I am a Chartered Chemist (CChem) with a PhD in Materials Chemistry and an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (AFHEA), bringing a unique blend of scientific expertise, professional accreditation, and a commitment to high-quality teaching and learning. Since 2022, I have been actively engaged with the United Nations Sustainable Development programme Future 17, further enhancing my ability to coordinate impactful sustainability research initiatives.

My doctoral research focused on developing biodegradable polymers to address plastic pollution, providing me with in-depth knowledge of sustainable materials science and experience managing interdisciplinary research projects. Leading collaborations across chemistry, environmental science, and industry sectors strengthened my skills in project management, stakeholder engagement, and effective communication to both academic and non-specialist audiences.

Through my involvement with Future 17, I have gained practical experience facilitating workshops and fostering partnerships between researchers, policymakers, and community leaders, aligning academic research with the UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs). This has furthered my passion for embedding sustainability principles into research culture and practice within higher education institutions.

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As an AFHEA, I am dedicated to promoting inclusive and engaging learning environments that empower researchers and students to integrate sustainability into their work. I understand that universities play a critical role in advancing sustainability through interdisciplinary collaboration, innovation, and societal impact.

My research focuses on the design, synthesis, and application of advanced nanomaterials—including oxides, chalcogenides, multi-anion compounds, intermetallics, hydrogels, and functional polymers—to drive innovation in renewable energy technologies. I work across the full R&D spectrum, from material synthesis and structural/chemical characterisation to device integration and performance evaluation, with applications spanning photovoltaics, photothermal systems, photocatalysis, agrivoltaics and passive cooling. A central theme of my work is the development of smart and responsive nanocomposites tailored for solar energy harvesting and conversion. This includes the creation of next-generation materials for solar windows, enabling energy-efficient building-integrated photovoltaics (BIPV) and photothermal coatings. My work extends to molecular fuel production, such as solar-driven hydrogen generation, and photocatalytic degradation for environmental remediation. I actively contribute to advancing technologies from TRL 2–5, progressing novel concepts through lab-scale validation and prototype-level testing, with a strong emphasis on real-world applicability, stability, and scalability. By combining fundamental materials chemistry with systems-level thinking, my research supports the development of sustainable, multifunctional materials for clean energy and environmental impact reduction.

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Additionally, I incorporate Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion (EDI) principles into impact and engagement strategies, ensuring research projects consider diverse perspectives and contribute to inclusive societal benefits. I have experience supporting initiatives that embed EDI values into research management, enhancing both the quality and reach of research impact.

My experience also includes managing impact reporting and engagement activities that highlight economic contributions—such as spin-outs and industry collaborations—as well as social and environmental outcomes like community health initiatives and environmental sustainability programmes. This holistic approach ensures that research impact is recognised and valued across multiple dimensions.

I keep abreast of evolving REF policies and sector best practices through ongoing professional development and collaboration with research management networks, allowing me to provide informed advice and support to academic colleagues and institutional leaders.