Dr Ros Porter BSc, PhD, SFHEA, FIMA

Senior Lecturer in Mathematics

Summary

I am an Applied Mathematician with a background in Mathematical Ecology; this means using mathematics to describe ecological processes, for example, modelling how diseases spread or how different animal species interact.

About

I have worked in Academia since I finished by PhD in 2011. During my time at Sheffield Hallam I have taught across different degree programmes with a focus on Maths. I really enjoy mathematics with real world applications, so much of what I teach involves using mathematics to describe the processes that are present in both the natural and human-made world. In particular, I like to combine my love for nature and mathematics and use mathematics to help us answer questions about the impact of humans on wildlife and livestock.

Teaching

School of Computing and Digital Technologies

College of Business, Technology and Engineering

Subject area

Computing and Digital Technologies

BSc Mathematics

BSc Physics

I teach across a range of modules on the Maths and Physics degree programmes, mainly focussed on the application of mathematics to the real world. I am a passionate believer in active learning and include many student led activities within my teaching.

Research

I work with other scientists to develop models of different ecological processes to help us understand the potential outcomes of possible interventions or future developments.

Areas of interest include:

• Infectious disease spread

• Vector-borne infections

• Species interactions

• Human interventions

I have also been involved in a number of educational research projects looking at students attitudes to taking risks and making errors; the second year slump; course community; teaching methodology.

Publications

Journal articles

Worton, A.J., Norman, R.A., Gilbert, L., & Porter, R.B. (2024). GIS-ODE: linking dynamic population models with GIS to predict pathogen vector abundance across a country under climate change scenarios. Journal of the Royal Society Interface, 21 (217). http://doi.org/10.1098/rsif.2024.0004

Steckles, K., Ketnor, C., Porter, R., Shukie, A., & Corner, A.S. (2024). Lecturers don’t know everything: students listening to the thought processes of lecturers on unfamiliar ground. Teaching Mathematics and Its Applications. http://doi.org/10.1093/teamat/hrae008

Cornock, C., Shukie, A., Porter, R., & O'Sullivan, D. (2021). Students being set up to make mistakes in class through an error-eliciting task. MSOR Connections, 19 (2), 4-9. http://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v19i2.1120

Porter, R., & Bartholomew, H. (2016). When will I ever use that? Giving students opportunity to see the direct application of modelling techniques in the real world. MSOR Connections, 14 (3), 45. http://doi.org/10.21100/msor.v14i3.309

Porter, R., Norman, R.A., & Gilbert, L. (2013). A model to test how ticks and louping ill virus can be controlled by treating red grouse with acaricide. Medical and veterinary entomology, 27 (3), 237-246. http://doi.org/10.1111/j.1365-2915.2012.01047.x

Porter, R., Norman, R.A., & Gilbert, L. (2013). An alternative to killing? Treatment of reservoir hosts to control a vector and pathogen in a susceptible species. Parasitology, 140 (2), 247-257. http://doi.org/10.1017/s0031182012001400

Porter, R., Norman, R., & Gilbert, L. (2011). Controlling tick-borne diseases through domestic animal management: a theoretical approach. Theoretical Ecology, 4 (3), 321-339. http://doi.org/10.1007/s12080-010-0080-2

Presentations

Rowlett, P., Cornock, C., & Porter, R. (2018). Student-led employability audit leading to undergraduate curriculum change. Presented at: Faculty of STA Teaching and Learning Conference 2018, Sheffield Hallam University

Other activities

I am the Academic Representative for the Institute of Maths and its Applications (IMA)

Ros Porter