.D. in Physiology from Manisa Celal Bayar University, his research focuses on heart rate variability (HRV), digital transformation in education, and curriculum design. He integrates AI and virtual reality into teaching to enhance learning outcomes and educator competencies. An experienced researcher and author, Dr. Kazdağlı has published extensively on physiology and educational innovations, contributing to interdisciplinary advancements in biomedical education.
Öykü Gönül Geyik, Workshop Facilitator
Dr. Öykü Gönül Geyik is an Assistant Professor in the Medical Biology Department at Istinye University. With a strong background in medical biology and biochemistry education and research, she is dedicated to fostering student engagement and understanding in topics such as cell biology, molecular mechanisms, and biomedical techniques. She specializes in designing innovative courses that integrate fundamental concepts with practical applications, including the use of advanced technologies. She actively contributed to multiple workshops and courses to improve education. In addition to her teaching, Dr. Gönül Geyik actively contributes to the development of educational strategies and the training of students and professionals in the life sciences.
Student Support Team
İzmir University of Economics Faculty of Medicine students who have volunteered to help us during the event:
Afra Boztaş Aslı Ela Akkaplan
Ceren Ayık Fatma İlayda Özbebit
Hande Aşıcı Mine Özgün Barış
TRAINERS
Leanne Williams – Engaging students: In-class strategies and instructional design.
Leanne Williams earned her PhD from The University of Nottingham and is currently an Academic Lead at LearnSci and a Professor at the University of Warwick. With extensive experience in educational methodologies and student-centered design, she brings her expertise to help educators create impactful and engaging classroom experiences. Her insights offer practical, actionable strategies for fostering interactive and supportive learning environments.
Steve Rutherford – Student-Centered Assessment: Assessment Design to Support Learning
Steve Rutherford earned both his master’s and PhD in Biology from the Open University in York, GB, and also holds a master’s degree in Education from the same institution. Currently a Senior Lecturer at Cardiff University, Steve specializes in assessment design with a focus on student growth and learning outcomes. His approach emphasizes equitable assessment methods that reinforce students’ learning journeys. With a passion for supporting educational development, Steve’s sessions provide tools to craft assessments that genuinely enhance student engagement.
Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho – Guiding Students in Introspection
Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho holds a PhD in Internal Medicine from Universidade Estadual de Campinas and is a Full Professor of Health Profession Education at the University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen. He brings a reflective approach to education, emphasizing the importance of introspection in student development. His session will guide educators on integrating introspective practices into their teaching, empowering students to engage deeply with their own learning processes.
Robert Harris– Getting the Most Out of a PhD Education
Robert Harris earned his PhD in Molecular Biology from University College London (UCL), often known as London’s Global University, and is now a Professor at Karolinska Institute. With a deep understanding of the challenges and opportunities in doctoral education, his work centers on optimizing the PhD experience for students, ensuring they gain the maximum benefit from their research journey. Robert’s session will be invaluable for those guiding students through postgraduate studies.
SPEAKERS
Ferhan Sağın– Safe Learning Environment
Prof. Dr. Ferhan G. Sağın is a Medical Biochemistry professor at Ege University, Izmir, with significant contributions to education in biosciences. She serves as the Chair of the FEBS Education and Training Committee where she spearheads efforts to enhance educational standards across the molecular life sciences in Europe. Her work involves promoting modern, innovative and inclusive teaching techniques and supporting the next generation of academics through initiatives like FEBS education workshops and FEBS education and training conferences.
Gül Akdoğan– Academic mentoring for greater student wellbeing
Prof. Dr. Gül Akdoğan is a Medical Biochemistry professor at Izmir University of Economics, Faculty of Medicine who led the FEBS Education Committee from 2009 to 2018, a tenure during which she developed a range of influential workshops across Europe to advance biochemical education and training. In 2018, she received FEBS’s Diplôme d’Honneur in recognition of her contributions, becoming the first scientist from Turkey to earn this award. Akdoğan has made a significant impact through ORPHEUS (the Organisation for PhD Education in Biomedicine and Health Sciences in the European System), contributing to standardized doctoral education in biomedicine. Her work has been essential in promoting modern educational standards and fostering international cooperation in life sciences education across Europe.
Frank Michelangeli– Academic mentoring for greater student wellbeing
Prof. Frank Michelangeli, from the University of Chester, has a longstanding commitment to bioscience education and mentorship. His work centers on curriculum innovation and supporting the professional development of postgraduate students and educators. Prof. Michelangeli advocates for research-integrated teaching that fosters critical thinking and scientific inquiry, equipping students to meet contemporary challenges in life sciences.
Alara Rodoplu-Students’ Perspective on Learner-Educator Power Dynamic: A Quantitative Research
Alara Rodoplu is 3rd year medical student at İzmir University of Economics and the Local Committee President of TurkMSIC.
At the FEBS Congress, Alara will present "Students’ Perspective on Learner-Educator Power Dynamic: A Quantitative Research." Her work explores the impact of power dynamics on academic success and well-being, emphasizing the importance of mutual respect and effective communication in fostering a supportive educational environment.
PROGRAMME
1st Day (Friday, 16:00-19:00)
13:00-16:00 Registration
16:00-16:15 Opening
16:15-16:30 FEBS Education and Training Committee by Ferhan Sağın
16:30-16:50 Students’ Perspective on Learner-Educator Power Dynamic: A Quantitative Research by Alara Rodoplu
16:50-17:20 Creating a Safe Learning Environment by Ferhan Sağın
17:20-17:30 Coffee Break
17:30-18:15 Meet the trainers and panel discussion by Ali Burak Özkaya, Leanne Williams, Steve Rutherford, Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho and Robert Harris
19:00-21:30 Gala Dinner at Renaissance Izmir Hotel
2nd Day (Saturday, 09:30-17:30)
09:30-10:15 Engaging students: In-class strategies and instructional design by Leanne Williams
10:15-11:00 Student-centred assessment: Assessment design to support learning by Steve Rutherford
11:00-11:30 Coffee break
11:30-12:15 Guiding Students in Introspection by Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho
12:15-13:00 Getting the most out of a PhD education by Robert Harris
13:00-15:00 Lunch
15:00-17:30 Workshops (four in parallel)
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Engaging students: In-class strategies and instructional design by Leanne Williams
-
Designing assessments to support learning by Steve Rutherford
- Guiding Students in Introspection by Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho
- Getting the most out of a PhD education by Robert Harris
19:00-21:30 Dinner at Nefes Restaurant
3rd Day (Sunday, 09:30-13:30)
09:30-10:15 Academic mentoring for greater student wellbeing (undergraduate and graduate) by Gül Güner Akdoğan and Frank Michelangeli
10:15: 10:30 Coffee break
10:30-13:00 Workshops, repeat (four in parallel)
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Engaging students: In-class strategies and instructional design by Leanne Williams
-
Designing assessments to support learning by Steve Rutherford
- Guiding Students in Introspection by Marco Antonio Carvalho Filho
13:00-13:30 Closing ceremony
REGISTRATION
Please complete the form the link to register for the workshop. Once all required sections are completed, please proceed to payment and upload the necessary proof of payment to finalize your submission.
The participation fee for this event is as follows:
- 2000 ₺ (Turkish Liras) for members of the Turkish Biochemical Society (TBS) or employees of İzmir University of Economics.
- 150 € (Euros) for international and non-TBS members.
The participation fee covers attendance, a gala dinner, and two lunch breaks. Please note that accommodation and transportation are not included in this fee.
Registration Deadline: 16.02.2025
Grants for PhD Students and Early-Career Academics
We are offering 3 grants to cover the registration fee for the FEBS Education Workshop on Safe Learning: Bridging the Gap Between Learning Partners.
Eligibility Criteria:
- You must be a PhD student or have completed your PhD within the last 10 years.
- You must be registered for the event.
Application Process:
To apply, please submit a motivation letter (maximum 300 words) to explaining:
- What you aim to gain from participating in this workshop.
- How you plan to implement the knowledge and strategies gained to benefit your institution.
Application Deadline: 09.02.2025
Submission Email: ali.ozkaya@ieu.edu.tr
Successful applicants will be notified by 16.02.2025