Rate My Professor Rebecca Norman

Dr. Rebecca Norman serves as a Lecturer in AU Pathways and Participation at Adelaide University, where she holds a teaching-focused role in enabling programs within The College pathway stream. Her academic background includes a PhD in Chemistry from Flinders University (2011-2015), a Bachelor of Science in Medicinal Chemistry (Honours) from Flinders University (2007-2010), and she is currently completing a Master of Education. Complementing her scientific expertise, Norman has extensive experience in senior secondary education, including tutoring and curriculum support roles in schools, as well as teaching placements in secondary settings, particularly in Adelaide's northern suburbs schools. Since 2010, she has undertaken a range of casual and fixed-term teaching positions, currently instructing courses such as NASC 1013 Introduction to Biosciences, NASC 1014 Science for Tertiary Learning, PHYS 1020 Physics for Health, SCEDC 90043 Understanding Generation Z SC, and SPRC 1009 Introduction to Coaching Science. Additionally, she delivers workshops for the University Makes a Difference program, funded by the Commonwealth Government’s Higher Education Continuity Guarantee, forming partnerships with non-mainstream schools to explore learning opportunities and alternative pathways to SACE completion.

Norman's research interests encompass Chemical Sciences, Education and training, Equity and access to education, Pedagogy, STEM Education, and Teaching and curriculum. She has held a Postdoctoral Research Fellow position at the University of Adelaide since 2023. Her scholarly contributions include key publications such as Murphy et al. (2016) 'Tetra-porphyrin molecular tweezers: Two binding sites linked via a polycyclic scaffold and rotating phenyl diimide core' in Organic and Biomolecular Chemistry; Norman et al. (2016) 'N,N-Dialkyl-N′-Chlorosulfonyl Chloroformamidines in Heterocyclic Synthesis. Part XIII' in Australian Journal of Chemistry; and several related papers in the same journal from 2013 to 2015 on pyrazolo thiatriazine derivatives. She also co-authored patent US10357896B2 on Manufactured wood products and methods of production (2019). Norman has been recognized with the EDC Teaching Award (Early Career) from the University of South Australia in 2025 and the SASTA Secondary Science Teacher of the Year award from the South Australian Secondary Science Teachers Association in 2021. Through her work, she promotes inclusive learning environments that build student confidence and challenge perceptions of university suitability, fostering greater participation and long-term success.