Dr Simon Parker

Simon is the absolute cornerstone of our practical teaching programme; he brings a rare mix of technical mastery and proactive leadership that truly elevates the entire department.

Jane Grasby, Professor of Biological Chemistry, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

Can you sum up what you do in one sentence?

I manage the Chemistry undergraduate teaching laboratories, which includes the preparation, delivery, and cleanup of the practical experiments, and I manage the staff that help me run the labs and support me during the sessions. 

You were nominated as an inspiration to others, how does it feel to be recognised?

I feel proud. It's nice to feel appreciated and know that my efforts have been noticed and recognised by the colleagues I regularly work alongside.

What part of your work brings you the most pride or joy?

Working with students, seeing them as first years, supporting them as they progress through the undergraduate labs, and watching them develop and improve their skills.  

Simon is particularly supportive of our students and he is a well-liked and approachable figure. I regard him as one of our most valued members of staff in Chemistry.

A colleague, School of Mathematical and Physical Sciences

How does your work create an impact in research, innovation and education?

I suppose the primary impact will be education, teaching a new generation of Chemists, how to be a Chemist. 

They need to learn and develop their practical and analytical thinking skills. It is not just a case of coming in and following the instructions. As they progress, the experiments get more complex and challenging, and they then have a group project in the third year requiring them to work collaboratively towards a shared goal. 

By the time they get to the end of their degrees, they need to be in a position where they can go out and do a job, whether that remains in a Chemistry related area, or if they move on to other things. 

What is one thing about your workspace or role that would surprise people? 

It’s very intense while teaching the undergraduates in the lab — there's a lot to do before, during, and after each lab. 

We have labs most days, if not every day at some points of the year, and everyone works very hard while supporting each other. 

Then in the summer, the work changes focus and can sometimes feel like a different job. There is cleaning, sorting out glassware, servicing and maintaining the equipment, and then if there is time, either myself or the other technicians will help to support the research labs as well. 

Are there any upcoming projects or new technologies that you’re particularly excited to be working on? 

There is a new Central Teaching Laboratory being built in the next few years. We have spent a long time working on the building design and layout. 

Now we know what space we are getting, we are going to have to make a lot of changes in terms of our current experiments, looking at what we deliver and how we deliver it. This presents an exciting opportunity to update and modernise our practical course. 

I recently went to the medical teaching unit in the Perak Labs and looked at their new virtual display tables. I spent a while there seeing whether we could incorporate the technology into our future Chemistry teaching, and help make sure that we are making full use of the facilities that will be in the new Central Teaching Laboratory.