Christine Du Toit

Christine Du Toit BSc, PGCE, MSc

Senior Lecturer

I am a Senior Lecturer in Computer Science at the University of Greenwich, where I have worked since 2013. My academic interests include formal language theory, compiler theory and Computer Science education, with a particular focus on accessible and inclusive teaching.

Before joining Greenwich, I lectured at Stellenbosch University in South Africa (2001–2007) and subsequently served as Head of Computing at a private college in London (2007–2012).

My research background is in formal language theory, particularly grammars with regulated rewriting. Between 2005 and 2008, I collaborated with researchers in South Africa and Sweden on methods for regulating string and tree grammars, resulting in several academic publications.

At Greenwich, I contribute to curriculum development, academic quality assurance and programme accreditation, including leading BCS accreditation activities. I currently serve as Deputy Programme Leader for Computer Science.

My work on accessible digital learning environments and student engagement was recognised with the Student-Led Teaching Award for Accessible Education in 2026. I was also shortlisted for the Inspirational Teaching Award.

I am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Fellow of BCS (FBCS), and support colleagues through mentoring and professional development.

Responsibilities within the university
  • Deputy Programme Leader – Computer Science
  • Collaborations Academic Administrator
  • Module Leader, lecturer and tutor on Computer Science programmes
  • Final Year Project Supervisor – Computer Science
  • Academic Tutor – Levels 4, 5 and 6
  • Assessment Moderator – Undergraduate Computing and Computer Science Programmes

Awards
  • Accessible Education Award – Winner, University of Greenwich Student-Led Teaching Awards, 2026
  • Inspirational Teaching Award – Shortlisted, University of Greenwich Student-Led Teaching Awards, 2026

Recognition
  • Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
  • Fellow of the British Computer Society (FBCS)
  • External Examiner – Coventry University

Research / Scholarly interests

My research background is in theoretical Computer Science, particularly formal language theory and grammars with regulated rewriting. My earlier research explored methods for regulating string and tree grammars, including the development of bag context grammars, through collaboration with researchers in South Africa and Sweden. This work resulted in several academic publications and continues to inform my interest in computational models, compiler theory and the foundations of Computer Science.

More recently, my scholarly interests have expanded to include Computer Science education, particularly the design of accessible and inclusive digital learning environments. I am interested in how the organisation, presentation and accessibility of learning resources can influence student engagement, independent learning and the overall student experience.

My recent work has focused on redesigning Moodle learning environments to improve navigation, accessibility and the presentation of teaching materials. This work has been informed by student feedback, learning analytics and iterative improvements to module design, and was presented at the Medway Learning and Teaching Conference in 2026. I am currently exploring opportunities to develop this work into a scholarly publication.

Recent publications

2008 C du Toit, F Drewes, S Ewert, B van der Merwe, A van der Walt. Bag Context Tree Grammars. Fundamenta Informaticae, 86: 459-480, 2008.
2007 C du Toit, F Drewes, S Ewert, J Hogberg, B van der Merwe, A van der Walt. Random Context Tree Grammars and Tree Transducers. South African Computer Journal, 34: 293-304, 2007.
2006 C du Toit, F Drewes, S Ewert, B van der Merwe, A van der Walt. Bag Context Tree Grammars. Lecture Notes in Computer Science, 4036: 226-237, 2006.
2005 C du Toit, F Drewes, S Ewert, B van der Merwe, A van der Walt. Random Context Tree Grammars and Tree Transducers. South African Computer Journal, 34: 11-25, 2005.
2002 C du Toit, A van der Walt. Temporal Grammars. Proceedings of SAICSIT 2002, A volume in the ACM International Conference Proceedings Series: 205-211, 2002.