Expert in the teaching of chemistry who re-wrote most of the Scottish curriculum

Born: October 17, 1930;

Died: December 1, 2017

PROFESSOR Alex Johnstone, who has died aged 87, was a professor in chemistry at Glasgow University and an internationally recognised expert in the research methods associated with the teaching of chemistry and related subjects. Earlier in his career, he re-wrote most of the curriculum in the subject for schools in Scotland and several accompanying textbooks that influenced school chemistry teaching for a generation.

He was born Alex Henry Johnstone in Edinburgh and brought up in Leith. At university he studied chemistry, physics, maths, botany and biblical studies, graduating with a first-class honours degree in chemistry from Edinburgh University.

Following teacher training and national service, he taught at George Watson’s College, Edinburgh, and later as the principal teacher of chemistry at the High School of Stirling. He re-wrote the chemistry curriculum while at Stirling, working with the late T.I. Morrison. Thereafter, he had a pivotal role in introducing sixth year studies in science subjects throughout Scotland. During this time, he was also a principal examiner with the Scottish Examination Board and obtained a PhD in chemistry from Glasgow University, while continuing to run the department in Stirling.

Given his obvious academic ability, he was appointed as a lecturer in chemistry at the University of Glasgow. Within a short period, he was promoted through the posts of senior lecturer and reader to professor in inorganic chemistry. He was the founding director of the Centre for Science Education, an internationally renowned centre for education research, and later the founding director of the Teaching and Learning Service, that aimed to enhance teaching skills across the university. In association with this, he was appointed to a new post created specifically for him, Professor of Science Education.

His university career of almost 30 years was spent undertaking and directing research in the teaching and learning of chemistry and related subjects. He authored over 200 research papers, eight books, and 11 invited book chapters, in addition to a wide range of other teaching materials. He was a world figure in chemistry education, giving numerous conference presentations, lecture tours and consultancies. He was also president of the Education Division, Royal Society of Chemistry, and vice president of the Royal Society of Chemistry, London.

He supervised over 80 doctoral students. The projects they undertook all fitted together coherently into a sustained programme of research with a steady flow of research publications. Most of his doctoral students came from overseas where universities and governments were supporting educational research with research scholarships. His impact was truly international and his many students still reflect fondly on their memories of a great intellect who never lost his sense of humour, with caring and empathy. Throughout, he argued strongly that educational research must be undertaken by practising teachers and related to the practicalities of teaching and learning, and for this reason, he continued to teach inorganic chemistry while researching the learning of chemistry.

His work was recognised nationally and internationally, with medals, awards, and invited lecture tours, including: The Nyholm Medal of the Royal Society of Chemistry (1979); The Mellor Medal of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1987); The Illuminati Gold Medal of the Italian Chemical Society (1991); The Verhagen Titular Chair of the University of Limburg, Belgium (1992); The Brasted Medal of the American Chemical Society (1996); The FECS Lecture of the Federation of European Chemical Societies (1997); The Galen 2000 Lectureship, The Republic of Ireland (2000); and American Chemical Society Award (2009).

Outside his work, he possessed many interests. These included his skills in French and German, his love of walking and climbing, together with his interests in history, botany, and geology. He shared his wider interests with many a student group. He loved choral singing and was also a lay-preacher in his local church, his earlier Biblical training at Edinburgh University being brought into use.

He was a brilliant, inspirational teacher, with a deep empathy for the learner, especially the struggling learner. He brought these skills into his teaching with Christian groups and large numbers benefitted from the incisive clarity of his insights and his deep sense of spiritual reality and academic rigour.

As his sons, ‘our Dad’ was just that; an unassuming, highly supportive and loving father with what appeared to be an abundance of time for us and his wife Martha. Although at times Martha experienced the hardships of living with such a successful man who was always in demand, their 70-year relationship never faltered, such was their love for each other and devotion towards their boys.

From a personal perspective, Dad’s support and encouragement for us was second to none through promoting our careers, personal relationships, religious beliefs and belief in humanity. His grandchildren would testify to receiving the same level of love and attention.

He is survived by his wife, Martha Y Johnstone, and his two sons David A Johnstone and Alan J Johnstone.

ALAN AND DAVID JOHNSTONE AND NORMAN REID