A University of Hull professor has been named the Honorary President of the Association for Science Education (ASE), Yorkshire branch, as the ASE celebrates its 60th anniversary.
From August 2023, Professor Brad Gibson, Head of the Department of Physics and Mathematics and Director of the E.A. Milne Centre for Astrophysics at the University of Hull, will take up his new appointment in recognition of his tireless commitment to supporting primary and secondary teachers across the region.
That commitment is reflected through more than 1000 events Professor Brad Gibson has run over the last seven years, spanning 100 schools and colleges (two-thirds of which are in the most socio-economically challenged regions of the country). In turn, he has reached more than 50,000 in-person and an additional 3 million through the online activities he has created.
Speaking about his new position, Professor Brad Gibson said: “Perhaps the most exciting part of my job since coming to Hull has been building one of, if not the, leading schools outreach programmes in the country.
“It has transformed my own growth in ways that I could not have predicted, and I see this appointment as a further means by which to build even more and stronger regional partnerships with schools, and hopefully share and instil that passion to partners across the ASE.
The Association for Science Education is the pre-eminent body responsible for supporting and promoting science education across the UK. The association represents more than 5000 teachers, technicians, advisors, and tutors, across primary, secondary and post-16 education.
The ASE also operates a Royal Charter, independent of government, which provides an influential voice for educators responsible for training and inspiring the next generation of scientists. This underpins the country’s Plan for Growth.
As Co-Chair of the ASE, and a member of the Yorkshire Region Committee, Prof Leigh Hoath said: “We are absolutely delighted to have the wealth of experience and knowledge Brad brings to the region. It will be a privilege to have him advocating for the association and as an ambassador for science education in Yorkshire.”
Everyone involved in the association provides a wealth of learning to thousands of members across the country, as well as overseeing the dissemination of education research through its in-house suite of sector-leading journals.