The development of my teaching philosophy and its implementation draws heavily on my past as a research academic and laboratory manager. I approach each teaching opportunity as if it were an item to be investigated with the aim of developing methodologies that are effective and represent best practice. I also acknowledge the human elements such as apprehension, motivation and anxiety and look for ways to manager these in the most constructive and sensitive manner possible. In its simplest form, my philosophy could be stated as "I teach my students". However, behind that statement lays a large element of research into "who" my students are (changes relative to cohort and subject) how who they are affects how they learn (many prefer a collaborative based environment with some control over the education process) and thus which strategies are the most effective (primarily those that provide flexibility and multiple means of interacting with content) for developing environments conducive to their education.

Health/Science/ Sustainability literacy Andrea’s interest in this research foci stems from her own attempts to explain research to her own non-university educated family.  In this situation literacy refers to an individuals capacity to not just understand the information but to be able to use the information in a critical manner relative to their own context e.g. understand that woodsmoke is a form of pollution is one level with the next being an understanding that their wood fireplace is contributing to the local particle pollution that is negatively affecting their health and that of their neighbours and then finally the decision to change heating sources and telling others about the issue. A population that can understand the research and health information is a society that can take an active role in creating a better society.

Effective use of technology to support teaching: Andrea describes her focus in this area as a reflective analysis of online teaching environments following the addition of various teaching tools and strategies. She has a strong interest in the application of effective technologies in teaching science, and in analysis of students' use of resources and academics time.