Julia Sarju

Dr Julia Sarju is a Senior Lecturer in Chemistry Education at the University of York's Department of Chemistry. Her work focuses on inclusive teaching practices, social justice in STEM, and equity in education. She holds roles including Chair of the Board of Examiners (2023-present) and Disability Officer (2018-2023). Her research explores how educational practices can better serve marginalized groups, with a particular emphasis on disability inclusion, chemophobia, and environmental sustainability awareness.

Dr Sarju completed her PhD in Catalysis and has transitioned into chemistry education research. She supervises final-year undergraduate projects addressing themes like inclusive pedagogy, model efficacy in education (e.g., virtual reality vs traditional methods), and curriculum impacts on sustainability understanding. Recent work includes developing accessible online learning resources and co-creating personalized educational content with students.

Her publications emphasize accessibility in laboratory education, policy frameworks for disability inclusion in STEM, and rethinking chemophobia through social justice lenses. She advocates for universal design principles in chemistry teaching and has contributed to NADSN White Papers promoting systemic change. Current interests include leveraging student partnerships to enhance educational equity and advancing inclusive outreach strategies targeting public misconceptions about chemistry.

Dr Sarju has adapted curricula for remote learning during global disruptions, demonstrating commitment to resilient educational systems. She actively engages in departmental equality initiatives and has pioneered projects evaluating how STEM connections influence public attitudes toward environmental issues. Her work bridges catalysis research expertise with modern pedagogical challenges, positioning her as a leader in reimagining science education for broader societal impact.