With bachelor’s and master’s degrees in physics from the University of Valencia, Spain, Ignasi Josep Soler Poquet joined ITA and RoCS in 2023 as a Doctoral Research Fellow. This semester he taught a welcoming, hands‑on course at the Institute of Theoretical Astrophysics. He taught four to six hours a week and spent two to three full days preparing his lectures.
– Two years ago, I had the chance to become a Teaching assistant, and this year, I was offered the position of main lecturer for the course, Ignasi explains. The ITA staff and supervisors trusted me and encouraged me a lot to take this opportunity, so I couldn't refuse it.
A passion for teaching
Ignasi’s love of teaching is clear when he explains why he chose this path: – I’ve always liked to teach, it’s a fundamental part of learning. It teaches you how to communicate and how to truly understand concepts, he says.
That deeper understanding benefits more than his students; it also enriches Ignasi’s research.
Teaching university courses forces you to study broader fields outside your main research. You get a richer, more general knowledge of physics.
Teaching philosophy
When it comes to his teaching philosophy, Ignasi stresses the importance of passion. He says it is easy for students to tell if a teacher enjoys the subject, because that enthusiasm is contagious. He also insists on student participation and argues that making students feel part of the lecture is essential.
He admits that participation can be a challenge. – It can be frustrating when students don’t contribute, he says. I think the teacher has the responsibility, but if students don’t fulfil their role, there is only so much I can do to help them improve.
To make astrophysics accessible, Ignasi relies on everyday examples.
I try to link concepts to our daily lives.
he says, and in his Observational Astronomy class he pairs theory with real-world applications to spark interest.
The future of education
Ignasi is concerned about trends in STEM teaching. He feels students are losing some basic notions of physics, including core experimental skills, while others become highly specialised in areas like programming or machine learning. – Those skills are essential today, he says, but they should not overshadow the fundamental principles of physics.
– I feel that students are losing some basic notions of physics, such as fundamental knowledge of experimental physics or other fundamental fields, he warns.
– At the same time, some students are becoming highly specialised in other areas, such as programming or machine learning. Although these skills are essential today, they should not overshadow the fundamental principles of physics.
He also highlights the need for resilience in students and cautions against overprotection.
– Students develop many capabilities when they are under pressure, and this makes them mentally stronger. However, overprotection can be detrimental.
Advice for aspiring educators
For those considering a teaching role, Ignasi offers sage advice: – Start preparing early enough. It takes time to learn everything in detail. He believes in maintaining humility, reminding educators that saying “I don’t know” is perfectly okay. It builds trust between teacher and student.
A commitment to science communication
Ignasi’s passion goes beyond the classroom and into science communication. He believes researchers play a vital role in pushing the frontiers of knowledge and should share that with society. Despite the extra time it requires, he remains committed to inspiring future generations and reminds us that teaching is not just about imparting knowledge but about igniting curiosity and encouraging exploration.
We play a vital role in pushing the frontiers of knowledge, and it’s important to share this with society.
– I am very grateful to my students and to the institute for giving me the teaching opportunity. It has been a privilege to teach a class for an entire course with such excellent students. I hope I can continue doing it in the future and that my students will never forget the most important equation of astrophysics, he concludes — then reveals the answer: "λ/D".