ASK Advisers
Our departmental ASK Advisers
Sometimes you have a quick query that might best be answered by someone within your department - but you don't want to bother your tutor with it. You might want to know how to format a reference for a particular resource used only in your discipline - or what a particular term used in your subject means. In semester time, you may be able to consult an ASK Adviser.
ASK stands for Academic Skills and Know-how. ASK Advisers are postgraduate research students in your department who are trained and mentored by the Study Advice team. Like Study Advisers, they can't proof read your work, or give you specific answers to your assignments. But they do have local experience of how things work in your department, and are uniquely placed to give you advice based on their knowledge and experience. And if your query is beyond their scope, they'll suggest the best person for you to contact, whether that's your tutor, a Study Adviser, or a librarian.
Currently there are ASK Advisers in the following departments:
Politics and International Relations
Economics - Alexander Mihailov
Drop-in hours: Thursday 10:00-11:30, Friday 12:00-13.30 at Edith Morley 317
About Alex:
I am Associate Professor in Economics at the University of Reading and Director of the Group for Economic Analysis at Reading (GEAR), also Associate Editor of Open Economies Review. I have been employed by the University of Essex, the Créa Institute of Applied Macroeconomics at the University of Lausanne, and the Bulgarian National Bank. I hold a PhD in Economics from the University of Lausanne (2004). My work is mostly in international macroeconomics, monetary policy and socioeconomic dynamics. You can email me at: a.mihailov@reading.ac.uk
Food Science and Nutrition - Hardeep Kaur
Drop in hours: Tuesday 1pm – 2pm
Venue: Chemistry Building foyer, teams/online
About Hardeep:
I am a PhD student in Food and Nutritional Sciences with my research focused on the off-flavour formation due to lipid oxidation in pearl millet. I hold a BSc in Biotechnology and an MSc in Agriculture and Development. Having been a student at this university for several years, I am familiar with the student support services and various campus facilities. As an ASK Advisor, I am keen to provide guidance and share my experience to help fellow students to make the most of the academic resources available at this university. You can email me at: h.kaurjogindersingh@pgr.reading.ac.uk
Henley Business School - Chris Mallett
Drop-in hours: Monday to Friday 09:00 - 17:00
Venue: Henley Business School G02
I am a Library Assistant at Henley Business School Library Whiteknights with a bachelor’s degree in geography and sociology from Keele University and an MA in library and information studies from University College London. I can assist you with referencing enquiries and provide guidance on essay planning and conducting literature searches. You can email me at: c.j.mallett@henley.ac.uk
Philosophy - Charles Seaford
Drop-in hours: Thursday 13:00-15:00, Edith Morley G63 [Week 2 online]
Outside of teaching weeks, all meetings are online and by appointment
I am a PhD philosophy student writing about monism - the view that the world is made of a single substance. I have embarked on this after a career in economic policy research and management consulting. I can help with study skills and any questions you have about how to go about your essays - or indeed about anything that puzzles. My email address is c.f.s.seaford@pgr.reading.ac.uk but feel free to drop in during the time mentioned above.
Politics and International Relations - Ben Willis
Drop-in hours: Tuesdays 15:00-16:00, Thursdays, 12:00-13:00
Venue: Edith Morley 410
About Ben:
I am a Lecturer in the Department of Politics and International Relations, where I teach across a range of undergraduate and postgraduate modules (including core and advanced degree competencies). My research expertise lies in the wider phenomenon of organised violence and includes a particular concern with issues of genocide, war crimes, and crimes against humanity. Among other non-academic jobs, I've also previously worked as a university library assistant for several years. I'm more than happy to help with any questions or concerns that you may have about essay writing, policy briefs, exams, referencing, literature searches, or anything else PIR-related. You can email me at b.m.willis@reading.ac.uk