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AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust appoints new Director

AZSTT's new Director Professor Dudley Shallcross (right) with Tim Harrison, who takes over as Director of Outreach within the School of Chemistry

AZSTT's new Director Professor Dudley Shallcross (right) with Tim Harrison, who takes over as Director of Outreach within the School of Chemistry

12 May 2010

Professor Dudley Shallcross of the School of Chemistry has been appointed Director of AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust (AZSTT).

Professor Shallcross came to the School of Chemistry at Bristol University in 1999 as a lecturer and combined running a very successful research group in atmospheric science with establishing a strong regional chemistry schoolteacher network, called CHeMneT. By 2004 this network was 200 strong and with the establishment of Bristol ChemLabS, a HEFCE Centre for Excellence in Teaching and Learning, in 2005, the range and impact of the activities increased massively. Professor Shallcross became the Outreach Director for Bristol ChemLabS, a post he has held until becoming Director of the AZSTT. Two of the main reasons for the success of Bristol ChemLabS Outreach were the establishment of a full-time School Teacher Fellow position and the provision of high-quality training in science communication for postgraduate students, who then took on the role of science ambassadors. In this time Professor Shallcross has won nine national awards and one international award for science education and science communication. He is a great advocate of hands-on science and wants students and the public to experience real science for themselves.

Under Hugh Lawlor’s guidance the Trust has established a reputation within the science education community for providing pedagogic support and continuing professional development for science teachers in the UK. Its work was initially targeted at teachers of science at primary level but it has recently become more engaged with the transition to secondary education.

‘The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust prospered under Hugh Lawlor’s leadership over more than a decade,’ said Chair of Trustees, Mike Rance. ‘The Trustees are excited by the prospect of working with Dudley to build on the foundations created by Hugh.’

‘I have seen first-hand the difference good science teaching can make to school students. The AstraZeneca Science Teaching Trust has played a pivotal role in supporting science teachers at primary and transition level in the UK over the last 12 years. I am delighted to have the opportunity to continue and extend this work,’ said the new Director, Dudley Shallcross.

More information on the Trust and its activities can be found online.

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