Centre for Chemistry Education celebrates successful launch

In December, Imperial College London’s Department of Chemistry proudly marked the official launch of the Centre for Chemistry Education, bringing together teaching fellows, academics, educators, students and professional staff to celebrate a new, collaborative hub dedicated to advancing chemistry education across the College and beyond.

Held on Imperial’s South Kensington Campus, the launch event showcased the Centre’s vision: to place evidence-informed, inclusive and innovative teaching at the heart of chemistry education, while fostering a strong community of practice that spans departments and disciplines within and beyond Imperial.

Showcasing innovation in chemistry education

The event attracted a wide range of participants from across Imperial, reflecting the breadth of interest in chemistry education at Imperial. Attendees heard from colleagues actively engaged in educational innovation, curriculum development and education-focused research, and had opportunities to discuss shared challenges and ambitions for the future of chemistry teaching and learning.

The afternoon combined project showcases, invited ideation, and networking, giving attendees a chance to discover ongoing educational initiatives and identify opportunities for new collaborations.

Highlights included:

• Showcases of current projects and tools from Centre members, illustrating innovative approaches to teaching, assessment, and student partnership in chemistry education.
• Collaborative ideation, where colleagues discussed how to use chemistry education research and scholarship to enhance student learning and experience across programmes.
• Contributions from collaborators such as FoNS EdTech Lab and Digital Media Lab, who shared emerging work in immersive and digital media for chemistry education and explored new collaborative ideas for 2026 and beyond.
   

Professor Oscar Ces, Head of the Department of Chemistry, commented: "I believe the Centre for Chemical Education is a vital flag to gather around, focusing our innovation in chemical education. It offers a dynamic forum for exchanging best practice internally and externally. At a time when Chemistry is making such a positive impact in the world, from health to sustainability, the Centre will ensure our graduates are equipped with the skills, agility, and ethics to be positive disruptors who challenge assumptions, accelerate solutions, and lead responsibly. We are leading transformation in chemical education, and the Centre will shine a bright light on this pioneering work."

Engaging with the wider education community

The Centre now invites colleagues from across Imperial and beyond who have an interest in chemistry education – whether in teaching, curriculum design, educational technology, student partnership or discipline-based education research – to engage with its work.

Whether you are already deeply involved in education innovation or simply curious to learn more, the Centre offers a platform to share ideas, develop projects and build meaningful collaborations.

Get involved

If you would like to participate in the Centre for Chemistry Education, attend future events, or contribute ideas and projects, we would be delighted to hear from you.

For updates and further information, please visit the Centre for Chemistry Education webpages or contact the Centre team directly.

Together, we look forward to shaping the future of chemistry education at Imperial College London and beyond.

The Centre for Chemistry Education brings together pedagogy, technology, and educational research to strengthen the full arc of our practice… At its heart is a commitment to developing critical, adaptable, globally aware scientists who will thrive in an evolving world. Professor Alan Spivey, Vice-Provost (Education and Student Experience)