IChemE Matters - June 2026

Beyond the presidency

RAFFAELLA OCONE, ICHEME PRESIDENT

AS MY exceptionally busy presidential year draws to a close, it is natural to reflect on the achievements and challenges of the past 12 months. However, in this final blog (and I feel even a wee bit sad that this is my last one), I have chosen to look forward rather than backward – leaving, as one of my compatriot writers once described it, the “arduous sentence to posterity”.

It has been a tremendous honour to serve our membership. One of the most important lessons I have learned during this time, is that a president must listen. I do not see this as the end of my work with and for the membership; rather, I hope to continue engaging, listening and building upon several of the initiatives begun during my presidency.

I also hope my colleagues will forgive me if I return briefly to the subjects of academia and skills. As I wrote in one of my earliest blogs, without academics there will be no chemical engineers. This conviction has driven my determination to understand both the current state of our discipline and the direction in which it is heading.

It is for this reason that we launched the Presidential Inquiry into the status and sustainability of chemical engineering research, at a time when UK academia is facing significant challenges. The inquiry seeks to assess the current health and diversity of chemical engineering research in the UK; examine how effectively research activity aligns with national industrial, environmental, and societal priorities; evaluate existing funding structures, incentives and career pathways; explore the relationship between academia, industry and government in shaping research directions; and identify the strengths, challenges, risks and opportunities that lie ahead.

Many of you have already contributed to the first phase of this work; you can explore the initial findings on page 25. I would like to emphasise that this exercise is far from complete – indeed, it is only the beginning. I therefore encourage you to watch this space and, most importantly, to get involved. We are planning further activities and I hope to see strong engagement from the membership across the board.

This is not simply an academic exercise for academics alone. It concerns the future of our discipline: how it is evolving and how well prepared it will be to meet the demands of the future. Your voice and participation are essential.

Finally, I would like to express my sincere gratitude for the tremendous support I have received from so many of you, particularly those who have taken the time to engage and share your thoughts throughout the year. I look forward to continuing to work with you all, alongside our incoming president from June onwards.

If you would like to discuss any of the points raised or have ideas you would like to share, you can contact me at president@icheme.org

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How to enjoy a good relationship with government

MITCHELL CLARK, HEAD OF POLICY

AT A TIME when governments face increasingly complex technical and scientific challenges, understanding how engineers can meaningfully engage with public policy has never been more important.

Last month, I attended ChemEngDay at Birmingham University where we were fortunate to organise a panel to discuss how engineers can engage with public sector policy. The session featured an incredibly interesting conversation between Jonathon Radcliffe (University of Birmingham), Peter Styring (University of Sheffield, Great British Chemicals) and Parimala Shivaprasad (University of Nottingham) who provided their perspectives and experiences on working with government.

The discussion highlighted that while ministers are the more visible representatives of government (and do indeed make the big decisions), much of the most impactful work happens among the public servants within departments and ministries who develop and implement policy. For engineers looking to engage meaningfully with government, this is where the biggest contribution is to be had.

Two key messages emerged. The first is the importance of knowing your subject. Much of the value technical experts bring to policy discussions comes from their experience working at the metaphorical coal face and being able to see the practical implications of sometimes abstract policy decisions. Engineers therefore need both the expertise and the confidence to share it.

Soft skills and tacit knowledge should not be underestimated either. The skills chemical engineers use to solve practical process problems are remarkably similar to the skills that a policy professional uses to solves policy challenges. Throughout their careers, engineers also develop broader experience in economics, logistics, compliance and operations, all of which can be applied across many topics.

The second key theme was that effective engagement with policymakers depends on building strong relationships and trust over time. That is not just built on proving your knowledge but also that you are reliable, personable, able to manage your biases and, most importantly, understand your role. Panellists noted that relationships with government can quickly be undermined when individuals overstate their own importance and influence.

The session also highlighted the significant opportunities available for engineers to work with government. There are many grants, fellowships and placements that go under-prescribed because potential applicants underestimate the value of their expertise and the impact they can have.

I hope the session encouraged those in attendance to seek out these opportunities, as the potential impacts, both for the individual and society, are massive.

For more on our work: www.icheme.org/policy