The Way We Work

Lecturer in Education

Early in her career, Anna earned a PhD in nuclear physics and then taught at the Australian National University.  In 2016, Anna obtained a second PhD in education and she is now a Lecturer in Education at the University of Stirling.  She speaks about her love of learning and some of the challenges associated with working in Education.  Recorded in October 2020. 

Director of Nikalyte and Nikaworks and Professor of Medical Nanotechnology, University of the Highlands and Islands

Alistair Kean earned a PhD in Physics from the University of St. Andrews before working in nanotechnology companies.  He now has multiple appointments as a Professor of Medical Nanotechnology and as Director of Nikalyte and Nikaworks.  He talks about how his career evolved and his optimism for the future of Medical Nanotechnology.  Recorded in January 2020. 

Industry Editor, IOP Physics World

Margaret Harris earned a PhD in experimental atomic physics at Durham University before joining Physics World in 2008.  Her present role involves writing and editing news stories for the magazine's website.  She describes how her interests in physics and journalism developed.  She speaks about some of the challenges women face as well as the thrill of learning about current research.  Recorded in January 2020.  

Data Scientist

Chandra describes how a childhood interest in science developed as he pursued a PhD in photonics at Heriot-Watt and did postdoctoral research in quantum optics at Stanford.  He also spoke about why he enjoys his current work as a data scientist.   Recorded in July 2019. 

Research Management

After earning a PhD in laser physics at Imperial College in London, Karen developed lasers for medical applications.  Then she shifted from research to management.  She played a key role in shaping the Institute of Photonics at Strathclyde and describes the importance of management and developing a personal management style.  Recorded in July 2019. 

Patent Attorney, Marks & Clark

Kate is a chartered (UK) and European attorney at Marks & Clerk, one of the world's leading patent and trade mark attorney firms.  She works on a wide range of patent cases in physics, electronics and engineering, including medical imaging, medical devices, signal processing, renewables, telecoms and computer-implemented inventions.  Before retraining as a patent attorney in her mid-30s, she was an antenna scientist/engineer in the defence and telecoms industry.  She has a MSci in theoretical physics from St Andrews and a PhD in high-energy particle physics from Durham.  Recorded in

Assistant Professor, Mechanical Engineering, Colorado School of Mines

After his PhD, Prof. Andrew Osborne's career moved from physics to investment banking and back again.  He describes his management strategies and hopes for the impact his work will have.  Recorded in July 2019.