Two Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Awards for Chemistry
Chemistry lecturers, Dr Julia Sarju and Dr Lizzie Wheeldon have received the Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award 2021 in recognition of ‘excellent contributions’ to learning and teaching activities in the Department of Chemistry.
The University of York Vice-Chancellor’s Teaching Award celebrates significant achievements in teaching and learning support, and will be conferred later in the year at one of the 2021 deferred graduation ceremonies.
Dr Julia Sarju has been a Lecturer in the Department since October 2016, contributing widely to the Department’s teaching. She has recently contributed to the development of a new research-led Masters level chemistry course, designed to connect students to authentic research taking place at York, and has designed and supervised Year 3 mini research projects developing synthetic routes to antimalarial target compounds. Julia has led prize-winning inclusive teaching and accessibility training for GTAs, is an active member of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks and is passionate about working for the inclusion of disabled scientists. She is the Departmental Disability Officer for Chemistry.
Dr Lizzie Wheeldon has been an Associate Lecturer in the Department since September 2019, delivering tutorials and workshops across all years on a range of modules and topics. As module coordinator for year 1 practical chemistry, she has led the first year students through the current challenging academic year in labs, and has been experimental coordinator for practical experiments in all 3 years. As a supporter of outreach and widening participation, Lizzie gets involved in many opportunities including the Royal Society of Chemistry Top of the Bench competition, and Salters Festival of Chemistry. Using her experience in outreach, she has also run a successful outreach mini-project for third year MChem students.
Vice Chancellor Charlie Jeffrey wrote to the winners:
“The Panel was impressed with the excellent contributions you have made across a wide range of learning and teaching activities in the department. The panel was also impressed with the outstanding feedback you receive from staff and students. You are clearly committed to the delivery of high quality, innovative teaching, engaging with and responding to your students, as well as carefully reflecting on your practices.”