Richard Lawson
Physics Educator
Birchgrove,CRF
Summary
Innovative and passionate Physics educator with 19+ years of experience in teaching, science communication, curriculum design, and mentoring. Author of the "Forces and Energy" (Physics) section of Wales' new national science curriculum and a dynamic presenter and trainer for national conferences. Experienced in transforming complex scientific concepts into accessible, engaging content for diverse audiences. Skilled in narrative development, data analysis, research, and scripting — ready to contribute to Veritasium’s mission of making science captivating and credible.
Overview
2026
2026
years of professional experience
Work History
Head of Physics and Electronics
Llanishen High School
09.2021 - Current
- Self-motivated, with a strong sense of personal responsibility.
- Excellent communication skills, both verbal and written.
- Facilitated increase in girls opting for A-Level (17-18) Physics, far exceeding national statistics.
- Doubled the number of students opting to study Physics at KS5 (A-Level)
- Adopted Physics mentoring approach utilising undergraduate Physics students to support school learners.
Head of Physics
Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School
09.2016 - 09.2021
- Worked well in a team setting, providing support and guidance.
- Passionate about learning and committed to continual improvement.
- Managed time efficiently in order to complete all tasks within deadlines.
- Facilitated excellent departments results with Physics students achieving the highest results in the school.
- Adopted innovative teaching techniques which stemmed from collaboration with Government on curriculum design.
Physics Teacher
St Cyres School
09.2014 - 09.2016
- Provided physics demonstrations to illustrate how coursework can be applied.
- Boosted classroom engagement by developing interactive lesson plans tailored to students' learning styles.
- Contributed to the development of school-wide science initiatives, enhancing the overall quality of STEM education at the institution.
- Increased student confidence in problem-solving skills through regular assessments and personalized feedback.
Physics and Electronics Teacher
Porthcawl Comprehensive School
09.2006 - 09.2014
- Developed strong relationships with students by utilizing novel, innovative, imaginative and engaging lessons.
- Managed classroom behavior effectively by establishing clear expectations, modeling appropriate conduct, and consistently enforcing established rules and consequences.
- Maintained accurate records of student progress, attendance, and behavior to facilitate ongoing communication with parents about their child''s educational journey.
- Mentored new teachers, sharing best practices and providing guidance to help them adapt to their new roles successfully.
Engineer
Atkins Global Plc
11.2003 - 07.2005
- Established strong working relationships with UK Government clients through exceptional communication skills, fostering trust and collaboration.
- Achieved successful project outcomes by maintaining accurate documentation and meeting strict deadlines.
- Presented technical findings to stakeholders, ensuring clear understanding of project status and goals.
- Wrote, reviewed and edited technical document in accordance with template requirements.
- Collaborated on interdisciplinary teams to develop creative, cost-effective solutions for complex projects.
- Conducted detailed research and analysis to identify potential improvements in engineering methods, resulting in more sustainable practices.
Graduate Engineer
WSP
11.2001 - 11.2003
- Applied systems engineering and communications technologies — foundational for scientific storytelling and analytical thinking.
- Integral member of the Research and Development team identifying and developing new and novel technologies for UK Government agencies — identifying new concepts and conducting deep research for presentation to non-specialist government officials for application to agency-specific work.
- Designed and implemented new and novel technologies in real-world settings.
- Played an integral role in securing contracts from major clients by demonstrating exceptional presentation skills during meetings with stakeholders.
Professional Projects
South Wales
- Curriculum Author – Science & Technology AoLE (Curriculum for Wales). Authored national physics curriculum content (Forces & Energy). Collaborated with academics, policymakers, and industry to integrate storytelling and conceptual learning.
- Trainer and Speaker presented at: Institute of Physics – South Wales Conference; CSC Headteachers Conference; National and regional CPD events for STEM educators.
- Transition Programme Designer: Created and led workshops for KS2–KS3 transition, raising engagement and performance in Year 7.
Key Collaborations
South Wales
- STEM Cymru
- UK Electronics Skills Foundation (UKESF)
- Cardiff University – Physics outreach.
- Institute of Physics (IoP)
- School Governor – Community and Wellbeing Committee
Education
PGCE - Science - Science And Physics Education
UWIC
Cardiff 04.2001 -
BSc (Hons) 2:1 - Electronics
University of Glamorgan
South Wales 04.2001 -
Higher National Diplomer - Electrical And Electronic Engineering
University of Glamorgan
South Wales 04.2001 -
Skills
Friendly, positive attitude
Teamwork and collaboration
Time management
Multitasking
Calm under pressure
Excellent communication
Timeline
Head of Physics and Electronics
Llanishen High School
09.2021 - Current
Head of Physics
Cardinal Newman Catholic Secondary School
09.2016 - 09.2021
Physics Teacher
St Cyres School
09.2014 - 09.2016
Physics and Electronics Teacher
Porthcawl Comprehensive School
09.2006 - 09.2014
Engineer
Atkins Global Plc
11.2003 - 07.2005
Graduate Engineer
WSP
11.2001 - 11.2003
PGCE - Science - Science And Physics Education
UWIC
04.2001 -
BSc (Hons) 2:1 - Electronics
University of Glamorgan
04.2001 -
Higher National Diplomer - Electrical And Electronic Engineering
University of Glamorgan
04.2001 -
Professional Projects
South Wales
Key Collaborations
South Wales
Similar Profiles
Gigi LaRoseGigi LaRose
Student Teacher - Grade 2 at Llanishen Vach Primary SchoolStudent Teacher - Grade 2 at Llanishen Vach Primary School
Allison HensleyAllison Hensley
MSD Transition Classroom Teacher / Transition Specialist at Frederick Douglass High School, Henry Clay High School, Tates Creek High SchoolMSD Transition Classroom Teacher / Transition Specialist at Frederick Douglass High School, Henry Clay High School, Tates Creek High School
Jose David Ramirez Jr.Jose David Ramirez Jr.
Instructional Assistant in Special Education at Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Troy High SchoolInstructional Assistant in Special Education at Fullerton Joint Union High School District, Troy High School
Imogen ReichelImogen Reichel
Makeup-artist at Self Employed ServicesMakeup-artist at Self Employed Services
Darcy HeathDarcy Heath
Duty Manager at The London HotelDuty Manager at The London Hotel