Paul Bronson

Paul Bronson is a full-time English/communication lecturer at Victoria University, where he has taught since 2006. He teaches academic and professional English communication skills at the undergraduate and postgraduate level to students from diverse backgrounds. 

His research interests include TESOL, Problem Based Learning (PBL), and arts and engineering education.  He has a number of publications in PBL and engineering education and these are the main focus of his PhD. 

Paul is a coordinator for the Bachelor of Arts program and Postgraduate Professional English and has input in curriculum and assessment development in arts and engineering.  He has worked at language schools and universities both in Australia and in Japan. As a volunteer he has been involved with the Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA) as the treasurer since 2008 and also helped run events such as postgraduate seminars and the 3 minute thesis competition. Thoughtful discussion and critical analysis are encouraged in the classes he teaches. Paul enjoys language learning and cultural exchange, and can speak Japanese.

Recent publications

Bronson, P (2011), ‘A study of English language workshops for engineers’, Conference presentation for the 5^th Academic Forum of Chinese Government Sponsored Postgraduates and Scholars in Melbourne, Australia

Bronson, P (2009), ‘Justification and proposed methodology for investigating CALD students studying engineering in a PBL environment’, Proceedings of the 18th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, Melbourne, Australia.

Simcock, A, Shi, J, Mphande, C & Bronson, P, (2009), Developing Academic Staff Awareness of Learning styles, Communication Competency and Assessment in PBL.  In INNOVATIONS 2009: World Innovations in Engineering Education and Research. The iNEER Special Volume for 2009 pp. 351-373

Bronson, P, Ng, A & Wong K K (2007). ‘Design and Implementation of a peer assessment tool for Problem Based Learning in Engineering’, Proceedings of the 18th Annual Conference of the Australasian Association for Engineering Education, 9-13 December, 2007, Melbourne, Australia.

Bronson, P, Ng, A & Wong K K (2007). ‘Development and Implementation of Problem Based Learning Assessment tools for use in Engineering’, Proceedings of the International Conference on Engineering Education and Research, Melbourne, Australia.

Teaching responsibilities

Communication for Academic Purposes A

Communication for Academic Purposes B

Professional English for Non-native Speakers of English

Interacting in the Professional Workplace

Professional Practice in the Workplace

Engineering and the Community.

Coordination

Paul is coordinator for all of the above units, and also coordinates:

• Bachelor of Arts
• Postgraduate Professional English.

Research grants

Bronson, P (2010-2011) ‘Using condensed English programs to enhance the communication skills of engineering students’, LTPF Grant, Victoria University, $40,000

Bronson, P, Evans, G, Wong, K, Jayasuriya, K & Ng, A (2006-2--7) ‘Review and develop an explicit assessment framework used in assessment of PBL subjects in first year engineering courses’, TLS Grant, Victoria University, $25,000

Bronson, P, Ives, R, Mphande, C, Simcock, A & Shi, J (2006-2007) ‘Language across the curriculum’, TLS Grant, Victoria University, $22,500.

Professional memberships

• Victoria University Postgraduate Association (VUPA) Treasurer
• Australian Society of Engineering Education (ASEE)
• International Network for Engineering Education and Research (INEER).