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York scientist wins Royal Society prize

Posted on 5 August 2014

A University of York scientist is the recipient of a major award from the Royal Society in recognition of his ‘significant impact on science education within the UK’.

The Royal Society awarded the 2014 Kavli Education Prize to Professor Sir John Holman, of the University’s Department of Chemistry. He is among 19 recipients of the Royal Society’s 2014 awards, medals and prize lectures in recognition of their achievements in a wide variety of fields of research.

Sir John said: “It is a great honour to receive this prize from the world's premier scientific society. I have also been privileged to be part of the Royal Society's Vision programme, setting out a blueprint for science and mathematics education for the coming years.”

Earlier this year, he was the Royal Society of Chemistry Lord Lewis Prize winner for 2014, which recognised his extensive influence over chemistry education policy. As well as being an Emeritus Professor in Chemistry at York, Sir John is adviser in Education at the Wellcome Trust and the Gatsby Foundation. 

He was the founding Director of the National Science Learning Centre from 2004 until September 2010, and adviser to the English government as National Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) Director from 2006 until September 2010. He has taught learners of chemistry and science at all levels from 11 year olds to undergraduates and currently teaches chemistry to undergraduates at York. 

The full list of Royal Society Awards, Medals and Prize Lectures is here: https://royalsociety.org/awards/medallists/2014/

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