Contact
Biography
Dr Anna Bertram is Director of Laboratory Teaching in the School of Chemistry at the University of Nottingham, where she leads the strategy for practical chemistry education across seven undergraduate modules, supporting around 500 students. Her work focuses on curriculum design, digital learning innovation, and enhancing student experience through evidence-based teaching practices. She leads the Laboratory Development Team, a group of teaching and curriculum-focused staff who collaboratively shape the School's practical provision.
Anna contributes nationally through her roles with the Chemistry Teaching in Practice group, and as a committee member of the Royal Society of Chemistry's (RSC) Chemistry Education research Group. Anna was awarded Fellowship of the RSC in 2023. Her leadership is informed by extensive professional development, including participation in the University's Senior Leadership Programme and the Vice Chancellor's Mentoring Programme. She is a qualified coach and mentor, supporting colleagues across the University and contributing to strategic capacity-building.
Within the University, Anna is committed to citizenship and governance. She is a reviewer for the Advance HE-accredited Nottingham Recognition Scheme, an elected member of the University Senate and the Education & Student Experience Committee, and leads the School's Staff Focus Group. She has also contributed to the Athena Swan/EDI committee, helping to establish a mentoring programme for Postdoctoral Researchers. Her collaborative and consultative leadership style fosters creativity, engagement, and impact across all areas of her work.
Awards and Honours
- Royal Society of Chemistry Team Prize for Excellence in Higher Education (2024) Awarded for dedication to crafting an innovative, skills-focused, digitally-enhanced practical chemistry curriculum that prepares students for a diverse range of careers.
- Lord Dearing Award for Excellence in Teaching and Learning (2023 & 2020) Recognised by the University of Nottingham for outstanding contributions to student learning and the enhancement of the educational experience.
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC) (2023) In recognition of significant contributions to chemical education and leadership.
- Teaching Excellence Award - School of Chemistry, University of Nottingham (2022) For leading the development and delivery of a creative and impactful laboratory skills consolidation programme.
Teaching Summary
Dr Anna Bertram leads the School of Chemistry's Laboratory Development Team (LDT), a group of teaching and curriculum-focused staff who are instrumental in shaping and evolving the practical… read more
Recent Publications
ANDREW NORTCLIFFE, ANNA BERTRAM, CHARLOTTE CLARK, KYLE GALLOWAY and OSCAR SILES BRUGGE, 2025. Can You Escape da Vinci’s Curse? A Chemistry Escape Room for Skills Consolidation Journal of Chemical Education. 102(4), 1572-1581 ANNA BERTRAM and CARMEN TOMAS, 2023. Evaluative judgement – a practitioner’s case in
chemistry research projects Chemistry Education Research and Practice. 24, 312 BERTRAM, A., DAVIES, E. S., DENTON, R., FRAY, M. J., GALLOWAY, K. W., GEORGE, M. W., REID, K. L., THOMAS, N. R. AND WRIGHT, R. R., 2014. From Cook to Chef: Facilitating the Transition from Recipe-driven to Open-ended Research-based Undergraduate Chemistry Lab Activities NEW DIRECTIONS. 10(1), 26-31
Dr Anna Bertram leads the School of Chemistry's Laboratory Development Team (LDT), a group of teaching and curriculum-focused staff who are instrumental in shaping and evolving the practical chemistry curriculum. Her approach to innovation in teaching is rooted in collaboration, drawing on a global network of educators and researchers. She is the University of Nottingham lead for the national Chemistry Teaching in Practice group and serves on the committee of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry Education Research Group, which promotes and disseminates educational research.
Anna has a longstanding interest in chemical education, particularly in developing online teaching and learning resources for laboratories. Her involvement in the Royal Society of Chemistry's Chemistry for Our Future programme led to the creation of The Interactive Lab Primer, a widely used resource in schools and universities that supports the transition from school to university and benefits students throughout their degrees. This work marked the beginning of Nottingham's online provision for laboratory learning, and she has since played a key role in expanding digital resources and implementing online submission and assessment of practical work.
She convenes all laboratory-based modules, including the first-year Study Skills module, which supports students in their transition to university-level learning.
School of Chemistry Responsibilities & Committee Memberships
- Director of Laboratory Teaching.
- School of Chemistry Teaching Strategy Group.
- Exam Board.
- Learning Community Forum.
- Safety and Health Committee.
- Extenuating Circumstances Board.
University Responsibilities & Committee Memberships
- Elected Senate Member.
- Education & Student Experience Committee Member.
- Digital Futures Board Member.
- Nottingham Recognition Scheme Review Panel Member.
- Teaching and Learning Conference Steering Group Member.
- Educational Excellence Group Member.