“Teaching large, thinking deep: Active learning and assessment in expanding classrooms”
a Joint FEBS & Norwegian Biochemical Society Education Workshop
Department of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen (Norway), 18–19 September 2025
Workshop website:
Organisers:
- FEBS Education and Training Committee
- Norwegian Biochemical Society
Inspiration: Empowering educators to foster engagement and meaningful evaluation in biomedical education.
Highlights:
- Workshops on concept-driven MCQ writing, sustainable labs, presentations, networking, scientific writing & awareness and attitude in the PhD journey
- Networking at Bergen’s vibrant Eitri Innovation Center
- FEBS Education and Training Academy certified module (18-20 Sept.):
“Bridging Science and Teaching: Active Learning Strategies for Molecular Life Scientists”
Requires 3 × 3 = 9 hours of full participation (and additional registration fee)
Registration: through the Workshop website
- 50 € for the FEBS+NBS workshop
- +125 € for the certified FEBS Education and Training Academy Workshop
Bursaries:
- A limited number of fee waivers are available for early-career participants. Apply with a short paragraph (max 200 words) explaining your motivation (via registration form).
- Staff of the Dept. of Biomedicine, Faculty of Medicine, University of Bergen enjoy a reduced fee (discount code shared with them)
Program:
Day 1 – Thursday, 18 September
| 09:00–09:15 | Welcome & opening remarks — Ferhan Sağın (FEBS) and Knut Teigen (NBS) |
| 09:15–09:30 | FEBS Education and Training Committee activities — Ferhan Sağın (FEBS) |
| 09:30–10:05 | Why active learning in large classes? — Manuel João Costa (Portugal) |
| 10:05–10:25 | The slacker’s guide to active learning — Sehoya Cotner (Norway) |
| 10:25–10:45 | The magic (and mess) of small-group learning — Ferhan Sağın (Turkey) |
| 11:15–11:35 | Why we assess: a practical introduction — Ayhan Çalışkan (UAE) |
| 11:35-11:55 | Evidence-based, inclusive assessment — Sehoya Cotner (Norway) |
| 11:55–12:30 | Artificial intelligence as a study buddy: adaptive feedback and smart assessment — Olav Tenstad -(Norway) |
| 14:00–17:00 | Parallel hands-on tracks: | ||
Track A FEBS Education and Training Academy workshop |
Track B Hands-on workshop |
Track C Transferable skills package for young researchers |
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| 14:00–15:30 | Active learning (I) Trainer: Manuel João Costa (Portugal) |
Beyond recall: crafting concept-driven MCQs Trainer: Ayhan Çalışkan (UAE) |
Efficient networking in the academic world Trainer: Nino Sincic (Croatia) |
| 15:30–17:00 | Science, slides, and stage fright: a survival guide Trainer: Ali Burak Özkaya (Turkey) |
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| 17:00–18:00 | Meet & mingle at Eitri: a taste of innovation and connections | ||
Day 2 – Friday, 19 September
| 09:00–12:00 | Parallel hands-on tracks: | ||
Track A FEBS Education and Training Academy workshop |
Track B Hands-on workshop |
Track C Transferable skills package for young researchers |
|
| 09:00–10:30 | Active learning (II) Trainer: Manuel João Costa (Portugal) |
Making labs more sustainable and training the future scientists for it Trainer: Didier Picard (Switzerland) |
From ‘start writing’ to ‘submit’: a practical guide to scientific writing Trainer: Frank Michelangeli (UK) |
| 10:30–12:00 | Awareness and attitude as the cornerstones of a successful and joyful PhD journey Trainer: Jerka Dumic (Croatia) |
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| 12:30–13:30 | Short talks (5 min slots) |
| 14:30–15:15 | From ideas to action: implementing change in your classroom — Moderated roundtables - Interactive reflection session with facilitators |
| 15:15–15:30 | Reporting back and discussion: Challenges and solutions — Moderator: Ferhan Sağın |
| 15:30–16:15 | Large classes, small fixes, big impact — Ali Burak Özkaya (Turkey) |
| 16:15-16:30 | Closing remarks — Ferhan Sağın (FEBS) and Knut Teigen (NBS) |
Day 3 – Saturday, 20 September
(Only for attendees registered for the FEBS Education and Training Academy certified module)
Active learning (III)