Professor Debra Willison
Research Professor
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Personal statement
Personal statement
Current Responsibilities Deputy Associate Principal (Online Learning and Teaching) 2022- present
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Prize And Awards
- Strathclyde Medal
- Recipient
- 11/10/2022
- Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Recipient
- 2016
- Ist Prize Poster
- Recipient
- 2014
- Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Recipient
- 2013
- Most Supportive Teacher Award
- Recipient
- 2012
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Recipient
- 2008
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Publications
- Navigating widening access : institutional approaches to contextual admissions in undergraduate chemistry in Scotland
- Willison Debra, Sykes Laureen, Scott Fraser J
- RSC Sustainability (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1039/d6su90030e
- Micro-CPD in higher education : enhancing engagement and well-being through bite-sized professional development
- Morrissey Sean, Willison Debra, Hasan Ashkanani Nasreen
- Innovations in Education and Teaching International (2026)
- https://doi.org/10.1080/14703297.2026.2620542
- Micro-CPD: Evaluation of effectiveness and impact on best practice and the student experience
- Morrissey Sean, Willison Debra
- SEDA Scholarship and Research Online Event (2026)
- Retraction of “The Chemistry Clinic: Authentic Assessment in a Student Led Environment”
- Willison Debra
- Journal of Chemical Education Vol 101, pp. 2703-2709 (2024)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c01319
- Reflections on developing a collaborative multi-disciplinary approach to embedding education for sustainable development into higher education curricula
- Logan Louise, Strachan Scott, Willison Debra, Bain Roderick, Roberts Jen, Mitchell Iain, Yarr Roderick
- Emerald Open Research Vol 1 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1108/EOR-09-2023-0007
- ChemDiverse : a chemistry careers activity showcasing diversity
- R. Velasquez Sara T, Nimmo Roslyn, Pookayil Teena, Lydon Christopher, Willison Debra, Scott Fraser J
- Journal of Chemical Education Vol 100, pp. 3881-3887 (2023)
- https://doi.org/10.1021/acs.jchemed.3c00355
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Research Interests
My research interests centre on the enhancement of learning and teaching within the following areas of focus:
- Student Transitions in Higher Education
- Students as Partners in Academic Development
- Personal Development Planning
- Employability
- Widening Participation
Previously, my research profile centred on the synthesis of ferrocene derivatives and metal carbonyl complexes and their use as chiral auxiliaries in asymmetric synthesis.
Professional Activities
- Celebrating excellence in learning and teaching at Strathclyde (CELTS): Annual Learning and Teaching Day 2025
- Organiser
- 19/6/2025
- Micro-CPD: Evaluation of effectiveness and impact
- Speaker
- 28/11/2024
- Faculty of Science Day Conference for Administrative and Professional Services & Technical Services Staff
- Speaker
- 20/11/2024
- Building Better Futures
- Member of programme committee
- 11/11/2024
- The WELLChem project: mental health, anxiety, and the chemistry laboratory
- Contributor
- 29/8/2024
- Chemistry for All Grant Holders Seminar
- Participant
- 25/7/2024
Projects
- Education for Sustainable Development
- Morrissey, Sean (Principal Investigator) Morse, Tracy (Co-investigator) Willison, Debra (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2025 - 30-Jan-2027
- A Scottish study on entry requirements and attainment for students from deprived backgrounds
- Willison, Debra (Principal Investigator) Kelly, Louise (Co-investigator) Stewart, Ryan (Co-investigator) Burns, Nathan (Researcher)
- 01-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2025
- Micro-CPD: Evaluation of effectiveness and impact on best practice and the student experience
- Willison, Debra (Principal Investigator) Morrissey, Sean (Principal Investigator)
- SEDA Research and Evaluation Small Grants 2024 (£1000)
- 01-Jan-2024 - 01-Jan-2025
- Micro-CPD: Evaluation of effectiveness and impact on best practice and the student experience
- Willison, Debra (Principal Investigator) Morrissey, Sean (Co-investigator)
- 20-Jan-2024 - 31-Jan-2025
- A Scottish perspective on the barriers to progression into, and through, Chemistry HE for those from deprived backgrounds
- Willison, Debra (Principal Investigator) Scott, Fraser (Principal Investigator)
- 04-Jan-2023 - 03-Jan-2024
- Student Mental Health and Anxiety as a Hidden Disability in UK Chemistry Labs
- Thomson, Patrick (Principal Investigator) Scott, Fraser (Co-investigator) Willison, Debra (Co-investigator)
- 01-Jan-2023 - 31-Jan-2025
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Contact
Professor
Debra
Willison
Research Professor
Pure and Applied Chemistry
Email: d.willison@strath.ac.uk
Tel: Unlisted