Hi, I'm Alex, Head of the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Lincoln.
My departmental teaching responsibilities have included the leading of QA process implementation within the School. This includes developing programmes and modules and supporting colleagues in the same, ensuring constructive alignment is followed in both development and delivery and promoting consistency and good practice in QA processes.
I have also led the School Leadership Team in providing guidance on key teaching and learning matters such as Module Evaluations, NSS, TEF etc. and work with programme leaders to develop their programmes in these areas, leading development plans as part of a wider teaching strategy.
My teaching interests include creating interactive learning experiences which enthuse and engage learners. I embed this within my teaching, both in delivery and assessment. By providing an array of resources that are suitable for learners of varying learning styles and presenting pathways through these, students can navigate my teaching as individuals and attain the best results they are able.
Having completed my degree with Open University in 2008, I trained as a secondary school teacher in physics, qualifying in 2010 . I moved to higher education in 2012, quickly picking up teaching responsibilities.
I previously had responsibilities for the teaching and learning within the former School of Engineering, encompassing c. 500 students. This has included the role-out of a degree apprentice programme in the School and leading curricula adaptation in the School through the covid pandemic.
I currently teach engineering mechanics as well as supervising dissertation projects at undergraduate and postgraduate level.
Whilst teaching within the School of Engineering at Lincoln, I also worked as a research assistant with Teledyne e2v. This included a range of projects, some of which developed into my wider PhD thesis, "Modelling of exploding foil initiator (EFI) bridge-flyer behaviour [and related circuitry]", which was completed in 2021.
A. J. Borman and C. F. Dowding, “Plasma mass characterization of Exploding Foil Initiator,” Transactions on Plasma Science, (2021).
A. J. Borman, C. F. Dowding and D. Seddon, “Modelling of Exploding Foil Initiator and Related Circuitry for Variable Mode of Operation,” Journal of Defense Modelling and Simulation, (2019).
A. J. Borman, C. F. Dowding, J. D. Griffiths and D. Seddon, “Exploding Foil Initiator (EFI) Modes of Operation Determined Using Down-Barrel Flyer Layer Velocity Measurement,” Propellants, Explosives, Pyrotechnics, vol. 42, no. 3, pp. 318-328, (2016)
J. D. Griffiths, M. Riley, A.J. Borman, C. Dowding, A. Kirk and R. Bickerton, "Effect of flow velocity and temperature on ignition characteristics in laser ignition of natural gas and air mixtures", Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 66 . pp. 132-137, (2015).
J. D. Griffiths, M. Riley, A. Kirk, A.J. Borman, J. Lawrence and C. Dowding, "Lean burn limit and time to light characteristics of laser ignition in gas turbines", Optics and Lasers in Engineering, 55 . pp. 262-266. ISSN 0143-8166, (2014).
A. J. Borman, and D. Seddon, C. F. Dowding, and J. D. Griffiths (2015) Variable Effects Initiator. In: MCM ITP 2015, 21st - 22nd October 2015, Brighton, UK.
J. D. Griffiths, M. Riley, A.J. Borman, C. Dowding, A. Kirk and R. Bickerton, "Effect of flow velocity and temperature on minimum ignition energy in laser-induced spark ignition of gaseous fuels", 1st International Symposium on Energy Challenges and Mechanics, 8-10 July, 2014, Aberdeen.
A. J. Borman, "Igniting Innovation through Partnerships", Lincoln Be Smarter X School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Industry Day 2025, University of Lincoln, 3rd December 2025
A. J. Borman, "Teaching Mechanics with Lego", Teaching Teas, University of Lincoln, 12th June 2025
A. J. Borman, "What Science can learn from faith", Pint of Science 2024, Cardinal's Hat, Lincoln, 13th May 2024
A. J. Borman, "Industry Day 1.0", School of Engineering and Physical Sciences Industry Day, University of Lincoln, 23rd January 2024
A. J. Borman, "Rubrics with self-assessment to start a feedback dialogue", Teaching Showcase 2023, University of Lincoln, 12th September 2023.
A. J. Borman, "Small demos for big rooms", Teaching Showcase 2023, University of Lincoln, 12th September 2023.
A. J. Borman, "Building a Competitive Community", Teaching, Learning and Student Experience Conference, University of Lincoln, 7th June 2023
A. J. Borman, "Are digital tools for feedback liberating or constraining?", DigiEd: Horizons, University of Lincoln, 22nd March 2023, Online.
A. J. Borman, "Learning Through Play", How Best to Engage Our Students in 2022-23, Digitally Enhanced Webinar Series, University of Kent, 19th October 2022, Online.
A. J. Borman, "Learning Through Play", Teaching Showcase 2022, University of Lincoln, 13th September 2022.
A. J. Borman, "Personalised Learning", Teaching Showcase 2022, University of Lincoln, 13th September 2022.
S. Green and A.J. Borman, "Understanding the needs of Apprentices", Appetite for Engineering, 18th October 2018, MTC Coventry
A.J. Borman and J.D. Griffiths, "High Speed Analysis of Exploding Foil Initiator Operation", Ordnance, Munitions and Explosives Symposium, October 2014, Shrivenham
C. Dowding and A. Borman, “Laser-initiated ablation of materials,” in Laser Surface Engineering: Processes and Applications, Woodhead Publishing Ltd., 2014
Having trained with the Lincoln School of Theology between 2014 and 2019, I was ordained Deacon in 2019 and Priest in the Church of England in Michalemas 2020.
I see my work in quality and teaching leadership as central to my priestly calling. The challenges engineering can help to tackle and the care of creation that the Marks of Mission point to overlap for me so clearly that by my working to deliver high quality graduates that can go out and tackle these challenges, fulfilling that calling in my workplace.
I am currently licensed to the Parish of Boultham in Lincoln, in which a large proportion of the University campus is situated. The views and opinions expressed in this site are not necessarily those of the Church of England,.