Professor Alexander Archibald has received a promotion on the Research and Teaching pathway, which up to now, has been the only route open for academic promotion. New to the University this year is a pathway for promotion for those whose primary focus is on Teaching and Scholarship. This recognition of the significance and impact of teaching is an incredibly important development for the University. Dr Sally Boss, Dr James Keeler, Dr Deborah Longbottom and Dr Peter Wothers have received promotions on this new Teaching and Scholarship pathway.

Alex Archibald

Alex Archibald at Emmanuel, Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge

Professor of Atmospheric Chemistry Alex Archibald studies the chemistry of gases and particles in the air. His group’s research aims to enable new pathways to reduce air pollution and mitigate climate change. Alex is leading a new programme funded by NERC to investigate the atmospheric chemistry of dimethyl sulfide – a molecule that gives the sea its distinctive smell.
 
“I’m delighted to have been promoted and want to thank everyone that’s helped me thus far – especially my research group who I wouldn’t be doing what I’m doing without! This feels like a real achievement, especially for a state-schooled lad from the mean streets of Bristol.”

Sally Boss

Sally Boss, Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge

Dr Sally Boss is a teaching fellow in inorganic chemistry and is deputy senior tutor at Churchill College. She is currently co-writing a textbook on transition metal structure, bonding and reactivity and is leading a project on the awarding and attainment gap in Chemistry.
 
“I am delighted to receive the news of my promotion. I feel very lucky to work with hugely supportive colleagues and a never-ending supply of extraordinarily talented students. Both of these groups of people have played a significant part in this promotion being possible. I am very grateful to those who have supported me in my career so far.”

James Keeler

James Keeler, Gabriella Bocchetti ©University of Cambridge

Professor James Keeler is Head of Department continuing the work of his predecessor Professor John Pyle, fostering the success and ambition of the department. In addition to his administrative duties James continues to lecture and supervise physical and theoretical chemistry. He was the Department’s first Director of Teaching, a role he held for many years before becoming Head of Department.
 
“I am of course absolutely delighted to receive this promotion and recognition, but the pleasure is all the greater because from now on I know that those with a focus on teaching a scholarship in the University will be fully recognised.”

Deborah Longbottom

Debs Longbottom, Nathan Pitt ©University of Cambridge

Dr Deborah Longbottom is Head of Postgraduate Education and a Teaching Fellow in Chemistry, in combination with her role as Director of Education in the School of the Physical Sciences. Between these roles, where she has a view of all education activities from the grass roots teaching and education in the Department, through to the strategic educational decisions being made at the School and University, she can honestly say that there is never a dull moment!
 
“I’m really proud to be in this first group of people who have been promoted on the Teaching and Scholarship pathway, and extremely grateful to all those who have encouraged and supported me at work and at home over all the years leading up to it.  Coming from a family where I was the first person to attend University, this really does feel like a particularly special achievement.”

Peter Wothers

Pete Wothers, Michael Webb ©University of Cambridge

Dr Peter Wothers is a teaching fellow and director of studies in chemistry at St Catherine's College. Peter lectures in Natural Sciences and is heavily involved in science outreach. Recently, Peter gave a seminar on pioneering science writer Jane Marcet, and he is working on his next iteration of outreach lectures.

Dr Nick Bampos, the deputy head of the department, comments: “Please join me in congratulating them all on their promotions. This is the first year that academic promotions on the basis of Teaching and Scholarship have been possible. The Department has campaigned for some time for the proper recognition of teaching as a pathway to promotion so it is especially gratifying that this has at last been achieved and that several of our colleagues are now officially recognised for their contributions.”

The promotions will come into effect on 1 October 2023.