CircularChem: The Early Career Researcher Experience
Over the last four years, CircularChem has brought together a diverse group of Postdoctoral Researchers and Research Associates, all working within our Centre’s three core themes: Enabling Technologies for Circular Chemical Economy, Process Integration and Whole System Optimisation, and Policy, Society, and Finance.
Our exceptional team of researchers has made remarkable progress in advancing the chemical industry toward greater sustainability and circularity. In this article, we delve into the personal experiences of our team members, some of the challenges they encountered, and the rewarding moments of working on this groundbreaking project.
The Importance of an Interdisciplinary Approach
CircularChem has brought together stakeholders from academia, industry, government, NGOs and general public to transform the UK’s chemical industry into a fossil-independent, climate-positive and environmentally-friendly circular economy.
Having an interdisciplinary research experience during my PhD has been invaluable. It has broadened my perspective and highlighted the importance and potential of collaborating with experts from different fields. For those working in the circular economy, I would encourage you to think about the smallest yet most impactful steps we can take to apply circular principles and drive real change. It is also crucial to approach circular economy topics from a systemic perspective, as it is a vast field with the potential to transform lives globally. Investing your time in this area of research is truly worthwhile – you won’t regret it!
Qianqian Ma, PhD student at Heriot-Watt University working within Theme 3 Policy, Society, and Finance.
CircularChem provided me with a holistic picture of the chemical landscape, enabling me to see the connective link between chemical utilisation, waste and circularity. Furthermore, CircularChem exposed me to a highly interdisciplinary and solution-driven research environment. Unlike my previous roles, where my research was often sectioned, CircularChem encouraged cross collaborations, bringing together chemists, engineers, and sustainability experts to create holistic solutions for a fossil-free future. The Centre provided me with hands-on experience and will significantly influence my career trajectory moving forward.
Dr Samson Akpotu, Research Associate at Loughborough University working within Theme 1 Enabling Technologies for Circular Chemical Economy.
One of the most exciting parts of my time at CircularChem was my secondment to Waste Resource and Action Programme (WRAP), where I worked on non-mineral C&D residual waste management. This was a game-changer for me. This opportunity introduced me to the world of policymaking, allowed me to meet people from DEFRA, EA, and ESA, and even included site visits to landfills to see waste management in action. I also had the chance to work with the Centre for Postdoctoral Development in Infrastructure, Cities and Energy (C-DICE), looking at skill gaps in industries working toward net-zero targets. Talking to stakeholders from different sectors gave me a much broader perspective and helped me see how my research connects to practical, impactful issues.
Dr Swathi Mukundan, former Research Associate at Loughborough University working within Theme 1 Enabling Technologies for Circular Chemical Economy. Currently a Research Associate at the University of Surrey.
Implementing Policy
Our team understand that science and politics must align to drive meaningful change in the chemical industry and address many critical challenges facing society. We have dedicated considerable effort to providing evidence and contributing to over twenty consultations across the UK’s four devolved nations, whilst also producing a White Paper on Financing a Circular Chemical Economy.
I have really come to see the importance of policy-related work and the need for academia, industry and policymakers to work together closely to drive a circular transition. It has certainly been a privilege to be involved with the Centre and this work. This is such an important industrial sector for the UK, both materially and economically, underpinning many other sectors comprising our innovative industries. I am confident that our work will have a positive impact going forwards.
Dr Tom Franklin, Research Associate at The University of Sheffield working within Theme 3 Policy, Society, and Finance.
I never fully appreciated before the challenges and procedures when it comes to setting policy in the UK, and how devolution must be taken into account when developing policies, laws, bills, and all elements of legislation across the UK. That was a big learning curve for me. I had previously worked in numerous roles as an academic chemical researcher, but had never taken a role before that involved working outside of a research lab environment (and in the “real world” so-to-speak). Having that opportunity was therefore extremely rewarding and eye-opening.
Dr Katie Lamb, former Research Associate at The University of Sheffield working within Theme 3 Policy, Society, and Finance. Currently a Safety, Health and Environment Technician for Daresbury Laboratories.
Careers Beyond CircularChem
Throughout the lifetime of the Centre, our researchers have collectively produced sixty four peer-reviewed publications and secured two patents. We take great pride in the fact that many of our Research Associates have advanced in their academic careers, largely due to the experience and expertise they’ve gained through their work at the Centre. This not only highlights the significant impact of the project but also perpetuates the Centre’s legacy, as our team continues to drive forward research and innovation in the field.
The Centre distinguishes itself with its extensive connections to other academic institutions and industrial partners across multidisciplinary research areas, offering a unique environment compared to my previous roles. I had the opportunity to present my work to industrial partners, which helped me understand their concerns and explore opportunities to apply my research to real-world problems. I am currently a Lecturer at the University of Surrey. Working at the Centre enriched my experience and deepened my understanding of what it takes to be an effective academic.
Dr Lei Xing, former Research Associate at Loughborough University working within Theme 1 Enabling Technologies for Circular Chemical Economy. Currently a lecturer at the University of Surrey.
My time as a part-time Research Assistant at CircularChem was a pivotal experience that shaped my research career. CircularChem’s inspiring environment, particularly its Summer Schools and collaboration opportunities, was instrumental in my academic growth. Beyond academia, it was great to represent the project in the Edinburgh Science Festival, creating more opportunities for children to be inspired by science. Our work received internal recognition at the PRIME Sustainability Awards 2024 at Heriot-Watt University, recognising our impact and hard work. I am grateful for the opportunities CircularChem provided and ultimately, they helped me progress to my current role as an Assistant Professor at the Edinburgh Business School.
Dr Melissa Marques-McEwan, former Research Associate at Heriot-Watt University working within Theme 3 Policy, Society, and Finance. Currently an Assistant Professor at Edinburgh Business School.
As a process engineer, this experience has shaped my career trajectory. It heightened my awareness of the urgent need for a more sustainable chemical industry and reinforced the importance of combining strong technical expertise with the collaborative efforts of all stakeholders, from academia and industry to policymakers. I am now transitioning into a hybrid role where I will provide technical consultancy services to companies seeking to adopt more sustainable practices, while also continuing my academic research. This dual role allows me to bridge the gap between theory and practice, applying the knowledge and skills I gained at CircularChem to drive real-world impact.
Dr Diego Freire Ordóñez, Research Associate at Imperial College London working within Theme 2 Process Integration and Whole System Optimisation.
My work at the CircularChem Centre paved the way for my current role as a Data Observatory fellow at Defra (Department for Environment Food and Rural Affairs). The Data Observatory is building real-time material flow models for key materials, helping to identify pain points and opportunities across supply chains, and driving evidence-based policy development.
Dr Matthew Royle, former Research Associate at Newcastle University working within Theme 3 Policy, Society, and Finance. Currently a Data Observatory fellow at Defra.
My research areas include sustainable production of chemical compounds, carbon dioxide capture and utilization, carbon supply chain modelling, techno-economic and environmental analyses of chemical processes with mathematical modelling and simulation. In the Centre, I learnt to collaborate with other international members and improved my knowledge about circular and sustainable chemical processes this led to my current role as an assistant professor in Italy.
Dr Grazia Leonzio, former Research Associate at Imperial College London working within Theme 2 Process Integration and Whole System Optimisation. Currently an Assistant Professor at the University of Cagliari, Italy.
Continuing Collaborations
At CircularChem, we know that the research environment and culture we created today will shape the leaders of the circular economy tomorrow. That’s why we’ve built a supportive, collaborative space where early career researchers can thrive—gaining the skills, experience, and networks needed to drive real change. It is incredibly rewarding to witness the achievements and career progression of our ECRs as they contribute to a more sustainable future.
Professor Jin Xuan, PI & Centre Director at the University of Surrey.
As a Centre, we would like to take this opportunity to express our heartfelt gratitude to all of our researchers, whose tireless efforts have been instrumental in driving innovation and advancing the Circular Economy. We must continue our collaborative efforts to ensure that our technological advancements align with UK policies and are seamlessly integrated into both industry and society, paving the way for a truly circular future.