Pippa Coffer

Dr. Pippa Coffer serves as Director of Teaching and Lecturer in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University, leading comprehensive redevelopment of second-year teaching laboratory courses. Her responsibilities include designing pre- and post-laboratory exercises to optimize student learning and developing training programs for graduate teaching assistants.

Her educational background features:

• M.Chem. (Hons.) from Durham University (2004)
• Ph.D. in Chemistry under Dr. Keith Dillon at Durham University (2008)

Dr. Coffer's research centers on low oxidation state phosphorus chemistry, with dual emphases on cyclic triphosphenium ions (investigating stability, reactivity, and coordination behavior) and main group compounds featuring electron-withdrawing 2,5-(CF₃)₂C₆H₃ ligands. Her work employs synthetic, spectroscopic, and computational approaches to elucidate structural and bonding properties in these systems.

Her publication record (2007-2018) demonstrates sustained contributions to phosphorus-based main group chemistry, characterized by collaborative studies using ³¹P NMR spectroscopy, X-ray crystallography, and computational methods. Key themes include the synthesis of novel cyclic phosphorus architectures, investigation of ligand electronic effects, and exploration of transition metal coordination behavior.

Dr. Coffer actively contributes to departmental outreach through the NESIP sixth form project (developing graphene-based student research) and community engagements with primary schools. As Director of Teaching, she spearheads curriculum innovation in undergraduate laboratory instruction while mentoring graduate teaching assistants through structured training programs.

Her collaborative laboratory redevelopment team focuses on modernizing practical chemistry education, and she participates in outreach initiatives extending the department's impact to local schools and community groups.