Brighton professor appointed to chair UK subject benchmark panel for Chemistry

The prestigious appointment will see Professor Ostler - Professor of Chemical Biology in the School of Pharmacy and Biomolecular Sciences - overseeing the setting of standards and scope for degrees in Chemistry across the UK higher education sector, as well as considering issues such as inclusivity and sustainability.

As there is no equivalent to a “national curriculum” for universities, the Quality Assurance Agency for Higher Education deploys Subject Benchmark Statements Advisory Groups that bring together panels of subject specialists to set standards across a huge range of topics, and Professor Ostler is keen to encourage colleagues in other subject areas to respond to the current QAA call for expressions of interest to join the 2021 review panels.

Professor Lizzy Ostler

Prof Ostler said: “The review panel is charged with ensuring that the “Benchmark” reflects the current subject knowledge and skills that are expected of graduates for all kinds of universities and courses. The benchmarks are updated every five years to make sure they are current and relevant. The 2021 panels, for example, have been asked to consider how inclusivity, diversity and sustainability are addressed in each subject.

“I am delighted to have been selected to Chair this process for Chemistry, working with colleagues from other Universities, employers and professional bodies to make sure that Chemistry degree courses continue to be vibrant, creative and relevant for graduates of the future.”

In June 2020, Professor Ostler was elected to lead the Royal Society of Chemistry's Heads of Chemistry, comprising department leaders from around 70 universities. You can see her 2019 professorial lecture exploring chemistry and ageing, entitled 'Not Aged By Time'.