Pearson Education RACI Centenary of Federation Chemistry Educator

Pearson Education Australia is Australia’s leading publisher of educational resources. Pearson Education Australia have established this joint award with the RACI for academics whose primary activity is teaching in the chemistry discipline. This award is designed to encourage developing teachers, and is open to tutors, lecturers and senior lecturers (academic levels A, B and C) teaching in undergraduate or postgraduate University courses.

Dr. Peter Rutledge

A committed, internationally recognised chemistry educator with a passion for technology

Dr Peter Rutledge has demonstrated notable teaching leadership through a number of initiatives to enhance the student experience in chemistry and more widely in science. He uses a range of innovative strategies to engage students and communicate concepts, and has been at the forefront of integrating research and inquiry methods into lecture, tutorial and laboratory courses. With Associate Professor Adam Bridgeman, he led the introduction of a system that delivers high quality and rapid feedback for large classes at the University of Sydney. This system is now used outside chemistry in other disciplines and has been recognised with the University of Sydney Vice Chancellor’s Award for Support of the Student Experience in 2010 and the national ALTC Award for Programs that Enhance Learning in 2011.

Dr Rutledge’s enthusiasm for chemistry takes him beyond the university into the wider community where he has connected with hundreds of high school students as the RACI Nyholm Youth Lecturer and through outreach programs with the New South Wales Department of Education and Training, the Australian Museum, the Powerhouse Museum and the Macleay Museum.

Dr Rutledge is a deeply committed teacher with a proven ability to engage, inspire and educate students at all levels. His approach to teaching and learning is built on a philosophy of individual engagement and an empathetic understanding of the teacher/ student relationship, fired by his passion for chemistry and belief in its potential to improve the world. His teaching initiatives have an impact well beyond his own classes: journal articles and channels on Youtube and Flickr reach an international audience, while his outreach teaching has inspired school students and their teachers around the world.