Profile
Julia Sarju
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About Me:
I’m a lecturer in Chemistry Education at the University of York, a mum to Liv, and a long-suffering Crystal Palace fan.
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I live in North Yorkshire with my daughter and husband. I enjoy getting out and exploring nature a lot but I also love to veg in front of the tv and binge-watch Buffy, This is Us, foreign-language crime drama…..etc. I’m a relatively new mum and the last 18 months have been a full-on adventure learning how to care for a tiny human.
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I work in the Chemistry department at the University of York. Usually, that would include lots of face-to-face teaching with undergraduate students in lecture theatres, my office, and our teaching laboratory. This year, like many people, I have been working at home and spending a lot of my day in zoom meetings with students and colleagues.
In terms of my role, it is split between teaching chemistry, supporting students and staff with disabilities, developing inclusive teaching practices and policies, and carrying out chemistry education research.
Widespread inequalities in access and experience exist and persist in STEM education. I work with students and colleagues at my university and others to understand the individual experiences students have of learning chemistry at university and to develop new teaching methods and activities to improve equity in science education.
Some of the projects we have worked on in the past include:
- Creating tactile 3D models
- Developing inclusive outreach activities
- Developing and evaluating inclusive teaching training
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My Typical Day:
I get up early and get some reading and writing done before my meetings start. I feel most creative in the morning. Then I will usually spend most of my working days meeting with students and staff virtually.
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Read more
I get up early and get some reading and writing done before my meetings start. I feel most creative in the morning. Then I will usually spend most of my working days meeting with students and staff virtually.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would use the money to work with an undergraduate chemistry education researcher to develop resource packs for teachers to introduce ethics and diversity in science discussions into their classes.
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Education:
I went to St Bede’s school in Redhill, then to the University of York to do an integrated master’s in chemistry. I spent my final year in industry which I loved and then went back to UoY to do a PhD in Catalysis.
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Qualifications:
GCSEs – Double Science, Double English, Maths, Religious Studies, ICT, Art (loved this so much), German
A Levels – Chemistry, Physics, and Maths (+ AS in German – did a work experience placement in Germany – was ace!)
MChem
PhD
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Current Job:
Lecturer in Chemistry Education at the University of York
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Curious, anxious, academic
What did you want to be after you left school?
Hairdresser, Physiotherapist, Doctor, Scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
My attendance was not very good......
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Rolling Stones
What's your favourite food?
all of the food? Just one? Ok - Cake
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
To be more confident, To have more time, and to spend more time with friends & family
Tell us a joke.
I was recently asked who my favorite vampire was. I told them it was the one from Sesame Street. "Pfft, he doesn't count," they said to me. I replied "Hmmm are you sure?"
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