Dr Helen Ryder MRSC

Winner: 2021 Award for Exceptional Service

University of Manchester

For outstanding service to the Royal Society of Chemistry through our member communities and governance groups.

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Understanding more about formulation and chemical sciences helps us accelerate the move to sustainable products across many industries.

The Royal Society of Chemistry's interest groups are scientific networks run by members for their community. Dr Helen Ryder is Chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Formulation Science and Technology Interest Group (FSTG), and Interest Group Representative for the Member Networks Committee.

Helen has represented the Royal Society of Chemistry and the FSTG at numerous corporate events, conferences and exhibitions, delivering on the objectives set for those events and reporting to the committees on the outcomes. In 2020, the FSTG was able to transfer its meetings successfully online, running five meetings with 1,400 registered participants.

As an ambassador for formulation in the chemical sciences, Helen shares best practice and fosters strategic working relationships across the RSC's networks.

Read winner biography

Dr Helen Ryder is Chair of the Royal Society of Chemistry's Formulation Science and Technology Interest Group, and Interest Group Representative for the Member Networks Committee. As an ambassador for formulation in chemical sciences, Helen shares best practice and fosters strategic working relationships across the RSC's networks.

She obtained her PhD in 2007 at the University of Manchester where she worked with Professor Gordon Tiddy to study the behaviour of surfactant lamellar and gel phases under flow. Following her PhD, she was Project Manager for InForm, an EU-FP7 coordination action which facilitated the exchange of knowledge between academics and industrialists on the use of nanostructured materials in formulated products across world regions (Europe, Asia-Pacific & America).

Dr Ryder is currently Research and Facilities Manager for Royce, the UK’s National Centre for Advanced Materials, where she supports the extensive and innovative imaging and characterisation facilities at the University of Manchester. She is responsible for facilitating access to world-leading instrumentation, from both internal and external users, ensuring excellence in the delivery of projects and developing business cases for new capabilities and infrastructure.

Helen has a long-standing commitment to supporting Equality, Diversity and Inclusion. She was previously the Charter Marks Coordinator for the University of Manchester, working on the Athena Swan Charter for advancing gender equality and the Race Equality Charter for improving the representation, progression and success of Black, Asian and Minority Ethnic staff and students. Helen is the interim co-chair of the Royce EDI Committee, and sits on the Newman Catholic Collegiate Board of Directors as Foundation Director.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

At school my favourite subjects were always maths and science. My love for chemistry (and all sciences) comes from my self-drive to question and understand more about the world around us. At high school my chemistry teacher, Mrs Bates, encouraged me to apply for INSIGHT: a week-long engineering placement for girls at the University of Salford. I’ll never forgot this time and opportunity given to me. Following this, I decided I wanted to do chemical engineering at UMIST and I’ve never looked back (nor ever left the University)!

Who or what has inspired you?

I am extremely passionate about chemistry and, in particular, formulation science. I will be forever grateful to Professor Gordon Tiddy and Professor Flor Siperstein who really sparked my interest and love for formulation science and who both continue to inspire me. Thank you!

Can you tell us about a scientific development on the horizon that you are excited about?

Really excited about the continued development of hydrogen as an energy vector supporting the clean growth Grand Challenge.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

My PhD will always be my biggest achievement and the highlight of my scientific career. My husband Chris recently commissioned me a Dr Helen Ryder POP! figure which has to be the single most amazing present ever.

What has been a challenge for you (either personally or in your career)?

Juggling home-learning for my four-year-old daughter, Jessica, and full-time working from home! Whilst this has been a huge challenge (and very, very tiring) this journey has also enabled me to learn how to do more to support Jessica which has certainly benefitted us both.

What does good research culture look like/mean to you?

Good research culture is an inclusive, supportive environment where everyone feels they belong and can thrive. I am extremely passionate about equality, diversity and inclusion and a positive working culture is essential to deliver positive economic and societal impact.

How are the chemical sciences making the world a better place?

Through continued learning and understanding we can make things better. Formulation is the science and technology required to combine a range of different ingredients to optimise the required product performance. Understanding more about formulation and chemical sciences helps us accelerate the move to sustainable products across many industries.

Why do you think teamwork is important in science?

Teamwork is so important to the advancement of science. Science has so many interconnected strands it is impossible for one person to have all the knowledge. Working together to tackle challenges means that solutions can be found. The Formulation Science and Technology Group provides a forum for sharing industrial best practices and learning from academia across all formulation market areas.