The Periodic Fable

In the last episode of 2023, Bryony, Cameron & Hallam sit down to discuss some topical events over the last few months of 2023, whilst ending on a high with a Christmas Quiz. 

This week the team are joined by Darren Budd, Commercial Director at BASF. In the chat, Darren details his passion for chemistry from his school days, before going onto study Chemistry at University followed by his PhD. It was during his PhD where his passion for the business side of chemistry grew and Darren never looked back. 27 years later, Darren is now the Commercial Director for BASF, and in this episode, he details his journey and his passion for what he does.

On this weeks podcast, the gang are joined by Freya McGhee, fresh off her adventure to the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. Freya completed her degree in chemistry before deciding to swap the lab for the stage. During the podcast, Freya discusses her journey into stand-up and the role chemistry played in her life, leading up to her choosing to become a stand-up comic. More recently, Freya has began to incorporate chemistry into her stand-up routine, and in November, she will be co-hosting "Comedians in STEM" in London.  

This week the team are joined by Dr. Hannah Roberts, the inspirational STEM Coach, helping women in STEM figure out "What Next?"Hannah discusses her journey into a career into Chemistry and how that transitioned into coaching. Hannah's passion for what she does, and for empowering Women in STEM all over the world shines through and her story of dealing with imposter syndrome and helping to tackle the leaky pipeline are truly inspirational! Look out for Hannah's new book "Intentional Careers for STEM Women: Six strategic steps to balance, confidence and fulfilment" which was released in September 2023

In this weeks instalment, Bryony, Cameron & Hallam interview Sixth-Form students. Some of these students have chosen science, some have chosen different paths, but either way, the students were brilliant!

In this mini series, Bryony, Cameron & Hallam visited Emmanuel College in Gateshead, to learn from their students & staff about science and their learning journeys. In episode 1, the team speak with students from Year 7, 8 & 9, about their favourite subjects, and what they all plan to be when they grow up and how science can help them on their journey

This week, Cameron & Hallam are joined by a new co-host to the podcast, Bryony Parker, who joins the team and discusses her background. Later the team are joined by Ian Stone of ChemUK to discuss the upcoming conference in May, which the podcast will be live at! 

On this weeks episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by TikTok sensation, Big Manny, to discuss all the amazing work he's been doing on social media and bringing science to life in his back garden. From his early influences at school, his music career, and his recent trip to the BBC to film Blue Peter, Manny talks through his journey to becoming a real influence to students across the globe with his short scientific videos. 

On the final part of this two part special, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Irene and Christina from the GenomAbs team, who competed in the BrightSCIdea challenge earlier this year. They detail their story, of how they met through the competition, the help they received, and what they think the future of prescribing antibiotics will be. Anyone wishing to take part in the challenge still has a week to do so, so do it whilst you can! 

On a two-part special, Cameron and Hallam are joined by Bryony Parker from the Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) to discuss the BrightSCIdea challenge they run annually. On the episode, we have the team of Happy Biopatch, represented by Klara Hatinova, who comes on to discuss all about her teams idea, and their experience of the BrightSCIdea challenge. 

Joining Cameron & Hallam this week, is Alex Cousen from Astra Zeneca. Alex is a Senior Crystallisation Chemist within Astra Zeneca's Early Chemical development team. Alex studied both his undergraduate Chemistry degree, as well as his PhD at Bath University, and has a passion not only for the chemistry he does, but sharing his passion for the subject. On the podcast, Alex will discuss how he came to be a Senior Crystallisation Chemist. What it was like working for Astra Zeneca during the pandemic, and his experience working across both academia, and industry. 

On the podcast this week, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Ben Walsh, Deputy Director for the Transforming Foundation Industries at Innovate UK. Ben discusses his background from Chemist, to Consultant to Deputy Director, as well as sharing his insight and thoughts into the work needed to decarbonise the foundation industries. Cameron will also share a story on the chemicals of tattoo ink, and Hallam has some e-cracking news to share. 

After a summer break, Cameron & Hallam are back, and this week they're interviewing the CIA's Incumbent Young Ambassador, Izzy Sloan.Izzy has just finished her second year as a Degree Apprentice in Chemical Engineering at GSK and joins the podcast to discuss her hopes for the future. How she got into the degree apprenticeship route, and what advice she'd give to anyone looking to follow in her footsteps. Cameron also shares some news coming out this week about the cost of UK Reach, which links back to a previous podcast with Janet discussing all things regulations. 

This week, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Shilpa Mistry, Head of Pharma for UK & Ireland at Chemlink Specialities.Shilpa is the last guest of the ChemUK line up, and in this podcast, Shilpa goes into detail about her career into Pharma. Her two years in industry as a student, and then her move into the commercial world of pharmaceuticals. Shilpa then discusses her talk at ChemUK which is looking how to better administer drugs to our beloved pets. 

Joining Cameron & Hallam on the podcast this week, is Professor Gil Reid.Gill is a Professor of Inorganic Chemistry at The University of Southampton, and she is also the President-Elect of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Gill will take up the role of president in July 2022 and in this weeks episode she speaks to Cameron & Hallam about her passion for chemistry, her passion for teaching chemistry and her passion for inspiring the next generation of chemists. Gill will be part of the guest speakers at this years ChemUK Expo. 

On the podcast this week, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Allison Buenemann, all the way from Seattle Washington.Allison is a qualified Chemical Engineer, but moved to Data Science a few years ago with a company called Seeq, where she is now an Industry Principle, working closely with bringing data science to Chemical, Petrochemical and Refinery based processes. Allison discusses her journey into industry, as well as why the future of not just the chemical industry, but many data driven industries, need to adapt and adjust to the digital world. Listen out too for Allison's Desert Island Chemicals and see how she thinks outside the box for her answers. Allison is another guest who is going to be taking part at ChemUK 2022, in Birmingham in May. Be sure to go and see hi and see what Seeq can offer if you're going to the Expo. 

Ever wondered about the deep world of Chemical regulations? How are companies legally allowed to handle, use and produce certain chemicals? All this is much more is covered by chemical regulations and compliance checks that allow companies to bring chemicals through the door. On the podcast this week, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Janet Greenwood, Director of TTEnvironmental, a specialist consulting firm, set up to help companies comply with regulations such as REACH, that allow companies to handle all types of chemicals. Janet discusses in length how some of the processes work, why they were set up, and what more can be done to help companies. Janet is the first guest in a series of guests, who will be partaking in the upcoming CHEMUK expo in May 2022. The Periodic Fable and CHEMUK have joined forces, to bring listeners a sneak peak of the guests who will be presenting at the conference, and give our audience an insight into some of the leading minds who are currently working across the Science and Engineering sector. If you're interested in attending CHEMUK, have a look at the link below: https://www.chemicalukexpo.com/speaker-programme/

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Prof. Andy Parsons of York University. Professor Parsons has a background in organic chemistry, but his true skill is in how he teaches and delivers chemistry to his students.Professor Parsons has won several awards for his teaching, and in this episode he discusses issues around chemistry uptake, and the steps he thinks are needed to encourage more students to take up chemistry post A-level. Listen out too, for Andy's "Desert Island Chemicals" the 5 chemicals he'd take with him if he was stranded on a desert island. 

In the latest episode of The Periodic Fable, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Tony Heslop, Senior Sustainability Manager for BASF. Tony discusses his journey from chemist, to marketing, to his latest sustainability role, whilst discussing the absolute necessity of the chemical industry to our every day life. Cameron then takes on the True Periodic Fable sharing the story of Ernest Rutherford, the father of the "Rutherford Atomic Model" 

On the first podcast of 2022, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Emrys Travis.Emrys is a Disability & Accessibility Specialist for the Royal Society of Chemistry. In the pod, we discuss breaking down the barriers for entry to chemistry, and to understanding how the world of chemistry can and should be inclusive of everyone. Hallam then shares a True Periodic Fable detailing the life of Kathleen Lonsdale, who pioneered the chemist working from home, but more importantly, who actually discovered using X-Ray Diffraction, that Benzene was flat - Hallam tries and fails to show off his chemistry knowledge when describing electrons in benzene. 

On the final Periodic Fable of the Year, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Jacob Young. MP for Redcar. Jacob chairs the All Party Parliamentary Group for Hydrogen, and on this episode he dives deep into just what a hydrogen economy might look like for all of us in the future. Jacob also shares his journey from apprentice, to a job in the chemical industry, all the way to being elected as an MP in 2019. Later in the episode, Cameron shares his final True Periodic Fable of the year, with a festive twist, exploring the story of how Michael Faraday and one of the worlds greatest writers, Charles Dickens, collaborated over a shared interest in chemistry...

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam revisit a stage in their life they really don't miss...Looking back at how they revised for their biggest exams, and the difference they experienced between GCSE, then A-Levels and finally University exams. They share some tips that helped them get through, especially during the Christmas period, when most people want to do nothing but eat, drink and be merry. Mixing revision into that, certainly leaves "merry" lagging behind. They then decide to test themselves, to see how much revision has helped them over the years, testing their knowledge with some GCSE Chemistry and A-Level Chemistry questions taken from past papers of the last couple of years. 

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Nikita Patel.Nikita is currently studying for her PhD at Queen Mary University of London, where her research is investigating new therapeutic approaches for haemorrhagic shock relating to multiple organ failure. Whilst Nikita doesn't have a typical chemistry background, her scientific thinking, and her way of conveying very complex topics into easy to digest chunks of information, made her the perfect candidate to co-host the Next-Gen debate: Countdown to Planet Zero Combating climate change with chemistryNikita was selected to co-host the event, due to her award winning presentations given to the SCI, The Society of Chemical Industry.Later in the episode, Hallam shares a True Periodic Fable, sharing the story of Robert Bunsen, the creator of the famous Bunsen Burner. 

In this special episode, Cameron & Hallam discuss COP26 at length. Was the 26th annual Conference of the Parties all it was cracked up to be? Join Cameron & Hallam to hear their thoughts on the outcomes of COP and what it means for the industry and specifically young people in the industry. Cameron also has a special COP quiz.Let us know how many points you scored. 

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Kemi & Nat to discuss Black in Chem, an organization formed in the wake of the Black Lives Matter movement, in the hope of increasing awareness of black chemists within the science community.#BlackinChem was part of a cluster of initiatives, to raise awareness of Black communities within professional fields and topics, prompted in part by the Central Park Birdwatching incident, and the killings of George Floyd. Whilst only in it's first year, BlackInChem was recognized by both the Royal Society of Chemistry, Chemical & Engineering News, USA Today & Chemistry world.  From August 10 - 15, the first #BlackChemistsWeek ran, highlighting the fantastic research being carried out by Black chemists, as well as detailing some of the racism experienced during the careers of many Black chemists in the world of chemistry. On this episode, Kemi & Nat detail their experience into chemistry, why they wanted to get involved in BlackinChem and what their plans are moving forward. 

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam dive into the world of COP26. As leaders from around the world descend on Glasgow for the 26th Conference of the Parties, to discuss all things Climate Change, Cameron & Hallam discuss what this means for us?What does it mean for the chemical industry? And what will the long term goals be of COP? They also share their expectations from the conference and what they hope to see achieved not just for the chemical industry, but also for the world in general in regards to climate change. 

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Kyra Sedransk Campbell who is a Royal Society and EPSRC Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow and Lecturer at the University, as well as the Co-founder of Nanomox, a start-up company aimed at helping her research projects get up and running. Kyra discusses her upbringing in the United States, and where her passion for research actually started, as well as detailing her experiences from moving up and across academia, from studying a PhD to now lecturing PhD students. Hallam also shares a True Periodic Fable from the world of Charles Goodyear, detailing his journey to discover vulcanization, otherwise known as turning rubber into a more hard and durable material. Cameron & Hallam both share what they've been up to during the last few weeks as well as highlighting their recent success at the Business of Science Conference in Birmingham. 

In the first part of a special series, Chemistry Connect aims to bring chemistry closer to people possibly considering a career in the industry. In this episode, Cameron & Hallam dive into the world of chemistry labs, starting at school.They share their stories and memories from working in the laboratory both in school & industry.Whether you're considering a career in the industry and want to see how what you're learning is applied in industry, or whether you've not been in a lab since school, this is a great episode to understand why what we learn in the classroom is relevant to industrial laboratories. Future episodes will explore career options in the industry and explore the diversity changes that are ongoing within the chemicals sector.

In Episode 7, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Peter Clark, Head of Chemistry and Industrial Biotechnology at KTN.In this episode, Peter discusses in detail the support systems for UK industry to innovate & to collaborate when working towards Net Zero. Looking at the promising and exciting future for UK industry with examples such as Net Zero & the circular economy, batteries/low carbon fuel, as well as giving his own take as to what some of the most exciting developments from companies in the UK are. Peter also discusses in length his journey into chemistry. Detailing his University & PhD studies and when he had his light bulb moment to study which turned on his passion for the subject, as well as his time spent consulting in Australia. Later, Cameron shares his True Periodic Fable, taking a look back into the world of George De Hevesy, involving isotopes, radiation, and melting a Nobel prize to hide it from the Nazi's.Hallam then shares two exciting news stories from the world of chemistry, this time around some exciting developments in the world of hydrogen. 

In this episode, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Liam Britnell, who works for the Graphene Engineering Innovation Centre (or GEIC for short) at the University of Manchester. Liam dives into detail about the world of graphene development and his journey as a physicist which has enabled him to work with some of the brightest minds in the world of science. Later in the episode, Hallam then takes a leap out of Liam's book, and shares the story of one of the most famous physicists around; Erwin Schrödinger. Taking a look at the True Periodic Fable around Schrödinger's cat and the origin story. Cameron then shares with us some exciting news that's been happening in the world of science and chemistry.

On episode 5 of The Periodic Fable, Cameron & Hallam are joined by Sarah Davidson, who is the Group Sustainability Coordinator for Croda. Sarah discusses her journey into the world of chemistry, and takes a look back at her path from A-Level, to University and into her MSc. She then dives into the world of sustainability, not only in the industry, but also in her day to day life. In May, Sarah was named the Chemical Industries Association's Young Ambassador, and she tells us all about what she's got planned for the following 12 months. Later,  Cameron shares a true periodic fable looking into the world of the so-called father of modern chemistry Antoine-Laurent de Lavoisier, whilst delving into the world of his relatively unknown wife, Marrie-Anne, who left her own imprint into the world of chemistry. Hallam then shares with us the news in the world of chemistry, this week, talking about the IPCC climate change report, just recently published. 

In this episode, The Periodic Fable, welcomes its first guest onto the podcast, as Cameron & Hallam are joined by Laura Nieboer, Circular Economy Analyst for Petrochemical giant SABIC. Laura discusses her journey into the chemical industry and talks about her mission to turn waste into a usable solution not only in the workplace but in her home life too. Listen out for her amazing beer brewing story.Hallam then champions some great female pioneers within chemistry in this week's "True Periodic Fable" before Cameron dives into the latest news, with interesting updates about chemistry in the Olympics.

In Episode 3 of the Periodic Fable, Hallam goes into detail about his journey to becoming a Chemist, the route he took, the life lessons he's learnt on the way, and the work he's spent the last 10 years doing in the vital field of polymers and plastic production  Cameron then takes us on another True Periodic Fable, diving into the world of Arrhenius before Hallam  looks at what's in the news in the world of science and chemistry.  

In this episode, we take a deep dive into the world of Cameron.   We explore what he does during a normal day in his role as a chemist, his route into the industry and his knowledge on the growing field of battery technology.   In this episode Hallam also introduces our listeners to a "True Periodic Fable" where we go back through the ages to look at key figures from the world of science and chemistry. Cameron finishes the show off by sharing some news stories from the world of chemistry with our audience

In this introductory episode, Cameron & Hallam welcome you to The Periodic Fable: the podcast taking a dive into the world of chemistry.  In this episode, Cameron & Hallam discuss why they decided to tackle a podcast, and explain briefly their reason for pursuing careers in chemistry.