Professor, Department of Civil and Natural Resources Engineering, University of Canterbury

"Charles balances innovative teaching  and infectious enthusiasm and for his work with constant re-evaluation to best support learners"

Charles is an internationally recognized engineering educator who starts from the premise that engineering cannot be taught. Charles sees his role as one of engaging students, guiding their learning and fostering their problem-solving skills. His regular spot, “Failure Fridays” is just one way in which he emphasises the criticality of professional decision making within his discipline.

A leader in his university in the development of on-line support for students, Charles is notable for the diverse resources he provides to support student learning. As just one example, a first year student comments: “The podcasts were fantastic, as was the first term overall …. allowing me to go through the practice problems at my own pace.” Nevertheless, Charles doesn’t innovate for innovation’s sake: he is constantly re-evaluating what works best for his students.

His enthusiasm is infectious. A past graduate of his fire engineering programme attests: “He has helped make me a person who is passionate about her chosen profession and has therefore helped make me and my company… the success it is today.”