Mumbai based Professor Savita Ladage from Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, has been named winner of the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Nyholm Prize for Education in recognition of contributions to Chemistry education. Professor Ladage also receives £5000, a medal and a certificate. 

 Based at Homi Bhabha Centre for Science Education, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Professor Ladage won the prize for enthusiastically advocating the importance of Chemical education through mentoring Chemistry educators and initiating teacher and student programmes that promote Chemistry education in India. The winner joins a prestigious list of past winners in the Royal Society of Chemistry’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough.  

After receiving the prize, Professor Ladage said, “I feel deeply honoured to receive this prize and recognition in the community of individuals who are doing work in the area of chemistry education. I am thankful to the RSC for the same. The award and recognition motivated me further to continue my work with greater zeal and enthusiasm. I am passionate about chemistry education in general.” 

Ms. Savita is passionate about teaching and learning Chemistry. She interacts with Chemistry students and teachers, especially at undergraduate level. One of her main interests has been Chemistry lab education and helping students to make observations more carefully and critically. She designs experiments and highlights the associated procedures, difficulties and errors involved and the data. Savita wants to change the perception of students and teachers of chemistry lab education.  Her hobby is writing articles about different topics in Chemistry, particularly the periodic table and the challenges involved in teaching and learning Chemistry. 

 The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Prizes portfolio is one of the oldest and most prestigious in the world, recognising achievements by individuals, teams and organisations in advancing the chemical sciences. The Excellence in Education Prizes celebrate inspirational, innovative, and dedicated people working in primary, secondary, further education and higher education – including teachers, technicians and more. These prizes recognise a wide range of skills – from curriculum design to effective teaching, and from personal development to working culture. This category includes specific prizes for teams and for those in the early stages of their career. 

 “The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet. 

“Professor Ladage’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to Chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution,” remarked Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry.