Associate Professor, UCL PhD, Cambridge 1st class grad, 14 years teaching experience in academia, outstanding tutor in politics, philosophy, IR, history, writing coach.

Find out more about Guy

• When did you develop an interest in your chosen field and in private tutoring?

  I became interested in politics after studying history of political thought at Cambridge as an undergraduate. I later developed a love for tutoring whilst doing my PhD around a decade ago. I really appreciate the chance to work closely with students and catalyse a big leap forward in their skills and understanding.

• Tell us more about the subject you teach, the topics you like to discuss with students (and possibly those you like a little less).

  The best kinds of lesson for me are those that feel like a joint exploration of difficult topics with no stone left unturned. The best moments are when students are able to connect abstract ideas around justice, realism, human rights etc. to concrete cases from real-world politics.

• Did you have any role models; a teacher that inspired you?

  I was privileged to have many amazing teachers in my time. One of my favourite professors was Quentin Skinner at Cambridge who taught me Hobbes. Not only was he a ground-breaking researcher in intellectual history, he also had an infectious enthusiasm that carried over to his teaching.

• What do you think are the qualities required to be a good tutor?

  The best thing we can do for students as tutors is to share our passion for the subject to get them inspired and motivated. When people start to love the process, rather than focusing on specific goals like passing exams, the rest takes care of itself.

• Provide a valuable anecdote related to your subject or your days at school.

  One thing I always stress to students, based on my own experience, is to get plenty of sleep! I messed up some exams once by staying up late studying and getting up early to do the same. This was completely pointless because my brain didn't function the next day, and I paid for it in the exam.

• What were the difficulties or challenges you faced or still facing in your subject?

  Students sometimes struggle with the idea that there are no "correct" answers to lots of the questions we discuss in politics and philosophy (or at least not of the kind you expect to find in a science subject). However, this does not mean some answers aren't better than others! The best thing we can do is help students think for themselves and give evidence for their arguments.

• Do you have a particular passion? Is it teaching in general or an element of the subject or something completely different?

  I love writing and when not teaching I spend most of my time writing academic articles in politics looking at issues of human rights, immigration and democracy. I love to share this cutting-edge research with students who have an interest and show them the research process.

• What makes you a Superprof (besides answering these interview questions :-P) ?

  I have unmatched experience as a tutor as someone who is also senior lecturer with 13 years experience teaching politics and philosophy at top global universities. I combine this with a relaxed, friendly style that makes students feel comfortable and ready to learn.