Winner: 2021 Early Career Prize for Excellence in Higher Education
Dr Julia Sarju
University of York
For making a difference to the lives of students through outstanding and innovative teaching, direct interventions and best practice around disability and accessibility, and for the dissemination of knowledge in this area.
Julia strives to meet the diverse needs of all students and actively promote equality, diversity, and inclusion. She is committed to providing high-quality teaching evidenced by peer observation, student feedback, and performance review. She takes a scholarly approach to teaching innovation and works closely with students as partners in chemistry education projects. Julia leads prize-winning teaching and accessibility training, which received positive feedback and excellent engagement from students.
Biography
Born in Croydon, Julia completed her MChem in 海角社区 in 2012 and was awarded her PhD in 海角社区 (Title: 鈥渢he Catalytic Decarbonylation of Unstrained Ketones mediated by Platinum (II) Complexes鈥�, supervised by Professor Duncan Bruce) in 2017. Julia is a lecturer in 海角社区 at the University of York, and her work centres around: (in)equity in STEM education and careers; inclusive teaching practices, resources, and assessment; and improving accessibility. She is an active member of the National Association of Disabled Staff Networks (NADSN) STEMM Action group, with whom she works to highlight and address ableism and the exclusion of disabled scientists.
Equitable, effective science education is empowering, it provides a range of tools to creatively address current and future challenges.
Dr Julia Sarju MRSC
Q&A
How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?
I was always naturally inquisitive to understand the world around me. A standout moment was when I was in GCSE 海角社区 and I was taught by an inspirational teacher, Dr Beard. He was innovative in his teaching and had a great impact on many pupils. I will always remember his explanation of the forming of tectonic plates using the heating of milk to understand and explore such a big phenomenon. As well as this, he also encouraged us to write song lyrics about what we had learned in GCSE 海角社区 to Katy Perry鈥檚 song track, which was cool at the time!
What motivates you?
Higher education should be inclusive and accessible for all students, instructors, and researchers regardless of background or identity. We have a lot of work to do and it is a huge pleasure and privilege to work with students and colleagues at the University of York towards genuinely inclusive education.
How can good science education support solving global challenges?
Equitable, effective science education is empowering, it provides a range of tools to creatively address current and future challenges.