Justine Hobbins

Program

Human Health & Nutritional Sciences, PhD

How my Research will Improve Life...

I was given the opportunity to explore the ways that students learn in large university science classes to ultimately improve how we teach, and assess essential higher order skills like problem solving and critical thinking.

Why I Chose Guelph… 

I chose the University of Guelph because I was presented with a unique opportunity to conduct teaching research within a discipline-specific department, which was not common at many higher education institutions. Furthermore, I completed my undergraduate degree at the University of Guelph and felt a strong sense of belonging and attachment to this campus, and I believed that this supportive community would be the ideal environment for which to pursue graduate studies in. 

About My Advisor… 

I feel very fortunate to have had worked with an advisor who has taken the time to get to know me, both personally and professionally. She made note of both my strengths and my areas that could use improvement. She always makes her students a priority - despite her busy schedule. My advisor had effectively identified which areas I need to work on in my research and communication skills, and consistently pushed me beyond my comfort zone to think and reflect critically on my learning and continued progress. Additionally, my advisor understands that my PhD work was not my entire world, and is supportive of my involvement in initiatives beyond my research, which helped me maintain a positive work-life balance. 

About the City of Guelph… 

I love that you have the benefits of living within a city (in terms of access to public transit, stores that are close by, etc.) without the feeling of living in a congested concrete jungle. There is a lot of green space and so many beautiful areas in this city! 

My Future Plans… 

Briefly, I hope to work at a higher education institution as an Education Developer, where I would be helping instructors become better teachers, developing and improving curriculum, and conducting research in the field of the Scholarship of Teaching and Learning. The University of Guelph supported me on this path with the development initiatives offered through Open Learning and Educational Support. I also gained invaluable experience with my involvement in the CBS Office of Educational Scholarship and Practice (COESP), where I worked with a number of brilliant, supportive individuals from across CBS to promote and raise the value of teaching within the College. It was through the support of programs and initiatives on Guelph's campus that my passion for teaching and learning continued to grow.