Inter-Disciplinary Undergraduate Student Co-Creation: Animation and Physics Working Together to Produce High-Quality Teaching Materials

Authors

DOI:

https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v18i3.1636

Abstract

Academic development and delivery increasingly benefits from co-creation with students. This interdisciplinary study looks at a five-year collaboration between physics academics and animation students to co-create innovative and high-quality teaching materials focusing on the conceptually difficult topic of space science and astrophysics. The resulting animation pieces are available online for educators to use. Students gain real-world experience with an external client, building a community outside their usual peer groups and collaborating with people with different areas of expertise. The paper offers a framework for effective animation for visual learning in physics – or indeed any science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM) subject.

Author Biographies

Dr Ian C. Whittaker, Department of Physics, Nottingham Trent University

Ian Whittaker is a senior lecturer in space physics at Nottingham Trent University. He has had a varied research career across the medicine and space sectors which has influenced his teaching style. Providing context to taught material with real world examples. He encourages students to engage in independent as well as collaborative research, which has led to multiple student first authored pieces, and two separate teaching awards. Ian also regualrly provides public engagement both in person and online by writing for The Conversation where he won a national award.

Robert Szczerba, Department of Animation, Nottingham Trent University

Rob studied (BA (Hons) English Language and Literature at the University of Hull and trained as a teacher in English and Art. He taught in Sheffield and worked freelance in the early computer games industry and as a 3D artist for Sheffield companies specialising in rendering and animation. Rob became a lecturer at Sheffield College, teaching Film, Media and English, and contributed to the development of the Beacon award winning Online College. For 7 years as a Head of Department he led Media, Humanities and English at Hillsborough Campus, developing and teaching Digital Media and Film provision. Rob became a researcher in Animation Practice at Nottingham Trent University and gained a Masters (Distinction) in Digital Animation and Puppetry.

Dr Laurence M Shaw, Department of Mathematics, Nottingham Trent University

Laurence Shaw is a Senior Lecturer in Mathematics in the School of Science and Technology.

He specialises in probability and statistics but also teaches pure mathematics and professional skills modules. Most of his teaching is on the Mathematics cluster of courses and he is currently the module leader for Professional Mathematics Skills, Applied Statistics (Year 3), Mathematical Enterprise, and Mathematical Modelling & Quality Control for Business (Year 2). He is also the Year 2 Tutor. Laurence also teaches on the Stochastic Processes module (Year 3) as well as teaching mathematics and statistics to first-year Forensic Science students within the Professional Skills for Forensic Science and Technical Skills for Forensic Science modules along with occasional guest lectures for 2nd/3rd year Forensics students.

Dr Edward A Breeds, Department of Physics, Nottingham Trent University

Ed is a Principal Lecturer in Physics and the Undergraduate Courses Manager at NTU, with primary research interests in both exotic NMR(I) experiments and innovative teaching and learning for physics. Ed acts as academic lead for undergraduate physics at NTU, as well as the principal undergraduate course developer. Ed lectures topics in Thermodynamics, Semiconductor Physics, and Ionising Radiation, and takes pride in an engaging, multi-platform teaching style to convey advanced topics in physics.

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Published

07/31/2026

How to Cite

Whittaker, I., Szczerba, R., Shaw, L., & Breeds, E. (2026). Inter-Disciplinary Undergraduate Student Co-Creation: Animation and Physics Working Together to Produce High-Quality Teaching Materials. Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, 18(3). https://doi.org/10.21100/compass.v18i3.1636

Issue

Vol. 18 No. 3 (2026): Special Edition: Transforming Higher Education: Co-creation with Students, Staff and External Partners

Section

Case Studies

License

Copyright (c) 2026 Dr Ian C. Whittaker, Robert Szczerba, Dr Laurence M Shaw, Dr Edward A Breeds

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