Lecturer Spotlight: John Hayes

What's your role at D&A College, and what's the story behind how you ended up here? 

I have been incredibly lucky to have achieved two ambitions in life, working in theatre and teaching History. They say that all great teachers are failed actors, so, having graduated from Dundee and Aberdeen Universities with undergraduate and postgraduate Degrees in History, Research and Librarianship, my first job in academia was at Abertay University where I was involved in the setting up of the Information Literacy project as a Teaching Assistant and Researcher in the Department of Social Sciences. I then moved to Dundee College in 2007 as a lecturer in Core Skills/Academic Studies based between the ‘Conshie’, Kingsway and Melrose Terrace Campuses. 

Incidentally, I started at the same time as a certain Simon Hewitt, and I often wonder what became of him??? 

Establishing the exchange between D&A and Northern Virginia Community College in 2014 has been one of my proudest achievements. Watching students and staff experience great things through that collaboration reminds me why education is such a powerful force for connection and change. Although things have been quiet on that front since Covid times, I am still in contact with the many colleagues and friends I met through the programme, and I hope that we can restart the exchange trips at some point in the very near future. 

So, work is one thing, but what's the scoop on your life outside these college walls? Any exciting projects or weekend adventures? 

I have three great passions in life, firstly my family with my wife Shoanna (who works in Student Recruitment) and our four children that we have between each other, it’s often like The Broons in our house - full of characters and you just never know what’s going to happen next! 

I am also a practising Freemason. I’m a Past Master of Lodge Panmure No. 299 in Arbroath, Provincial Grand Secretary of the Provincial Grand Lodge of Forfarshire and Grand Steward of the Grand Lodge of Scotland, so as you can guess, this keeps me pretty busy. 

Lastly, anyone who knows me knows of my passion for theatre and Robert Burns, our National Bard and his work. I have been performing on stage, and Burns poetry and song for over 40 years, I’m Immediate Past President of Arbroath Burns Club and Honorary Member of the Howff Burns Club, Dumfries, the Tarbolton Batchelors and the World Burns Federation Roll of Associated Past Presidents. 

Exciting prospects, well there is one imminently, my wife Shoanna and I have been invited by His Majesty King Charles to attend the Royal Garden Party this July at Holyrood Palace. Awarded for, according to the affae posh letter, services to education and the community, however, regardless of reason, it was a very lovely surprise, and we very much look forward to it. 

If you had to ditch your current expertise for something entirely different, what subject would you dive into, and what's the reasoning behind your switch up? 

If I’d ditched History and opted for Law instead in 1993 (I was accepted for both), I probably would have become a Prosecutor - because it’s where performance meets purpose. For me, the courtroom is a stage with real stakes, and my passion for clear argument, compelling narrative, sharp delivery and outrageous performance would be right at home.  

If I switched right now, I’d get to turn facts into stories, evidence into impact, and use my voice not just to educate, but to advocate.  

If I’d done it then would have been retired by now with a KC’s pension and living half the year in Spain! lol 

If you could have any person, dead or alive, as a guest lecturer in your class, who would it be and why? 

There’s a multitude of interesting and colourful characters that I would love to have talk to my students, Robert Burns included obviously, but for me, and one of my absolute heroes, Peter Ustinov would make a captivating guest lecturer with his rare blend of global perspective, theatrical brilliance, and historical insight.  

He was a consummate storyteller, raconteur and wit. He lived through pivotal moments in 20th-century and could illuminate them with wit, wisdom, and charm. His roles as humanitarian, actor, and academic made him uniquely equipped to bridge the worlds of the arts, politics, and education - perfect for sparking student curiosity and transforming the classroom into a stage. 

Share with us the most valuable piece of advice you've picked up on your academic adventure, especially when it comes to navigating the ins and outs of your subject. 

An old boss of mines, Alastair Sutherland, a wonderful man and character used to say that a college lecturer is the best job in the world, and he was right! 

You don’t just teach subjects, you shape lives, you spark ideas, and you watch confidence take root and flourish. There’s no greater reward than knowing your words might echo in someone’s future, and it’s always profoundly emotional watching students progress through our courses then waving them off to the ‘big school’ – university. 

My advice for a new lecturer is simple - meet learners where they are but never leave them there. 

If John has inspired you, browse our Social Science courses here! 

Look out for more lecturer spotlights coming soon!