Dr Wayne Clark

Associate Professor of Science

Although I was born in London I grew up in the countryside of North Wales and this exposure to nature has greatly influenced my interest in environmental issues in my adult years. I returned to London for my BSc in chemistry, which I did at King’s College, University of London. From there I went to WPI, in Massachusetts USA, where I was awarded a teaching scholarship while studying for my PhD in inorganic chemistry. Following this I became an Industrial Post-Doctoral Fellow at a company near Boston, USA, researching lithium ion rechargeable batteries. At the end of my fellowship I became a Senior Scientist with the company.

After almost nine years in the USA I returned to Britain and joined the Richmond Computing, Mathematics and Science Department (now Arts and Sciences), where I have taught a variety of courses, including chemistry, history of biology, and environmental studies. I have also served as Chair of Department, Computing, Mathematics and Science (1999-2002).

When not at Richmond you can find me cycling to work or practicing and teaching Chinese martial arts. I am a fully qualified Tai Chi instructor with the United Kingdom Tai Chi Association and Tai Chi Union for Great Britain and train in the traditional style of health form, combat, weapons, pushing hands and chi kung.

First Year Seminar Program

I have been a member of the First Year Program Faculty since its inception and launch in 2007, teaching the course FYS 112, ‘Planet Pioneers’. This is an environmental and nature based course that explores the lives and work of people who have dedicated their lives to bringing a knowledge of nature, our planet, and the role of the environment into our living rooms. People such as nature documentary maker Sir David Attenborough (‘Life on Earth’, ‘Planet Earth’), conservationist and explorer Mike Fay (Megatransect of Gabon), Rachel Carson and her landmark environmental book ‘Silent Spring’, and the primatologists Dian Fossey (mountain gorilla) and Jane Goodall (chimpanzee).

The Green Project

I am the faculty advisor to the student environmental club ‘The Green Project’, which in addition to running the University recycling program, organizing trips, debates and guest speakers is actively involved with volunteer work through the Wandle Trust – a charity that helps to clean the River Wandle on a monthly basis. The Green Project is one of Richmond’s most active and successful clubs and has won ‘Club of the Year’ and ‘ Club Member of the Year’ in successive years: 2007/2008 and 2008/2009.

Liberal Arts

For the past few years I have been Chair of the Richmond Liberal Arts Core Curriculum Committee, and now also Chair the Richmond Liberal Arts Core Curriculum Working Group. These are responsible for the evaluation and implementation of Richmond’s current and future Liberal Arts program.

Courses Taught

• BIO/HST 125/126 Turning Points in the History of the Life Sciences and Laboratory
• CHM 113/114 Chemistry I and Laboratory
• ENV 113/114 Energy: A Global Perspective and Laboratory
• ENV 150/151 Introduction to Environmental Issues and Laboratory
• FYS 112 Planet Pioneers
• MTH 100 Fundamentals of Mathematics