PhD Chemist & UniMelb lecturer tutoring university and high school students in Melbourne

Find out more about Hayden

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

  I first got hooked on chemistry starting in high school, when I realised it could explain so much about the world we see every day - from why mirrors reflect to how food cooks. Everything is made of chemicals! That fascination carried me through university, and a PhD. I started tutoring while I was working on my doctorate, after starting to teach laboratory classes at uni. I enjoyed the challenge of finding the right explanation for each person, and it quickly became something I treated as a serious engagement alongside my academic work.

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

  I teach chemistry at all levels from school through to postgrad courses. My favourite topic is definitely analytical chemistry. I find it so fascinating to think through how we link together , and the physical principles that underpin chemical behaviour - the parts that make you think, “Oh, now that makes sense.” The sections I like a little less are the very rote-heavy topics, but even there I try to find patterns and shortcuts so students can see the logic instead of memorising lists.
  
  I also teach essay writing and provide general writing support for any topic. I've learned a lot about writing through hard experience, publishing peer-reviewed scientific articles and of course writing my doctoral thesis. These lessons can be applied to any kind of writing, especially structured essays or reports, from any field of study. I love doing this as the editing and discussion gives me insight into other fields of study I don't normally have very much exposure to - it's fun to learn about biology, history, psychology and so on this way.

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

  In high school I had a chemistry teacher who inspired me. He encouraged curiosity, made room for questions, and tried hard to connect what we were learning to something real. That approach stuck with me, and I try to bring the same energy into my own teaching.

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

  A good tutor knows their subject well, but tutoring is fundamentally about communication - we listen, adapt, and keep explanations clear and engaging. It needs patience, the ability to spot the real source of a misunderstanding, and the flexibility to explain something in three different ways if that’s what it takes for it to click.

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

  During my PhD, I developed a new synthetic method for creating a type of nanoscale thin films. The research was interesting, but what stuck with me most was explaining the process to a group of visiting undergraduates. One of them told me afterwards that I had sparked their interest in material science - it's really rewarding to get the chance to inspire students in any way.

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

  One of the biggest challenges in chemistry is its sheer scope. It spans everything from atomic theory to industrial-scale processes, and each area brings its own concepts, rules, and exceptions. I learn new things all the time! On top of that, topics often overlap in subtle ways - it's impossible to really understand organic chemistry without a strong basis in physical chemistry. Helping students see these connections, rather than treating each topic as isolated, is a key part of my teaching approach; organic chemistry is not fundamentally distinct from physical chemistry, they're just different lenses we use to analyse problems.

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

  What I enjoy most is the problem-solving side of chemistry. Breaking a question down, working through the logic, and seeing the “aha” moment happen for a student is incredibly satisfying.

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

  I bring together a strong academic background - a doctorate in chemistry - with over five years of experience tutoring a wide range of students. I focus on building real understanding, not just memorisation, and I adapt my approach to meet every student where they are now.