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 for our next cycle of recruitment
We open applications from members to any of our groups listed below that have vacancies in the new year. Applications are usually reviewed in June with successful applicants taking up their role on a committee from the 1 August. 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 participants.
Regional committees
You can find information about our regional committees here.
'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 either virutally or face to face.
If you can lend your experience, then please feel free to get in touch info@ase.org.uk.
When applications are next opened (early 2025), 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: Wendy Pearmain
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
Co Chairs: Angharad Pass & Helen Spring CSciTeach
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: Jane Oldham RSciTech
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: David Allen
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
Co-Chairs: Dr Leigh Hoath / Dr Alex Sinclair
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
This is a new group to which we are recruiting. Deadline date 7th June 2024. Please use the application form further up the page.
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.