Professor Neil Williams
Faculties, deparments and locations
- Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education
- Penrhyn Road
Director of Undergraduate Studies - Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing
- Email:
- n.a.williams@kingston.ac.uk
About
I am the Interim Associate Dean (Education) for the Faculty of Health, Science, Social Care and Education. Previously, I was interim Associate Dean (Education) (2021-22) and Director of Undergraduate Studies (2016-2021) in the Faculty of Science Engineering and Computing. l have a long-standing commitment to supporting the widening participation, retention and attainment of students from under-represented backgrounds in the chemical sciences and, more broadly, across STEM. A key recent focus has been on developing socially just and inclusive curricula, including decolonisation of the science curriculum. Key achievements have been
- Improved student outcomes by adopting student-centred teaching methods like project-based learning and flipped classrooms.
- Supporting STEM academics across the UK in adopting inclusive and socially just curricula.
- Establishing with other UK colleagues the National Horizons in STEM Higher Education conference programme to promote SoTL in STEM and help enhance the student experience.
- Developing two major student-staff research partnership schemes: a Faculty Summer Undergraduate Research Internship scheme to enhance STEM research skills and a Student Academic Development Research Associate Scheme (SADRAS) focused on pedagogic research.
This work has been recognised by the National Teaching Fellowship (2023), KU Inclusive Curriculum Bursary (2021), Learning Science Teaching Innovation award (2020), Advanced HE Good Practice Grant (2020) and Principal Fellowship of the Education Academy (2018)
I obtained my PhD in surface organometallic chemistry under the supervision of Professor John Evans from the University of Southampton in 1992. Subsequently, I did post-doctoral research in inorganic chemistry and surface chemistry at the National Institute for Materials and Chemical Research, Japan, the University of Sussex, and the University of East Anglia. After a period at the University of Central Lancashire, I joined Kingston University in 1999.
Qualifications
- 2018 Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- 2001 Postgraduate Certificate in Learning and Teaching in Higher Education, Kingston University
- 1993 PhD An In Situ Spectroscopic Investigation of Titania-Supported Rhodium and Ruthenium Organometallics, University of Southampton
- 1989 BSc (Hons) Chemistry, First Class, University of Southampton
Domains
Much of my teaching and work with colleagues focus on improving the retention, progression, and attainment of students from underrepresented and diverse backgrounds. I have instigated a range of schemes to support this aim, such as our Support for Academic Progression Programme, Summer Undergraduate Research Internships, and the Student Academic Development Research Associate Scheme. Integral to a range of my initiatives has been an evaluation of the impact of the projects on awarding gaps and graduate outcomes.
My teaching philosophy and practice are based on a constructivist theoretical framework focused on developing and using Active Learning methods. These approaches align closely with my focus on addressing award gaps; research has shown that they favour all students, but students from under-represented backgrounds benefit the most. In 2005, I was an early adopter of a blended learning/Flipped classroom approach to teaching inorganic chemistry. The positive impact and student satisfaction and outcomes have been published. This approach is still used in the Chemistry degree programme, and I have supported other staff across the faculty to implement such an approach, most recently in the revalidation of engineering degree programmes in 2018.
More recently, informed by the university's inclusive curriculum framework, I replaced a lecture series in a first-year chemistry module with a Project-Based Learning approach, where students are encouraged to co-create the curriculum. In addition, I provided a range of online resources to support students' laboratory practical skills and developed smart worksheets to help students in their laboratory assessments. This improved average module marks and helped close a module awarding gap. The work was recognised by a Learning Science Teaching Innovation Award in 2020.
A current learning and teaching interest is promoting discussions on "decolonising the science curriculum" across the UK through the work of the Creative Curriculum Collective based in Bristol. Since 2020, I have helped facilitate discussions and share some of my work on the topic at the Universities of Leeds, Keele, Bristol, Edinburgh Napier, Warwick, Aberdeen, Kings College London, St Andrews and Exeter, as well as an Advance HE LTHE chat. In addition, since 2020, I have given seminars at Universities of Central Lancashire, Liverpool, York, Edinburgh, Dundee, Sussex, Newcastle and UCL on inclusive curricula for Chemistry. I successfully gained an Advance HE Good Practice Grant to develop materials to support this CPD, available on the AdvanceHE website.
I have taken a learning-teaching pathway in my career, and I aim to do as much as I can to develop pedagogic practices in other STEM staff both within my institution and beyond. I have achieved this by supporting them to experiment with their teaching and assessment based on evidence-informed practice.
Qualifications
- Active learning
- Inclusive curricula and decolonising the science curriculum
- Student staff partnership schemes
Courses taught
In the last decade, my research has been focused on surface chemistry, particularly the use of silicon-based chemistry to introduce chemical functionality onto inorganic and polymer surfaces as part of a number of successful PhD completions such as:
- Immobilisation of palladium carbene complexes on silica surfaces and their application in heterogeneous catalysis (Dr Leon Whiteman)
- Fluorination of medical-grade polymethylmethacrylate for use in intraocular lenses (Dr Navid Shokri)
- Modification of polyurethane with graphene and hydrophobic silica-based solution for the development of wind turbine surface coatings (Arash Dashtkar)
Previous research focused on ligand synthesis (e.g., N-heterocyclic carbenes) and application to homogeneous and asymmetric catalysis.
In addition, I have a long-standing interest in evaluation and pedagogic research in the STEM area. Recent work has focused on practices that close BME awarding gaps.
Specialisms
- Closing BME attainment gaps
- Surface Chemistry
- Organometallic Chemistry
Professional and scholarly affiliations
- Member of the Royal Society of Chemistry Education Division Council
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry
- Principal Fellow of Higher Education Academy
In my role as Director of Undergraduate Studies within the Faculty of Science, Engineering and Computing is focused on
- Improving the student experience
- Enhancing Learning, Teaching and Assessment practice
- Developing an inclusive curriculum
- Closing award gaps
- Improving retention
- Raising graduate outcomes
- Supporting quality assurance and enhancement
University responsibilities
- SADRAS Steering Group
- Student Surveys Group
- NSS task force
- Chairing Internal Subject Reviews and Validation Panels
- Chairing University Kingston Academic Practice Scheme (KAPS) and Introduction to Learning and Teaching (ILT) panels
Public and Civic roles
- Chair of Governors for Coombe Federation of Schools, New Malden, Kingston upon Thames
Publications
Performance of polyurethane and polyurethane nanocomposites modified by graphene, carbon nanotubes, and fumed silica in dry and wet environments
Zweiri, Feras, Williams, Neil A. and Hadavinia, Homayoun, 2024, Polymers and Polymer Composites (32)
Using an inclusive curriculum framework to address an awarding gap in a first-year chemistry module
Williams, Neil A., 2022, Journal of Chemical Education (99), 1, pp 171-176
Graphene/sol–gel modified polyurethane coating for wind turbine blade leading edge protection : properties and performance
Dashtkar, Arash, Johansen, Nicolai Frost-Jensen, Mishnaevsky, Jr, Leon, Williams, Neil A, Hasan, Shadi W, Wadi, Vijay S, Silvello, Alessio and Hadavinia, Homayoun, 2022, Polymers and Polymer Composites (30)
An investigation of students' views on decolonising the science curriculum
Williams, Neil Anthony and Benjamin, Audrey, 2022, Compass: Journal of Learning and Teaching (15), 1
Nanoengineered graphene-reinforced coating for leading edge protection of wind turbine blades
Frost-Jensen Johansen, Nicolai, Mishnaevsky, Leon, Dashtkar, Arash, Williams, Neil A., Fæster, Søren, Silvello, Alessio, Cano, Irene Garcia and Hadavinia, Homayoun, 2021, Coatings (11), 9, pp 1104
Quantifying damping coefficient and attenuation at different frequencies for graphene modified polyurethane by drop ball test
Dashtkar, Arash, Hadavinia, Homayoun, Barros-Rodriguez, Jose, Williams, Neil A., Turner, Matthew and Vahid, Samireh, 2021, Polymer Testing (100), pp 107267
Sulfur hexafluoride (SF₆) plasma treatment of medical grade poly(methyl methacrylate)
Zanini, Stefano, Papagni, Antonio, Vaghi, Luca, Thatti, Baljit Kaur, Barton, Stephen, Williams, Neil, Shokri, Navid and Riccardi, Claudia, 2020, Coatings (10), 2, pp 135
Rain erosion-resistant coatings for wind turbine blades : a review
Dashtkar, Arash, Hadavinia, Homayoun, Sahinkaya, M Necip, Williams, Neil, Vahid, Samireh, Ismail, Fanya and Turner, Matthew, 2019, Polymers and Polymer Composites (27), 8, pp 443-475
An evaluation of a STEM summer undergraduate research internship scheme : student-perceived learning gains
Williams, Neil, Hussain, Humma, Manojkumar, Pinali and Thapa, Asim, 2016, New Directions in the Teaching of Physical Sciences (11), 1
The application of high resolution diffusion NMR for the characterisation and quantification of small molecules in saliva/dentifrice slurries
Le Gresley, Adam, Simpson, Emma, Sinclair, Alex, Williams, Neil, Burnett, Gary, Bradshaw, David and Lucas, Robert, 2015, Analytical Methods (7), 6, pp 2323
The synthesis and characterisation of immobilised palladium carbene complexes and their application to heterogeneous catalysis
Tyrrell, Elizabeth, Whiteman, Leon and Williams, Neil, 2011, Journal of Organometallic Chemistry (696), 22, pp 3465-3472
Synthesis of Silver (I) Complexes of Iminoalkyl Functionalised N-Heterocyclic Carbenes
Williams, Neil, Merzouk, Mahboub and Hitchcock, Peter B, 2010, International Journal of Inorganic Chemistry (2010), pp 1-5
A comparative evaluation of fluoridated and non-fluoridated mouthrinses using a 5-day cycling enamel erosion model
Venasakulchai, Anan, Williams, Neil A., Gracia, Louise H. and Rees, Gareth D., 2010, Journal of Dentistry (38), Suppleme, pp S21-S29
Sonogashira Cross-Coupling Reactions and Construction of the Indole Ring System Using a Robust, Silica-Supported Palladium Catalyst
Tyrrell, E, Whiteman, L and Williams, N, 2009, Synthesis (2009), 5, pp 829-835
Improving student achievement and satisfaction by adopting a blended learning approach to inorganic chemistry
Williams, NA, Bland, W and Christie, G, 2008, Chemistry Education Research And Practice (9), 1, pp 43-50
Synthesis of amidoalkyl imidazol-2-ylidene ligands and their application to enantioselective copper-catalysed conjugate addition
Moore, T, Merzouk, M and Williams, N, 2008, Synlett (2008), 1, pp 21-24
A study into asymmetric Nicholas cyclisation reactions
Tyrrell, Elizabeth, Millett, Julien, Tesfsa, Kibur Hunie, Williams, Neil, Mann, Alastair, Tillett, Caroline and Muller, Christophe, 2007, Tetrahedron (63), 51, pp 12769-12778
Synthesis of chiral iminoalkyl functionalised N-heterocyclic carbenes and their use in asymmetric catalysis
Merzouk, Mahboub, Moore, Theo and Williams, Neil A., 2007, Tetrahedron Letters (48), 50, pp 8914-8917
Palladium or platinum complex catalysed reactions of carbonyl and imine compounds with disilanes
Williams, Neil A., Uchimaru, Yuko and Tanaka, Masato, 2003, Dalton Transactions (24), 2, pp 236-243
A reflection-absorption infrared spectroscopy (RAIRS) investigation of the low-temperature heterogenous hydrolysis of bromine nitrate
Gane, Matt P., Williams, Neil A. and Sodeau, John R., 2001, Journal of Physical Chemistry A (105), 16, pp 4002-4009
An ab initio and experimental study of bromine on low-temperature water clusters and ice surfaces
Ramondo, Fabio, Sodeau, John R., Roddis, Tristan B. and Williams, Neil A., 2000, Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (2), 10, pp 2309-2318
Mechanism of the heterogenous reaction of hydrogen chloride with chlorine nitrate and hypochlorous acid on water ice
Horn, Andrew B., Sodeau, John R., Roddis, Tristan B. and Williams, Neil A., 1998, The Journal of Physical Chemistry Part A : Molecules, Spectroscopy, Kinetics, Environment and General Theory (102), 30, pp 6107-6120
Low temperature reaction of chlorine nitrate with water ice: Formation of molecular nitric acid
Horn, Andrew B., Sodeau, John R., Roddis, Tristan B. and Williams, Neil A., 1998, Journal of the Chemical Society: Faraday Transactions (94), 12, pp 1721-1724
Reflection-absorption IR spectroscopic investigation of the photolysis of thin films of dichlorine monoxide and chlorine dioxide
Gane, Matt P., Williams, Neil A. and Sodeau, John R., 1997, Journal of the Chemical Society: Faraday Transactions (93), 16, pp 2747-2754
Platinum Catalysed Regioselective ortho-Silylation of Benzylideneamines via Intramolecular C-H Activation
Williams, Neil, Tanaka, Masato and Uchimaru, Yuko, 1995, Chemical Communications (11), pp 1129-1130
Engaging students in a research internship scheme and its impact on the graduate outcomes of BME interns
Williams, Neil and Jones, Lucy (2018). In: Atherton, Graeme, (eds.), Kendall, Steve, (eds.), Naughton, Michael, (eds.) and Webster, Martin, (eds.), Widening access throughout the student lifecycle. Cambridge, U.K.: Cambridge Scholars Publishing, pp 149-169
Enhancing the impact of chemistry outreach by use of selected, repeated interventions and collaborative university provision
Williams, Neil (2012). In: Grove, Michael, (ed.), Sharing effective practice through collaboration: Case Studies arising from the National HE STEM Programme Collaborative Projects Initiative. Birmingham, U.K.: The National HE STEM Programme, pp 31-33
Compounds containing a Spiro Phosphorus Atom
Williams, N.A. (2008). In: Katritzky, A.R., (eds.), Ramsden, C.R., (eds.), Scriven, E.F.V., (eds.) and Taylor, R.J.K., (eds.), Comprehensive Heterocyclic Chemistry III. london: Elseveir, pp 1065-1126
Doubly bonded metalloid functions (Si, Ge, B)
Williams, N.A. (2005). In: Katritsky, Alan R, (eds.) and Taylor, Richar J K, (eds.), Comprehensive Organic Functional Group Transformations II. Oxford: Elsevier, pp 543-549
Doubly bonded metal functions
Williams, N.A. (2005). In: Katritzky, Alan R, (eds.) and Taylor, Richard J K, (eds.), Comprehensive Organic Functional Group Transformations II. Elsevier, pp 551-571
Doubly bonded metalloid functions
Williams, N.A. (2005). In: Katritsky, A.R., (eds.) and Taylor, R.J.K., (eds.), Comprehensive Organic Functional Group Transformations II. Oxford, U.K.: Elsevier, pp 543-550
Embedding future skills in STEM undergraduate programmes
Page, Nigel and Williams, Neil(2024). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference : Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 26-27 Jun 2024 :Bristol, U.K.
It's good to talk : how are we collaboratively designing a new school wide curriculum?
Wason, Hilary, Thatti, Baljit, Spendiff, Owen, Forster-Wilkins, Gary, Page, Nigel, Dorak, Mehmet, Williams, Neil, Reid, Tamara and Brasilero, Gabriela(2024). In: Festival of Learning 2024, 20 Jun 2024 :Kingston upon Thames, U.K.
Identifying good practice in the scholarship of teaching and learning within the HE workforce
Collins, Trevor, Butler, Diane, Gretton, Sarah and Williams, Neil(2022). In: Advance HE Teaching and Learning Conference 2022: Teaching in the spotlight: Where next for enhancing student success?, 05 - 07 Jul 2023 :Newcastle upon Tyne, U.K.
Suggestions for decolonising the science curriculum
Williams, Neil(2022). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 2022, 29-30 Jun 2022 :London, U.K.
The use of an Inclusive Curriculum Framework to close a BAME module award gap
Williams, Neil(2021). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 29 - 30 Jun 2021 :Milton Keynes, U.K. (Held online)
Decolonising the science curriculum : potential actions and a case study
Williams, Neil(2021). In: Decolonising the Science Curriculum, 17 Mar 2023 :Edinburgh, U.K.
An investigation into science students' views on decolonising the curriculum
Williams, N.A. and Benjamin, A.(2020). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 01 - 02 Jul 2020 :Nottingham, U.K. (Held Online)
Exploring differential attainment by assessment type in mathematics, chemistry and life sciences
Denholm-Price, James, Page, Nigel, Williams, Neil and Dourado, Luis(2019). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference : Making Connections and Sharing Pedagogy, 03 - 04 July 2019 :Kingston-upon-Thames, U.K.
The implementation and preliminary evaluation of project-based learning in a first year environmental chemistry module
Williams, Neil(2019). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 2019: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 03 - 04 Jul 2019 :Kingston upon Thames, U.K.
Addressing the BME attainment gap : exploring differential attainment by assessment type in mathematics, chemistry and life sciences
Denholm-Price, James, Page, Nigel, Williams, Neil and Tojal Dourado, Luis(2018). In: CETL-MSOR 2018 : Evidencing Excellence in the Mathematical Sciences, 05 - 06 Sep 2018 :Glasgow, U.K.
Changing student opinion of flipped learning
Williams, Neil(2018). In: Variety in Chemistry Education / Physics Higher Education Conference 2018, 23 - 24 Aug 2018 :Sheffield, U.K.
What do students think of active learning?
Williams, Neil(2018). In: 3rd Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference : Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 28 - 29 Jun 2018 :Hull, U.K.
Widening access throughout the student lifecycle
Atherton, Graeme, Twigg-Flesner, Anke, Crockford, Julian, Williams, Neil and Rainford, John(2017). In: British Educational Research Association (BERA) Annual Conference 2017, 05-07 Sep 2017 :Brighton, U.K.
Teaching and assessment of good laboratory technique: pre-lab activities and digital badging
Williams, Neil, Singer, Richard and Shearman, Gemma(2017). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 2017: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, 29-30 Jun 2017 :Edinburgh, U.K.
Evaluation of a STEM summer undergraduate research internship scheme- variations between disciplines
Williams, Neil, Thapa, Asim, Hussain, Humma and Manojkumar, Pinali(2016). In: Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 2016: Making Connections and Sharing Pedagogy, 30 Jun - 01 Jul 2016 :Leicester, U.K.
The BME attainment gap in chemical sciences - does the use of assessment criteria contribute to the gap?
Williams, Neil(2015). In: Variety in Chemistry Education Physics Higher Education Conference (ViCEPHEC) 2015, 20-21 Aug 2015 :Nottingham, U.K.
Staff and students working as partners in STEM and pedagogic research
Williams, Neil, Aziz, Faiz, Abedhin, Araphath, Khan, Anhar and Rahman, Aminur(2014). In: HEA STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2014, 30 Apr – 01 May 2014 :Edinburgh, U.K.
Improving progression in STEM with an Academic Probation Programme
Williams, Neil, Morgan, Holly and Lambe, Simon(2014). In: HEA STEM Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2014, 30 Apr – 01 May 2014 :Edinburgh, U.K.
The student academic development research associate scheme - engaging stem students and academics as partners in pedagogic research
Williams, Neil, Hill, Mike, Jackson, Marcus T. and Elliott-Bowman, Joy(2013). In: HEA STEM: Annual Learning and Teaching Conference 2013: Where Practice and Pedagogy Meet, 17-18 Apr 2013 :Birmingham, U.K.
Replacing lectures with study packs: a method to improve student engagement and achievement
Williams, Neil(2013). In: HEA STEM: Lectures without Lecturing, 21 Feb 2013 :Sheffield, U.K.
Developing the chemistry workforce of the future including industrial engagement initiatives - from the RSC
Onions, Rosalind, Evans, Marie, Pugh, Samantha and Williams, Neil(2012). In: National HE STEM Programme Conference, 4-6 September 2012 :Birmingham University
Addressing research informed teaching in and out of the curriculum
Williams, Neil and Lambe, Gillian(2012). In: Variety in Chemistry Education and Physics Higher Education Conference, 30-31 Aug 2012 :Edinburgh, U.K.
BME attainment and success: research and beyond
May, Steve, Webb, Marion and Williams, Neil(2012). In: Educational Research Forum, 15 Jun 2012 :Kingston upon Thames, U.K.
The Synthesis and Evaluation of Silica-Supported Palladium bis-N-Aryl Substituted imidazol-2-ylidene Complexes
Williams, Neil, Whiteman, Leon and TYRRELL, Elizabeth(2010). In: 24th International Conference on Organometallic Chemistry (ICOMC), July 18-23, 2010 :Taipei, Taiwan
Erosion Protection by Mouthrinses in a 5-Day Cycling Model
Venasakulchai, Anan, Williams, Neil, Gracia, Lucy H and Rees, Gareth(2010). In: International Association of Dental Research Conference, August 2010 :Barcelona, Spain
Silica-Supported Bis-N-Heterocyclic Carbene Complexes of Palladium and their Application in Cross-Coupling Reactions
Tyrrell, Elizabeth, Whiteman, Leon and Williams, Neil(2009). In: ISHHC XIV International Symposium on Relations between Homogeneous and Heterogeneous Catalysis, July 2009 :Stockholm, Sweden
Novel Chiral N-Heterocyclic Carbene Ligands for Copper-Catalysed Conjugate Addition
Williams, Neil and Merzouk, Mahboub(2005). In: 13th IUPAC International Symposium on Organometallic Chemistry Directed Towards Organic Synthesis (OMCOS), 2005 :Geneva, Switzerland
Synthesis and evaluation of (imino-alkyl)imidazolylidene ligands in asymmetric catalysis
Williams, Neil and Merzouk, Mahboub(2004). In: 5th International Symposium on Transition Metals in Organic Synthesis, 15-17 September 2004 :Glasgow, Scotland
Gallery of work
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Learning Science Ltd Teaching Innovation Award winner 2020
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4th Horizons in STEM Higher Education Conference 2019: Making Connections, Innovating and Sharing Pedagogy, chaired by Dr Neil Williams Kingston University
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National Teaching Fellowship award ceremony 2023
Collecting my National teaching Fellowship award from AdvanceHE
