Professor Stuart Taylor FRSC

My interest in chemistry started at school. I was lucky to have an excellent chemistry teacher, who was so enthusiastic about the subject that you could not help being inspired and I always looked forward to the next lesson. The practical aspect of chemistry was also a major draw, we were fortunate that we regularly had practical lessons, putting into practice the concepts we were learning.

The continued excitement in realising a new idea from conception, to experiment to delivery. For me the aspect of discovery in science is a key driver.

If you choose to pursue a career in chemistry, there are numerous opportunities available. My advice would be to opt for a specific branch of chemistry that genuinely captivates your interest, as this will help you to remain engaged, motivated, and fulfilled with your work. The field of modern chemistry is incredibly diverse and presents a variety of challenges. You can explore different areas of chemistry to discover the one that aligns with your aspirations and strengths and be assured that your contributions will be significant and meaningful.

Chemistry is an essential underpinning science for so many important areas. As a society we are facing many challenges, for example we need to ensure clean water supplies, protect the environment, and find new ways to make the things we all need in cleaner, more efficient and sustainable ways. Chemistry, and in particular catalysis, will provide the solutions to achieve these aims, as well as providing new practical technologies to deal with some of the more pressing problems we face like the recycling of plastics and combatting global warming.

An aspect that stands out is the opportunities for collaboration and forming friendships that my work has provided to me. I have had the good fortune of collaborating with numerous talented people from various companies, academic institutions, and research centres. Through these collaborations, I have been introduced to significant issues that demand solutions and I have acquired new knowledge. Additionally, it has given me the chance to travel to diverse locations and immerse myself in different cultures.

During the early stages of my academic career, I became registered blind and had to make numerous adjustments to my way of working. This transition happened rapidly and continues to present challenges to this day. More than 22 years later, I do not view my visual impairment as a hindrance. In fact, it has become a source of motivation for me to focus on what I am capable of achieving, rather than dwelling on my limitations. In the realm of chemical science research, I am reminded that diverse perspectives and varying viewpoints are integral to advancing scientific progress through discourse, and this only emphasises to me that we all see things differently.

Chemistry is a truly remarkable enabling science. There are few problems in the natural world that chemistry cannot contribute to, remedy or solve, thereby improving the lives of so many.

In the chemical sciences, teamwork has become increasingly crucial. With the rapid development of numerous techniques and new methods, it is no longer feasible for individuals to possess all of the latest equipment and expertise necessary to gather and analyse data. Therefore, collaboration to combine the strengths of different experts from various fields is essential to accelerate our comprehension and make novel discoveries.