蜜桃社区

Q&A with Matthew Gundry

What would be your advice to educators who are working with colleagues going above and beyond, but are yet to nominate them for an 蜜桃社区 Education prize?

It鈥檚 easy to assume that colleagues who go above and beyond already know the value of what they do, but formal recognition can make a huge difference. Taking the time to nominate someone is a powerful way of celebrating their impact, showing them that their work matters, and giving chemistry education the recognition it deserves.

How did you first become interested in chemistry or science?

I鈥檝e always been curious about why and how things work, and I鈥檝e found understanding the universe around us endlessly fascinating. Interestingly, chemistry wasn鈥檛 my favourite science at school at first, but that changed thanks to some excellent teachers, including Mr Hunter, Mr Cook and Dr Doyle. Their enthusiasm and love for the subject showed me how powerful chemistry can be in explaining the world, and their influence played a big part in sparking the passion I have for the subject today.

Who or what has inspired you to have a role in education?

I have a lot of educators in my family, though I only realised the influence this had on me a few years ago. My dad, while not a teacher, has spent much of his career training electricians, and my mum has worked in palliative care, where part of her role has been training nurses and other medical professionals. Looking back, I can see that their dedication to passing on knowledge and skills was a real inspiration, and it鈥檚 played a big part in shaping my own role in education.

What motivates you?

The chance to inspire young people to help fix the world that previous generations have damaged. I want to instil a passion and a drive for change, and to show them that chemistry holds many of the keys to solving the challenges we face. Seeing students realise the power of science to make a difference is what keeps me motivated every day.

What advice would you give to a young person considering a career in chemistry?

Stay curious and keep asking questions. Chemistry opens doors to so many different careers, from medicine and pharmaceuticals to tackling climate change and developing new technologies. Don鈥檛 be put off if it feels challenging at times - that challenge is part of what makes it so rewarding. If you enjoy problem-solving and want to make a real difference in the world, chemistry will give you the tools to do it.

How can good science education support solving global challenges?

Good science education equips people with the critical thinking skills needed to navigate the world. It creates scientifically literate people who can see through misinformation and disinformation, ask the right questions, and know how and where to fact-check. Beyond knowledge of facts, it鈥檚 about fostering curiosity, resilience, and the ability to make evidence-based decisions - all of which are essential if we鈥檙e to tackle the global challenges we face.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

A real highlight for me has been the privilege of teaching young people, it is genuinely an honour to play a part in their learning and development.

In terms of career milestones, being hired to lead the chemistry team for Oak National Academy stands out. It gave me the chance to leave a lasting mark on chemistry education, designing a curriculum grounded in the University of York鈥檚 Best Evidence Science Teaching research.

The hours of work that went into creating something truly state-of-the-art were made possible by an inspiring and dedicated team, and I鈥檓 proud of what we achieved together.

Who or what has supported you in your career as an educator?

I鈥檝e been very fortunate to have incredible support throughout my career.

My colleagues have always been a huge source of encouragement, and I鈥檓 especially grateful to Jonathon Holden for giving me the opportunity to join my current school, and to Amy Moran for her excellent leadership, mentorship, and friendship.

I also owe a great deal to Nadia Penn-van Eyssen, the former Head of Chemistry at my school, whose guidance and support were invaluable.

On a personal level, my wife Kathryn and my family have been constant sources of encouragement and balance, and I couldn鈥檛 have achieved what I have without them.

Finally for a bit of fun...What is your favourite element?

I wasn鈥檛 surprised to see this question! Magnesium is an easy choice for me as not only is it my initials, but it also does some fascinating chemistry. A student once asked me which element I would be, which was a new one - I joked that perhaps uranium, since being radioactive sounds fun.

However, if I had to pick a true favourite, I think it would be copper. Its compounds and complexes produce some of the most striking blue colours in chemistry, and I鈥檝e always loved showing those to students.