Committees
In addition to the ASE Trustees and Education Group, ASE has several dedicated committees and specialist groups. Their expertise and experience forms part of ASE’s voice.
You could also be part of setting the agenda for ASE’s activity in providing professional learning across science education.
Applications OPEN for our next cycle of recruitment
Applications for our committees are now open for successful applicants to take up their role from 1 August 2025. We are seeking applications for all of our committees and you can find more details on all of them, including terms of reference and details of current membership further down this web page.
We are keen to hear from as wide a range of our membership as possible, whether new to ASE or a long-time member, new to science education or just looking to add something to your professional experience. You do not need to have any prior knowledge about working on a committees - we have plenty of people who can guide you and we are happy for new members to take time to get to know everything and everyone, so please don't let that put you off applying!
Our deadline falls just after national volunteering week, on Sunday 8th June. Applications will be reviewed in June and next steps discussed with any shortlisted applicants. Periods of office are for up to three years. Details of each of the committees and groups can be viewed below as well as current membership.
Regional committees
You can find information about our regional committees here.
Our regional committees are representatives of the ASE at the local level and contribute to their communities in a variety of ways and means, helping to shape the future of science education.
Our region chairs would love to hear from you if you might be interested to join or if you would just like to hear more on these and share ideas, you can register your interest at any time, by contacting the Regional Outreach Officer, Melanie Bennett at melaniebennett@ase.org.uk
'Having joined the group in the last two years. I find it a fantastic way to stay connected to like-minded professionals and stay up to date with developments in primary science education.'
Daniel Atkinson, Primary Science Committee
'I joined the group to gain inspiration from like-minded colleagues and for an opportunity to share ideas and expertise.'
Andy Markwick, Primary Science Committee
'I have been a member of the Techs committee for the last two years and have massively enjoyed it. [...]Thank you for an amazing two years; some great fun; some great challenges; and meeting some great people.'
William Hoar, Science Laboratory Technicians Committee
How to get involved
One of the major advantages of membership of ASE is the opportunity to share your expertise with your colleagues. Getting involved with an ASE committee will challenge your strategic thinking and put you at the heart of steering ASE’s direction into the future. ASE calls for nominations every year to elect members to become involved in our governance structure either as a Trustee, part of our Education Group or on our national committees. Members are also asked to vote for their Chair of the Association.
Our committees and groups meet three times a year online.
If you can lend your experience, then please feel free to get in touch info@ase.org.uk.
You can apply to become a member of an ASE Committee or Specialist Group Member here:
If you are unable to complete the online form above, please contact info@ase.org.uk for a copy of the word document version.
Committees
Science Education 11-19 Committee
Chair: Rebecca McCready
This Committee advises and supports teachers of science in secondary schools and colleges on all aspects of the science curriculum, including assessment.
Primary Science Education Committee
Chair: Angharad Pass
This Committee is a dynamic and creative group at the cutting edge of primary science, which seeks to promote best practice in the teaching of science in primary schools.
Science Laboratory Technicians Committee
Chair: Fiona Roberts
This Committee co-ordinates the Association’s activities for its technician members. As well as providing advice and support to technicians.
Research Committee
Chair: Alastair Gittner CSciTeach
This group provides expertise in science education research to inform ASE policy and action, particularly in encouraging a research-based approach to teaching.
Teacher Developers' (formerly Futures) Group
Chair: Co-Chair Claire Seeley, Co-Chair Emily Perry
This expert group provides support and voice for Initial Teacher Education and Continuing professional development, fostering high quality professional learning for future generations of science teachers at all levels of education. You can find more information about this group on the Teacher Developers' Support page.
Quality and Audit Committee
Chair: Nicky Souter
The Quality and Audit Committee (Q&A) was established to ensure that the Association operates to the benefit of the members. In short, it is the members’ voice within ASE.
Health and Safety Group
Chair: Ralph Whitcher
This is an 'expert group' committee that gives advice to members on all matters relating to health and safety in science education. The Group is an authority in the field of best safe practice in practical school science, respected nationally and internationally.
Publications Committee
Chair: Robert Collins
This group is committed to raising the profile of ASE and promoting and supporting membership through its books. Its members make the publishing decisions required to fulfil the responsibility for these resources. For example, it considers proposals from potential authors. An individual group member acts as a link with the author during the preparation of a book. Working together with the ASE publishing staff and within a policy framework, such links ensure that each publication comes up to the high standards of ASE.
Education Group
Chair: Jane Oldham
The Education Group gives advice to The Trustee Body on all aspects of science education. It has representation from all sectors of the science education community, in order to bring expertise to that debate and to formulate actions to take forward the strategic objectives.
Policy Group
Chair: Jane Turner
The ASE Policy Group is a Special Interest Group of the Association for Science Education and is accountable to the Trustees of the ASE, via the Education Group, which is the main Executive Committee of the Association for Science Education (ASE). The main purpose of the Policy Group is to provide strategic guidance, oversight, and recommendations related to advocacy initiatives and policy matters within ASE, with a view to enhancing and improving the ASE’s impact on relevant issues.
Conference Organising Committee
Chair: Ali Redmore
The ASE Conference Organising Group is a Special Interest Group of the Association for Science Education and is accountable to the Trustees of the ASE, via the Education Group, which is the main Executive Committee of the Association for Science Education (ASE). The main purpose of the Group is to advise on the development and implementation of the Association’s Annual Conference and associated activities.