Richard Cashman
Lecturer in EAP
Biography
Rich is a Lecturer in English for Academic Purposes (EAP) at the University of Chester, with responsibilities including China Team Lead for the EAP department. In this role, he designs and oversees collaborative courses while facilitating partnerships between the university and its Chinese partner institutions. These programmes support Chinese universities seeking to integrate UK higher education teaching methodologies into their curricula. With nearly a decade of experience living and teaching in China, coupled with professional fluency in Mandarin, Rich is uniquely positioned to adapt British pedagogical approaches to the Chinese academic context. He encourages participants to critically evaluate which elements can be effectively localised. Additionally, Rich actively explores the impact of Generative AI (Gen AI) on higher education. As a founding member and co-coordinator of the University of Chester’s AI Special Interest Group (AI SIG), he leverages his expertise to shape institutional best practices. In his role on the EAP presessional management team, Rich collaborates with colleagues to future-proof course content and assessments, ensuring they remain relevant, secure, and aligned with workplace demands in an era of ubiquitous AI tools. He also mentors staff in the practical application of Gen AI to enhance teaching and administrative workflows.
Teaching and Supervision
Rich teaches a diverse range of English for Academic Purposes (EAP) courses, with a focus on academic English and UK higher education study skills for international students. His teaching spans disciplines such as Medical and Biomedical Sciences, International Banking, Accounting, and Education. In addition to his teaching responsibilities, Rich oversees the development and delivery of the university’s pre-sessional EAP courses and supervises postgraduate research students, guiding them through the research and writing processes for their dissertations. Rich is committed to innovative teaching practices, incorporating reflective teaching methodologies that enable participants to critically evaluate and apply the methods taught in real-time. He is particularly passionate about enhancing the learning experience through interdisciplinary approaches and the strategic integration of Generative AI into educational frameworks.
Research and Knowledge Exchange
Rich is currently pursuing a PhD, conducting a longitudinal study that explores the interrelationships between academic self-efficacy, socialisation, and academic success among international students at the University of Chester. His research employs a mixed-methods approach, combining quantitative data (e.g., Likert Scale questionnaires analysed using Pearson’s Correlation Coefficient) with qualitative insights from focus groups. The study aims to identify potential correlations between these factors and inform interventions to enhance the academic outcomes of international students. In parallel, Rich is leading a Generative AI (Gen AI) project designed to reduce participant attrition rates in research studies through the use of novel Gen AI software. This project reflects his broader interest in the transformative potential of AI in higher education. Previously, Rich has engaged with Legitimation Code Theory (LCT), which he has applied to develop innovative approaches to teaching academic writing, particularly essay structures. LCT has also informed his exploration of unconscious bias and knowledge blindness in higher education curricula. While his current focus on PhD research and Gen AI has temporarily limited his work in this area, he remains committed to advancing its application in academic practice.