Knighthood for National STEM Director

Professor John Holman, National STEM Director and Director of the National Science Learning Centre, is awarded a knighthood in New Year Honours list.

"I'm delighted; it's an enormous personal honour and somewhat overwhelming. But more importantly I think that it's a recognition of the importance of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics to the future of the UK and to the lives of millions of young people."

Sir John studied natural sciences at Cambridge University, going on to teach chemistry in a number of secondary schools. He also worked as a writer and science education specialist, directing Science and Technology in Society (SATIS), Salters Advanced Chemistry, Science across the World and other national and international projects.

After six years as headmaster of Watford Grammar School for Boys, in 2000 he came to the University of York as Salters Professor of Chemical Education, founding the National Science Learning Centre in 2004. In 2006, he also became the first national director of Science, Technology, Engineering and Mathematics (STEM) for the government, with responsibility for overseeing the implementation of the STEM Programme Report, a post Sir John refers to as 'conducting an orchestra of groups inside and outside the government' where the sole motive is STEM education. In 2008 Sir John founded the National STEM Centre, funded by the Gatsby Charitable Foundation, to take forward this important work.

"We're in difficult economic times but it's quite clear that one thing this country is very good at is science and technology - but we need to maintain that and build on the strength of that as the core of a future economic strategy."

Sir John has a wide interest in the teaching of science at all levels, from primary to undergraduate. He is author or editor of nearly twenty science textbooks at school and undergraduate level, including Salters Advanced Chemistry and Nuffield Advanced Chemistry, and more recent work includes directing the development of Twenty First Century Science, an innovative course for 14 to 16 year old students which emphasises scientific literacy. His specific interests include curriculum development, context-led science curricula, scientific literacy, ICT in science teaching, public awareness of science and the professional development of science teachers.