Dr Fraser Scott
Reader
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Personal statement
Fraser obtained an MSci(Hons) and PhD in Chemistry from the University of Strathclyde in 2009 and 2012, respectively. His doctoral studies spanned computational and synthetic medicinal chemistry, and microbiology, focussed on developing Minor Groove Binders as novel anti-infective agents. During this time, Fraser also obtained a BA(Hons) in Mathematics and Statistics, and a BSc(Hons) in Computing with Mathematical Sciences, with the Open University.
Following the completion of his doctorate in 2012, Fraser obtained a PGDE in Chemistry and an MEd in Education studies, whilst embarking on a short career in Secondary School education in Scotland. Fraser then took up a position as an associate lecturer in Mathematics at the Open University, and as an FE lecturer in Chemistry, whilst also completing an MSc in Teaching and Learning in Higher Education.
In 2016, Fraser took up a position as a Senior Lecturer in Organic Chemistry at the University of Lincoln, before moving to the University of Huddersfield as Senior Lecturer in Pharmacology later that year. In 2019, Fraser took up a position as a Chancellor's Fellow at the University of Strathclyde and was promoted to Senior Lecturer in 2021, and Reader in 2024.
Prize And Awards
- RSC Long Service Award
- Recipient
- 10/9/2025
- Fellow of the Royal Society of Biology
- Recipient
- 14/8/2025
- Revalidation of Chartered Science Teacher
- Recipient
- 6/8/2025
- Long-Service Award - 20 Years Membership RSC
- Recipient
- 30/11/2024
- RSC Inspirational Committee Award
- Recipient
- 6/2023
- TechConnect Innovation Awardee (Rostra Therapeutics)
- Recipient
- 1/6/2022
Publications
- Strengthening school-university collaborations
- Thomson Patrick, Wark Alastair, Kennedy Alan, Scott Fraser
- Nature Reviews Chemistry (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1038/s41570-025-00788-2
- Integrating scaffolding and metacognition into titrations : Can a flipped-practical approach encourage thinking and self-reflection?
- Scott Fraser
- (2025)
- Non-formal chemistry learning : a scoping review
- D'Alton Megan J, Thomson Patrick I T, Scott Fraser J
- Chemistry Teacher International Vol 7, pp. 385-409 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2025-0020
- Creative exercises to connect concepts in organic chemistry : Use purposeful prompts to help students make meaningful connections between newly learned and previously covered ideas
- Scott Fraser
- (2025)
- How making mistakes in practicals impacts student engagement : Understand how learners respond to and recover from different types of errors in the chemistry lab to improve student outcomes
- Scott Fraser
- (2025)
- Responses of teachers in Scotland to the reintroduction of the practical project in the advanced higher chemistry curriculum
- Traynor Erin, Scott Fraser J, Thomson Patrick I T
- Chemistry Teacher International Vol 7, pp. 183-193 (2025)
- https://doi.org/10.1515/cti-2024-0073
Research Interests
Fraser's research interests lie within the field of anti-infective drug discovery and STEM education.
Within the context of drug discovery, he is principally focused on developing the novel class of anti-infective agent Strathclyde Minor Groove Binders (S-MGBs) to contribute to global biosecurity threat preparedness. Consequently, his research interests span drug design, chemical synthesis, nucleic acid-ligand interactions and antimicrobial screening, all within the context of bacterial, fungal, parasitic or viral infections.
Fraser has a broad interest in STEM education, heavily informed by his current teaching in HE, and previous experience in Scottish secondary schools as a teacher of chemistry. Current research projects include: the importance of numeracy to STEM education; understanding, and better developing, education of STEM careers in schools and HE; and, enhancing equality, diversity and inclusion in science education.
Fraser welcomes enquiries about post graduate research opportunities in both drug discovery and education research.
Professional Activities
- Train the Trainer: Pedagogy for Practical Chemistry
- Participant
- 27/11/2025
- Dynamic Earth (External organisation)
- Advisor
- 1/10/2025
- Associate Tutor PGDE Chemistry
- Consultant
- 1/9/2025
- Volunteering and the RSC Roundtable
- Participant
- 29/7/2025
- Science communication for chemical science careers
- Speaker
- 17/6/2025
- Importance of Research
- Speaker
- 11/6/2025
Projects
- Tibyan FftF
- Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2026
- Sabah FftF Year 2
- Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2026
- Spectroscopy in an envelope: addressing the equipment drought in rural Scottish schools
- Thomson, Patrick (Principal Investigator) Scott, Fraser (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2026
- Multi-target DNA binding: A novel approach to combat foodborne and AMR bacteria
- Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 31-Jan-2028
- Strathclyde-led Network in Health and Engineering Biology with Thailand
- Majumdar, Apala (Principal Investigator) Chamberlain, Luke (Co-investigator) Scott, Fraser (Co-investigator) Sprick, Seb (Co-investigator)
- 26-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2027
- 25th West of Scotland Meeting for Teachers of Chemistry
- Thomson, Patrick (Principal Investigator) Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator) Wark, Alastair (Principal Investigator)
- Hosted conference, funded with £1200 from the Royal Society of Chemistry
- 16-Jan-2025 - 16-Jan-2025
Contact
Dr
Fraser
Scott
Reader
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Email: fraser.j.scott@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted