The chemistry department has expertise in three research theme areas: health, energy and materials. Research in our department also aligns with Energy Lancaster and the Materials Science Institute.

As part of the chemistry department's wider engagement agenda, and to expand our relationship with industry we have created a Chemistry-Industry Advisory Board. This board is composed by a balanced number of local and national UK companies with expertise in different areas, as well as representation from the university's Science and Technology Partnerships and Business Engagement Team, the Heads of Department and members of the Management Team of the Department of Chemistry (Directors of Research, Teaching, Engagement and Employability) and the Chemistry Industrial Placement Officer.

The Board meets three times a year in person and in hybrid format to strengthen relationships and to make sure that our research and teaching fully align with industrial needs in the future.

The role of the Industrial Advisory Board within the Chemistry Department at Lancaster University is:

• To participate in the Development of and Approval of strategic plans, growth plans, proposals for schemes of study and major research and impact initiatives in the context of maximising industrial engagement across the school’s research, teaching and engagement agendas.
• To assist the school in maximising its value to industry - promoting opportunities to students and staff, integrating industrial case studies and projects into the school’s portfolio and brokering wider industrial engagement.
• To advise and share best practice around Equality, Diversity and Inclusivity within all business streams.

Outcomes from IAB since its constitution in October 2023

• A survey of graduate skills was conducted and the data and results are available in a news article.
• Many of our members have offered to be involved in teaching events - workshops and seminars are being organised for next year for undergraduate and postgraduate research students.
• Several of our members have offered to sponsor oral and poster presentations by undergraduate and postgraduate research students at future events, the first being the department’s postgraduate research/staff conference on 11th September 2024.
• Organisation of an academia-industry symposium that will take place on the 12th September 2024:

Expected benefits to both parties

For Lancaster University

• Access to potential partners for major initiatives (research, infrastructure, commercialisation)
• Industrial contribution to working policies
• Industrial input to strategic plans
• Source of undergraduate and postgraduate industrial placements
• Contributor to outreach metrics
• Contributor to world rankings (private sector income)
• Source of CPD delegates and student sponsorship
• Assist with EDI targets (student, staff) and improve research environment

For Industrial Members

• Access to university facilities including networks, library resource, and incubator space
• Access to experts
• Access to the student base for recruitment
• Opportunity to influence the educational process in the context of employer requirements
• Access to laboratories and equipment
• Access to and influence over continuing professional development opportunities for their staff
• Opportunity to sponsor academic staff - e.g. The [Name of Company] Chair in [Subject] Chemistry
• Access to assistance associated with meeting EDI targets