Rowan MacLeod
Senior Academic Tutor | Higher Education & Humanities Specialist
Edinburgh
Professional Summary
Senior Academic Tutor based in Edinburgh with substantial background in undergraduate humanities tutoring, dissertation mentorship, and academic writing pedagogy.
Skilled in tutorial facilitation, critical thinking development, and designing supportive learning environments that empower students across diverse academic paths.
Professional Experience
Lothian Academic Learning Trust
Edinburgh
Lead Academic Tutor
Sept 2018 – Present
- Facilitate weekly seminars and small-group tutorials for up to 60 undergraduate humanities students per semester, focusing on critical reading and thesis formulation.
- Deliver targeted workshops on academic literacy, research structuring, and scholarly citation conventions aligned with higher education standards.
- Provide individualised dissertation guidance and formative essay feedback, supporting learners in refining arguments and strengthening evidence.
- Mentor probationary tutors on seminar management, constructive assessment techniques, and inclusive learning approaches.
Calton Educational Centre
Edinburgh
Senior Academic Tutor
Sept 2012 – Aug 2018
- Conducted modular tutorials and study skills clinics for pre-honours and adult returner students in history and literary studies.
- Designed structured essay-planning toolkits and revision frameworks that supported learners in developing independent study habits.
- Liaised with course coordinators to monitor student engagement and tailor tutorial discussions to diverse academic backgrounds.
Education
University of Glasgow
Master of Philosophy (MPhil) · Scottish Historical Studies · Glasgow, United Kingdom · Distinction · Oct 1983 – Jun 1985
Specialised in early modern cultural history, archival research methodologies, and tutorial seminar presentations.
University of Edinburgh
Master of Arts (Honours) · English Literature and History · Edinburgh, United Kingdom · First Class · Oct 1979 – Jun 1983
Coursework focused on textual analysis, historiography, and advanced undergraduate research seminars.
Academic Projects
Honours Transition Writing Initiative
Jan 2020 – Jun 2021
- Devised a modular academic writing framework adopted across tutorial groups to assist second-year undergraduates transitioning to honours-level research essays.
- Produced seminar reading guides and formative peer-review exercises that strengthened cohort confidence in primary source evaluation.
Core Competencies
Small-Group Tutorial Facilitation
Academic Writing Pedagogy
Dissertation Mentorship
Critical Analysis & Historiography
Formative Assessment & Feedback
Seminar Curriculum Design
Study Skills Coaching
Inclusive Teaching Strategies
Textual & Source Evaluation
Languages
English
C2
French
B2
Certifications
Senior Fellow (SFHEA)
Advance HE · Apr 2017
Voluntary Service
Lothian Community Learning Exchange
Edinburgh · Oct 2015 – Dec 2020
- Volunteer Adult Literacy Tutor
- Delivered weekly one-to-one tutoring sessions in reading comprehension and functional writing for adult learners preparing to re-enter further education.