Chemistry & Physics Functions and Events

Recent Events

2009

• ACOLS/ACOFT Conference
  

ACOLS/ACOFT 2009 Conference

29 November - 3rd December, 2009
The University of Adelaide, South Australia

Australasian Conference on Optics, Lasers & Spectroscopy and Australian Conference on Optical Fibre Technology in association with the International Workshop on Dissipative Solitons.

http://www.plevin.com.au/acoftacols2009/index.htm

2008

• Education Medal to Dr Judith Pollard
• Prestigious US Award to a University of Adelaide Chemistry Alumnus
• Teaching Excellence Award
• Executive Dean of Sciences Award
• National Physics Award to Researcher

Archive

Past Functions and Events

Education Medal to Dr Judith Pollard

Message from the School Head:

I am very pleased to announce that Dr Judith Pollard has won the Australian Institute of Physics (AIP) Education Medal.  Judith will receive her medal this evening at the banquet of the AIP Congress currently being held here at the University of Adelaide.

The Education Medal is awarded every second year to a Physicist who is judged to have made the most significant contribution to physics education in Australia.  Its purpose is to emphasize the importance of physics education in Australia.

On behalf of the School of Chemistry & Physics, I thank Judith for her leadership in physics education through her development of new approaches to student learning, her clear lecture presentations and especially her excellence in assessment practice and strategy.

Congratulations Judith!

Derek Leinweber

Australian Learning & Teaching Council Leadership Grant

Message from the School Head:

Please join me in congratulating Simon Pyke and Mark Buntine in their award of an Australian Learning & Teaching Council (ALTC) Leadership Grant entitled "Developing leaders of change in the teaching of large university chemistry classes."

Funding in the amount of $111,000 will establish excellence in science learning and teaching in Australian Universities, with a focus on first year science programs characterised by large lectures, didactic teaching methods and mono-cultural learning environments. The project aims to develop academic leadership capabilities and "leadership for excellence" through the creation of a purposeful network of Science Learning Leaders supported by a national Science Learning Hub.

This is a collaborative project with five universities joining the University of Adelaide, including Charles Sturt University, University of Sydney (NSW), Curtin University (WA), Deakin University (Vic) and University of Tasmania (Tas).

This award follows on Simon's ALTC Citation (formerly known as the Carrick Citation), "For enabling successful learning in the discipline of organic chemistry by providing a supportive, student-centred learning environment that fosters self-confidence and independent learning." These national awards for excellence in teaching and learning recognise the best educators in Australia.

Congratulations!

Derek Leinweber

Teaching Excellence Award

A big congratulations to Associate Professor Simon Pyke for being awarded a major teaching excellence award.

A citations awarded by the Australian Learning and Teaching Council (ALTC) (formerly known as the Carrick Institute). was presented to Associate Professor Simon Pyke for enabling successful learning in the discipline of organic chemistry by providing a supportive, student-centred learning environment that fosters self-confidence and independent learning. A celebration was held Thursday, 7 August, at the University’s National Wine Centre, Adelaide.

Executive Dean of Sciences Award

Dr Tak W. Kee has been awarded the Executive Dean of Sciences Awards for Excellence in Teaching 2008 in the ‘First five years of teaching’ category.

Tak took up the position of Lecturer Level B in the School of Chemistry and Physics in April 2006. Since then he has been actively participating in the teaching program within the Discipline of Chemistry and has taught courses at all levels of the undergraduate program. Prior to his arrival at the University of Adelaide, he had gained teaching experience serving as a teaching assistant at Iowa State University, the University of Minnesota, and the University of Texas at Austin. Since Tak’s arrival at the University of Adelaide, his teaching focus has primarily been on developing new course components, delivering lectures, and developing new practicals (principally in the broad area of physical chemistry). These activities have contributed significantly to shaping his understanding of the importance of learning and teaching. Tak has obtained very positive feedback from students in his classes which he has used not only to monitor his own performance but also to inform curriculum development. One highlight of student feedback has been the observation of his willingness to engage with students outside of scheduled classes.

National Physics Award to Researcher

University of Adelaide physics researcher Associate Professor Derek Leinweber has won one of Australia's major physics prizes for his research contribution to physics.

Adelaidean Article