University of Birmingham expert awarded prestigious Institute of Physics Medal & Prize

The internationally-renowned prize is awarded for Dan's exceptional contribution to physics education. Dan works in both the School of Education and the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Birmingham. His work directly addresses the national shortage of secondary physics teachers by linking teacher training in the subject with widening participation in university physics and pioneering a whole life-cycle approach to addressing issues of inclusion.  

In 2018 Dan moved from a successful career as a physics teacher and head of science in a secondary school to a new role at the University of Birmingham. This unique role is shared between the Schools of Education and Physics & Astronomy and was created to address the well-known problems of diversity in physics and physics teacher recruitment and retention. 

He went onto develop the role far beyond what was imagined possible. In all instances, he has ensured that we widen the physics pipeline to be more diverse and inclusive. When Dan Cottle joined the University in 2018 there were 5 trainee physics teachers, now this number has more than tripled despite a decreasing national trend.

Dan said: “I feel amazed and honoured to receive this award. I am grateful to the University of Birmingham for creating and supporting my unique role, the Institute of Physics for their commitment to inclusivity in physics and to everyone in the physics education community who is working to improve the quality of physics education and widen access to physics for young people from a diverse range of backgrounds. This recognition is inspiring and I hope to continue making a meaningful contribution to physics education in teaching and research.”

His endeavours to widen access to physics for young people and create more diversity within the field include establishing a fully funded foundation year, through philanthropic funding, that supports access for those without traditional qualifications. He has created innovative modules to ensure that professional networks are established for these students and they can access the same career opportunities as their peers. Dan leads, on behalf of the UK physics community, the “Levelling Up” physics outreach programme (the Birmingham cohort was 50% BAME) and works closely with the other disciplinary hub leads at Durham University and the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications and the London Mathematical Society. 

An Associate Professor at the University, Dan Cottle creates and delivers learning opportunities for physics teachers, enabling professional development communities for ongoing peer support. He has been a Teaching and Learning Coach on the Stimulating Physics Network project (Institute of Physics), and an Ogden Trust Teacher Fellow. He designs, including for non-specialist teachers, innovative ways to teach real-world concepts such as energy efficiency. He acts as a consultant with schools and multi-academy trusts on improvement to support pupil learning in physics. 

He regularly collaborates and shares learning with the physics education community through publications (Physics Education and School Science Review) and presentations at conferences such as VICEPhEC, GIREP, BERA and ASE.  

Meanwhile, at a national policy level Dan advises the UK government Department for Education on physics education including two expert working groups where his unique perspective combines an integrated understanding of educational research, physics education and practical experience of education. 

Congratulating this year’s Award winners, Institute of Physics President, Professor Sir Keith Burnett said; “On behalf of the Institute of Physics, I want to congratulate all of this year’s award winners.

“Today’s world faces many challenges which physics will play an absolutely fundamental part in addressing, whether it’s securing the future of our economy or the transition to sustainable energy production and net zero. Our award winners are in the vanguard of that work and each one has made a significant and positive impact in their profession, whether as a researcher, teacher, industrialist, technician or apprentice ‘I hope they are incredibly proud of their achievements, they really should be.

“There is so much focus today on the opportunities generated by a career in physics and the potential our science has to transform our society and economy and I hope the stories of our winners will help to inspire future generations of scientists."