Dr Stephen Buckingham

Profile

I hold a BSc (Hons) in Neurobiology from the University of Sussex (1982) and a PhD from the University of Cambridge (1988). My academic career spans over three decades, during which I have conducted extensive research in neuroscience and pharmacology, resulting in more than 70 published papers. My research primarily explored neuropharmacology, synaptic physiology, and the regulation of ion channels in neuronal signaling.

I joined Queen Mary University of London in 2019 and have been here since. I played a major role in creating the Applied Medical Sciences programme at UCL in 2015 and served as Director of Education for the School of Biological and Behavioural Sciences for three years, until summer 2024. My current focus is on advancing biomedical sciences education through innovative teaching strategies and curriculum design.

Teaching

I teach on the following modules:

BMD100 Essential Skills for Biomedical Scientists

BMD221 Biomedical Physiology II – Cardiovascular and Respiratory

BIO604 Structured Research Project

I am also the module organiser for:

BMD325 Biomedical Neuroscience

BMD225 Biomedical Pharmacology

Research

Scholarly Contributions

My scholarship focuses on the role of metaphor in teaching and learning within biomedical sciences. I explore how metaphorical frameworks can serve as cognitive tools to bridge abstract scientific concepts and students’ prior knowledge, making complex ideas more accessible and memorable. This includes investigating how metaphors shape conceptual understanding, influence engagement, and support the development of disciplinary thinking. I am particularly interested in designing and evaluating metaphor-based pedagogical strategies that enhance comprehension and foster deeper learning in biomedical education.