I have a passion for teaching and an interest in the scholarship on teaching and learning (SoTL). My andragogy emphasizes an interdisciplinary approach and use of active learning tools/techniques to maximize student learning and engagement. I believe the role of a teacher involves being a facilitator of learning and a mentor who supports and enhances student's critical thinking and problem solving skills while inspiring them to take their knowledge and apply it beyond the classroom. In 2019, I obtained a Certificate in University Teaching from the Teaching Learning and Support Service at uOttawa.
We need to get our ducks in a row to solve global environmental challenges!
A barge transports sand obtained through sand mining in Koh Kong, Cambodia. Photo: Furqan Asif
ENV1101A - Global Environmental Challenges
Dept. of Geography
University of Ottawa
Period: September 5 - December 5, 2018 (Fall 2018)
Level:​ First year, undergraduate (155 students)

This course introduced certain environmental concepts and theories framed around global environmental challenges and the societal responses to them. An emphasis was placed on understanding and analyzing the complex interconnections between humans (including our activities and actions) and the environment, primarily through a social science perspective. Some of the major topics covered included: sustainability, human population growth, climate change, energy production, food production (agriculture), pollution, and urbanization. These, and other topics, were explored using case studies, both international and Canadian (where appropriate).
Trash accumulating at the banks of a coastal fishing village in Cambodia.
The outcome of inadequate waste collection in a Cambodian coastal fishing village. Photo: Furqan Asif
DVM4153A - International Development & Environmental Change
School of International Development and Global Studies
University of Ottawa
Period: January 8 - April 11, 2018 (Winter 2018)
              January 7 - April 19, 2019 (Winter 2019)
Level:​ Fourth year, undergraduate (30 students)

Objective: to understand and critically assess causes and consequences of environmental change in developing countries, drawing from policy and practice case studies. The goal of this course is to provide students with a foundation in a range of approaches and analytical tools suited to understanding and critiquing environment-development relations broadly, with a focus on environmental change. To achieve this, my teaching approach emphasized interactivity by combining lecturing, group discussion, in-class videos, and class polling exercises.
RES1102 - Qualitative Research Methods
Faculty of Development Studies,
​Royal University of Phnom Penh (RUPP), Cambodia
Period: August - September 2016
Level: Graduate - Master's (25 students)

I was a guest lecturer for four classes during which I covered formulating a research problem and designing case studies using interactive group exercises and student presentations.
Environment & Society​
Sookmyung Women's University (Seoul, South Korea)
Period: July 3 - 21, 2017
Level: 1st - 3rd year, undergraduate (8 students)

Objective: to provide students with a foundation in a range of theoretical approaches and analytical tools suited to understanding and critiquing human-environment relations, with a focus on environmental awareness.
 
Critical reading and interactive discussion (e.g. via Socrative) emphasized the literature in history of the environment, environment and society, sustainable development, commons theory, political ecology/economy, with opportunities to explore related literature such as environmental health, degrowth, resource governance, and human geography.