Alexander Thornton

Experienced educator and published academic with a PhD in Development Studies and over 15 years of university teaching experience across Australia, Germany, and the Global South. I bring a strong foundation in academic writing, applied communication skills, and participatory pedagogy, with a commitment to student-centred and inclusive learning. As a native English speaker with C2 fluency, I excel in delivering high-impact, interactive sessions on academic English, essay structure, referencing, and editing techniques. I'm passionate about equipping students with the practical skills they need to succeed in university and beyond.

Core Competencies • Academic Writing & Research Skills • Essay Structure & Referencing Methods (APA, Chicago, MLA) • Editing & Peer Review Techniques • English for Academic Purposes (EAP) • Interactive, Practice-Based Teaching • One-on-One Academic Support • Higher Education Curriculum Design • Teaching in English to Multicultural Student Groups

Education
Ph.D. in Development Studies University of Sussex, UK
M.A. in Rural Development University of Sussex, UK
B.A. in Political Science & International Relations University of Massachusetts, USA
Languages • English: Native (CEFR C2) • German: Intermediate (B1 TELC Certified, Naturalization test completed)

Teaching Experience
Present:
Freelance Lecturer in Applied Academic English, IU International University of Applied Sciences
Previous:
Senior Lecturer – Geography, University of New South Wales (UNSW), Canberra, Australia 2008–2020
• Designed and led undergraduate and postgraduate courses in research writing, contemporary global change, and development geography • Integrated academic writing skills workshops into course assessments
• Supervised 14 PhD and numerous MA students, providing ongoing academic editing and research feedback support
• Conducted tutorials on peer review, structuring essays, and referencing techniques

Other:• Over 30 peer-reviewed publications, several co-authored with postgraduate students
• Reviewer for international journals: Applied Geography, Cities, Development in Practice
• Former Academic Co-lead for Africa and School of Science representative on the Ethics Board (UNSW)