Professor Sir John Holman
Science Education
President, Royal Society of Chemistry, 2016-18. President, Association for Science Education, 2019 - present. Senior Adviser in Education at the Gatsby Foundation, 2010 – present. Adviser to Wolfson Foundation, 2018 - present. Independent Strategic Adviser on Careers to Secretary of State for Education, 2021 - present. Chair, UKRI Talent Commission, 2020 – present. Chair, the Bridge Group 2018 - present.
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.
Has taught learners of chemistry and science at all levels from 11 year olds to undergraduates. Has created curricula and written books for science learners of most ages in the UK and overseas, up to undergraduate, and was the founding director of the Salters Advanced Chemistry programme.
After studying Natural Sciences at Cambridge, taught in a range of secondary schools and in 1994 became principal of Watford Grammar School for Boys, an all-ability, multi-ethnic state school. From 2000 to 2004, Salters’ Professor of Chemical Education at the University of York; appointed Chairman of the Salters’ Institute Board in 2013. Trustee of the Natural History Museum 2011 - 2019.
Named by the Science Council in 2014 as one of the 100 leading practising and inspirational UK scientists. Winner in 2014 of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Lord Lewis Award and the Royal Society’s Kavli Education Award. Honorary graduate of University of York, 2016 and of Sheffield Hallam University, 2008. Knighted in 2010 for services to education.
Selected current interests
With the Gatsby Foundation:
- Practical work in school science
- Good Career Guidance
- Subject specialist teaching in science
- Essential skills for employability
With the Education Endowment Foundation
- Improving secondary science teaching
With the Bridge Group
