Meet the Access Programme Teaching Staff
The teachers on our Access Programme are committed to supporting students to thrive throughout their learning experiences on the programme.
All Access Programme academics understand the importance of ensuring you have the best possible experience as you return to learning. Each one is committed to helping you quickly feel settled and supporting you through your learning on the programme.
Find out more about some of our teaching staff below!
Rachael King
Rachael King is Programme Director of the Access Programme and teaches on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand.
Rachael studied English Literature at the University of St. Andrews before completing her teaching qualification in Edinburgh.
She has been teaching for 15 years, including five at the Centre for Open Learning, and has also worked for Edinburgh University Students’ Association coordinating student representation and academic support.
Rachael has been nominated in the ‘Best Teacher’ and ‘Best Personal Tutor’ categories in the Edinburgh University Student Association (EUSA) Teaching Awards.
Dr John Gordon
Dr John Gordon is a Teaching Fellow on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of the Access Programme.
John holds a general Arts degree from the Open University, and a PhD in Philosophy from the University of Edinburgh.
He has been teaching at the University of Edinburgh since 1989 and is currently a tutor in Philosophy and Classics in the University’s Centre for Open Learning.
John has been nominated in the 'Best Personal Tutor', 'Best Teacher' and 'Best Course' categories in EUSA's Teaching Awards.
Deirdre MacLeod
Deirdre is the Teaching Fellow on the Art and Design strand of the Access Programme.
Deirdre studied Painting at Edinburgh College of Art and holds a Masters degree in Politics from the University of Edinburgh and an Honours degree in Geography from the University of Cambridge.
As well as pursuing her own multidisciplinary studio practice as an artist, Deirdre is lead tutor on the University of Edinburgh's Access to Creative Education in Scotland project, which supports school students to make successful applications to higher education art and design courses.
Deirdre has been nominated for 'Best Personal Tutor' and 'Best Teacher' in the EUSA Teaching Awards.
Dr Brian McGrail
Dr Brian McGrail is a Teaching Fellow who teaches Social Sciences and Political Economy on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of the Access Programme.
Brian has taught social science subjects at the University of Edinburgh for more than 10 years. He is a Visiting Professor at the University of Wisconsin and is an academic consultant for the UK's Economic Social Research Council, OpenLearn and the BBC.
Brian has been nominated for 'Best Overall Teacher' and 'Best Assessment Feedback' at the EUSA Teaching Awards.
Thomas Chaurin
Thomas Chaurin is the Director of Languages for All at the Centre for Open Learning and teaches Languages 1 on the Languages and Cultures strand of the Access programme.
Thomas holds a Master’s degree in French as a Foreign Language from the University of Rennes 2 in Brittany, and has more than 20 years’ experience in French language education in various education settings in France, Spain, the UK, the USA, Canada, Chile, Kenya, Zimbabwe and Slovakia.
Dr Morna Finnegan
Dr Morna Finnegan is a Teaching Fellow who teaches Social Sciences 1 on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of the Access Programme.
Dr Morna Finnegan is a social anthropologist and mother who received her PhD from the University of Edinburgh in 2010. She has published several articles and a co-edited Berghahn Series book on human origins.
Her doctoral research focused on ritual politics and gender egalitarianism among the Mbendjele Yaka and other Central African hunter-gatherers. Morna received her Msc in Social Anthropology from University College London, where she has also taught on African cosmology.
David Santiuste
David Santiuste is a Teaching Fellow on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand of the Access Programme.
David studied history at the University of St Andrews, where he continued his postgraduate research. His publications include The Hammer of the Scots: Edward I and the Scottish Wars of Independence. He has worked at the University of Edinburgh since 2010, primarily teaching at the Centre of Open Learning.
David has been nominated for 'Best Teacher' and 'Best Personal Tutor' in EUSA's Teaching Awards.
Lillian Hueber
Lillian Hueber is a Teaching Fellow who teaches the 'Mathematics for the Arts' course on the Humanities and Social Sciences strand.
Lillian studied mathematics, history and Artificial Intelligence at the University of Edinburgh, receiving a Bachelor degree in mathematics and a Master's in Digital Design for her efforts.
She then went onto obtain her teaching qualification from Moray House at the University of Edinburgh's Holyrood Campus.
Prior to joining us at the Centre for Open Learning in 2022, she has taught mathematics at international schools in Paris, Addis Ababa and Jerusalem.