Suzanne Fergus

Suzanne Fergus is a Professor of Learning and Technology Enhancement at the University of Hertfordshire. She holds affiliations with the School of Life and Medical Sciences, the Department of Clinical, Pharmaceutical and Biological Science, the Centre for Health Services and Clinical Research, and the Psychopharmacology, Drug Misuse and Novel Psychoactive Substances Unit. Her work integrates constructivist blended learning approaches with technology to bridge cognition gaps and enhance metacognitive regulation among students.

Her research focuses on cognitive enhancers, academic transition strategies, and mechanisms of drug action, particularly ketamine's effects on bladder hypersensitivity and the purity analysis of 'legal highs.' She has served as Principal Investigator (PI) or Co-Investigator (CoI) in multiple projects, including:

• A comparative study of cognitive enhancers in UK/UAE higher education (2018–2021)
• Demystifying Academic Expectations in university curricula (2018–2019)
• KetBladd: Ketamine's bladder hypersensitivity mechanisms (2012–2018)
• Determination of purity of 'Legal Highs' (2011)

Fergus has received prestigious awards including the Royal Society of Chemistry Higher Education Teaching Award (2016) and National Teaching Fellowship (2017), alongside her status as a Principal Fellow PFHEA. Her work bridges educational technology innovation with clinical pharmacology research, emphasizing student-centered learning environments and drug misuse prevention.

In grants and advising, she has secured funding from the Nuffield Foundation and led projects addressing academic integrity in AI-driven education (ChatGPT analysis) and student support frameworks. She collaborates internationally, with recent studies in UAE universities and interdisciplinary teams in psychopharmacology.

Her research units include the Centre for Research in Mechanisms of Disease and Drug Discovery, focusing on drug discovery processes and health service improvements through technology-enhanced learning.