What I teach
I've taught marine biology and oceanography for more than twenty years, and I'm a Senior Fellow of the UK's Higher Education Academy (SFHEA). I currently teach a course in Deep-Sea Ecology at the University of Southampton, where I have received Vice-Chancellor's Awards for Teaching and for Postgraduate Training.
Exceptional standard of lecturing
Your teaching methods and clarity in your explanations I thought were excellent
In 2006 I co-founded SciConnect Ltd, a capacity-building company that has trained more than 15,000 scientists in communication skills to share their work with wider audiences. I have worked as a Director of the company as it has developed training programmes in science writing, oral presentation, media skills, and online engagement for clients including research institutions, government agencies, NGOs and companies across the UK and in Europe.
It has been the best and most useful personal training course that I have attended to date
I got a presentation award in a national meeting and I strongly believe that the skills that I gained from this workshop helped a lot for this result
I thought I was a good communicator, however, this course has opened my eyes to new techniques
In digital and online education, I published early research on student use of lecture capture resources, and led the development of a free Massive Open Online Course (a 'MOOC') about 'Exploring Our Ocean' subsequently taken up by more than 60,000 people from 180+ countries and 'Highly Commended' in The Ocean Awards.
I have learnt so much and been challenged to take the future of our oceans far more seriously than I ever did before
Dr Copley is so enthusiastic and it is contagious. Such a great course. Thank you so much for opening not only my eyes but my mind as well
Promo for Exploring Our Oceans Massive Open Online Course (MOOC)
Teaching at University of Southampton
For academic year 2023/24:
Module Lead, Deep-Sea Ecology (Postgraduate Masters & 3rd+4th Year undergraduate students)
By far the most well-organised module I've taken this year, and all-round the most interesting and engaging
Inspiring lecturer with an encyclopaedic knowledge of the topic
Best module I've ever taken
Module Co-Lead, Shallow-Water Survey Techniques (field course for 3rd Year students)
Lecturer, MSc Key Skills (postgraduate Masters students)
Lecturer, Introduction to Marine Ecology & Evolution (1st Year students)
Lecturer, Introduction to Functional Marine Biology (1st Year students)
Really interesting to talk to and made the lectures seem effortless, his passion really shone through
Extremely engaging and well explained
Genuinely inspired me
Word cloud of all student feedback, 1st Year lectures 2018/19;
size of word represents its frequency in teaching evaluation comments
(from WordClouds.com)
Previous experience at University of Southampton:
Director of Postgraduate Taught programmes in Ocean & Earth Science
Programme Leader, MSc Oceanography degree
Programme Leader, MSc Marine Resource Management degree
Creator & Module Lead, Structure & Dynamics of Marine Communities
Creator & Module Lead, MSc Key Skills
Module Lead, MSc Research Projects
Module Lead, Marine Biology Fieldwork Skills
Module Lead, IT, Communication, Field & Lab Skills
Module Lead, Coastal & Estuarine Oceanography
MicroROV survey during an undergraduate practical class
Tutor, Contempory Topics in Oceanography & Marine Biology
Fieldwork tutor, Applied Oceanography & Fieldwork
Lecturer, Advanced Independent Research Projects
Lecturer, Earth & Ocean System
Lecturer, Formation & Evolution of the Ocean Crust
keynotes & invited talks in education & engagement
NERC Impact Development Programme 2022
NERC Impact Development Programme 2021
National Coordinating Centre for Public Engagement (NCCPE) Engage Researchers' Academy 2019
European Marine Science Educators Association Conference 2018
Great start to the @emseassociation conference with Jon Copley @expeditionlog pic.twitter.com/s7BbPMygGe
— Explorers Education Programme (@explorersedu) October 2, 2018
Royal Society of Biology Education Awards 2018
Wellcome Trust Public Engagement Masterclass 2016
Royal Society Public Engagement & Outreach Symposium 2016
24th International Conference on College Learning & Teaching 2013
EuroScience Open Forum 2012 (ESOF 2012) - session convenor: Can outreach make you a better scientist?