Staff profile

Litka Milian is an Associate Professor (Teaching) in the Department of Chemistry at Durham University. Originally trained as an organic chemist, Litka completed an MChem in Organic Chemistry at the University of Warsaw and a PhD in Physical and Organic Chemistry at the Military University of Technology in Warsaw, Poland. With over a decade of experience in chemistry education and student support, Litka leads innovative work at the intersection of teaching, student experience, and equality, diversity, and inclusion (EDI).

Focusing on inclusive education and curriculum transformation, Litka’s research and practice champion approaches that break down barriers for all learners, especially those from underrepresented and minoritised groups. Litka leads curriculum decolonisation across the Faculty of Science and has developed and implemented strategies to embed diverse perspectives into chemistry teaching, assessment, and student support, while mentoring staff and students involved in these initiatives.

Research interests

• Inclusive chemistry education and curriculum decolonisation
• Authentic and accessible assessment strategies (including self- and peer-assessment)
• Student voice and co-creation in teaching and learning
• Enhancing belonging, engagement, and well-being in STEM
• History and societal impact of chemical sciences
• Equity, diversity, and inclusion in higher education

Litka is PI on multiple funded projects focusing on racial equity, student success, and fostering EDI in STEM, and has received awards for excellence in teaching, assessment, and inclusive practice. Litka is committed to creating safe and engaging learning environments, bridging the curriculum with real-world relevance and diverse histories of science.

Outreach work extends to mentoring programmes (in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry), as well as designing resources and workshops for learners from disadvantaged backgrounds, furthering widening participation in STEM.

Litka is an EPSRC EDI+ Fellow, Chair/Member of several working groups advancing student attainment and progression, and regularly collaborates with colleagues across disciplines on initiatives to drive change at institutional and national levels.

Esteem Indicators

• 2025: Durham University Teaching and Learning AwardsWon the Academic Tutor of the Year Award at Durham University.

• 2024: Mentor – Destination STEMM-Chemical Sciences ProgrammeMentor for minority ethnic students, in partnership with the Royal Society of Chemistry through the Destination STEMM programme, supporting school-to-STEMM degree and career transitions.

• 2024: Durham University Teaching and Learning AwardsShortlisted for Outstanding Contribution to Equity, Diversity & Inclusion.

• 2023: Host Co-Organiser – ViCEPHEC 2023Co-organiser of the national ViCEPHEC physics education research conference, advancing inclusive and sector-leading STEM pedagogy.

• 2022: Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)Awarded Senior Fellowship of Advance HE (SFHEA) for sustained leadership and impact in higher education teaching and learning.

Conference Paper

• Good Laboratory Practice
  
  Gasowska, J. (2013). Good Laboratory Practice. In Emerge (pp. 30-38). Emerge.
• Structure and electrooptical properties of orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystalline materials
  
  Dabrowski, R., Czuprynski, K., Gasowska, J., Tykarska, M., Kula, P., Dziaduszek, J., Oton, J., Castillo, P., & Benis, N. (2005). Structure and electrooptical properties of orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystalline materials. In Proceedings Volume 5947, Liquid Crystals: Optics and Applications. SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.619805
• Broad temperature range antiferroelectric regular mixtures
  
  Dabrowski, R., Czuprynski, K., Gasowska, J., Oton, J., Quintana, X., Castillo, P., & Bennis, N. (2004). Broad temperature range antiferroelectric regular mixtures [Conference paper].
• Influence of rigid core structure on layer tilt and mesomorphic properties in homologous series of three ring antiferroelectric esters
  
  Gasowska, J., Dziaduszek, J., Drzewinski, W., Filipowicz, M., Dabrowski, R. S., Przedmojski, J., & Kenig, K. (2004). Influence of rigid core structure on layer tilt and mesomorphic properties in homologous series of three ring antiferroelectric esters [Conference paper].
• Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of esters with swallow type terminal chain and their ability to enhance or induce anticlinic phases
  
  Gasowska, J., Drzewinski, W., Dabrowski, R. S., Przedmojski, J., Czuprynski, K. L., Kenig, K., & Tykarska, M. (2002). Synthesis and mesomorphic properties of esters with swallow type terminal chain and their ability to enhance or induce anticlinic phases. In Proceedings Volume 4759, XIV Conference on Liquid Crystals: Chemistry, Physics, and Applications. SPIE. https://doi.org/10.1117/12.472188

Journal Article

• Developing interactive multimedia learning materials for chemistry pre-lab training
  
  Fern, N., & Milian, J. L. (2024). Developing interactive multimedia learning materials for chemistry pre-lab training. Enhancing Teaching and Learning in Higher Education, 1, 74-86. https://doi.org/10.62512/etlhe.7
• Exploring peer assessment in undergraduate essay writing: chemistry module study
  
  Milian, J. L. (2024). Exploring peer assessment in undergraduate essay writing: chemistry module study. Educational Alternatives, 22(1), 193-211. https://doi.org/10.62991/ea1996469277
• Developing Problem-Solving Skills in Chemistry Students Through Project-Based Learning
  
  Milian, J. (2023). Developing Problem-Solving Skills in Chemistry Students Through Project-Based Learning. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Educational Alternatives, 21, 85-96.
• Engaging Students Through Self-Assessment in Practical Classes
  
  Milian, J. (2023). Engaging Students Through Self-Assessment in Practical Classes. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Educational Alternatives, 21, 73-84.
• Towards the Development of Interactive and Multifaceted Pre-Lab Exercises for Organic Chemistry Practical Classes
  
  Milian, J. L., Norman, K., & Fern, N. (2022). Towards the Development of Interactive and Multifaceted Pre-Lab Exercises for Organic Chemistry Practical Classes. Journal of International Scientific Publications: Educational Alternatives, 20, 33-43.
• Orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals containing biphenyl, terphenyl, or naphthyl mesogenic unit
  
  Dąbrowski, R., Drzewiński, W., Dziaduszek, J., Gąsowska, J., Henderson, P., Kula, P., Otón, J., & Bennis, N. (2007). Orthoconic antiferroelectric liquid crystals containing biphenyl, terphenyl, or naphthyl mesogenic unit. Opto-Electronics Review, 15(1), 32-36. https://doi.org/10.2478/s11772-006-0052-7
• Comparison of Mesomorphic Properties in Chiral and Achiral Homologous Series of High Tilted Ferroelectrics and Antiferroelectrics
  
  GAsowska, J., DAbrowski, R., Drzewiński, W., Filipowicz, M., Przedmojski, J., & Kenig, K. (2004). Comparison of Mesomorphic Properties in Chiral and Achiral Homologous Series of High Tilted Ferroelectrics and Antiferroelectrics. Ferroelectrics, 309(1), 83-93. https://doi.org/10.1080/00150190490509962
• Formative Assessment: improving students' experience in the teaching labs
  
  Milian, L. (n.d.). Formative Assessment: improving students’ experience in the teaching labs. Online Educational Research Journal. Advance online publication.