Interview conducted by Lexie CornerMay 28 2024In an interview following ChemUK 2024, we spoke with Dr. Alan Wiles, Director of Operations for ScotChem. He discussed the organization's mission, significant community impact, and ongoing efforts to enhance innovation and collaboration within Scotland's chemical sciences sector.
Can you introduce yourself and your professional background?
I am Dr. Alan Wiles, Director of Operations for ScotChem. I am a research chemist by training, working in organic electronic materials.
I joined ScotChem in 2020 to support early career chemistry researchers and work more closely in connecting academia and industry.
Can you summarize ScotCHEM's mission and its pivotal role in Scotland's chemical sciences sector?
ScotChem is the strategic alliance for the chemical sciences in Scotland. We connect industry, academia, government, the third sector, and communities, growing the chemical sciences sector.
We achieve this by supporting collaboration between academic and industry partners, working with the Scottish and UK governments to connect with industry, and promoting the chemical sciences to wider communities.
How does ScotCHEM support the transition of academic research into viable commercial ventures, particularly through university 'spin-in' and 'spin-out' initiatives?
A core function of ScotChem is to support the discovery and translation of research into real-world applications.
Our ScotChem INDUSTRIES provides support, especially to Small and Medium-sized Enterprises (SMEs), by connecting them with academic expertise to solve their chemistry-related challenges, and by connecting researchers with companies across all scales to support research translation across Technology Readiness Level (TRL) levels. We also connect our companies within our broader network of government departments, non-governmental organizations (NGOs), local authorities, and more.
We provide training using our network of industry members so that academics can better understand the commercialization process. Activities range from networking events to entrepreneurial bootcamps and masterclasses.
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Could you detail ScotCHEM's role in helping start-ups secure funding and navigate the scaling-up process?
ScotChem focuses on ensuring that start-ups have access to the right levels of critical commercial expertise.
This support can range from providing expertise in Intellectual Property (IP) strategy, valuation, and tax incentives to recommending funding routes (especially those available in Scotland) and offering advice on developing company communications to increase their visibility.
Our network can also help companies navigate relocation and expansion by connecting them to local authorities in Scotland.
In what ways does ScotCHEM engage with policymakers to create a supportive environment for innovation in the chemical sciences?
ScotChem is crucial in representing Scotland’s chemical sciences sector to the Scottish government. We do this through interactions across all relevant government departments and through the ScotChem Chemical Sciences Industry Leadership Group (ILG).
The ILG, instigated and co-chaired by ScotChem, links the chemical sciences industry to the Scottish government with high-level ministerial involvement, helping to set national agendas for the chemical sciences.
Additionally, ScotChem advocates for the sector at the UK level, collaborating with government departments, Research and Technology Organizations (RTOs), and funding agencies to enhance the environment for innovation.
For example, we are currently working with the Henry Royce Institute for Advanced Materials to develop a new National Materials Innovation Strategy. This industry-led strategy will underpin a supportive innovation environment for materials across all industrial sectors.
How does ScotCHEM work to integrate academia, industry, and government to foster a cohesive innovation ecosystem?
ScotChem’s primary purpose is to connect academia, industry, and government, fostering a cohesive innovation system. We achieve this by building strong relationships across these sectors and taking the initiative to convene the right stakeholders in networks, partnerships, and collaborations.
We pride ourselves on knowing the players in each sector and gauging the optimal time to bring them together to build our connected innovation ecosystem.
What skills are crucial for the future workforce in the chemical sciences, and what initiatives has ScotCHEM launched to support skill development?
All industries across all sectors identify an appropriately skilled workforce as crucial to delivering and adopting innovation. The requirements are wide-ranging, including building on existing skills, developing new skills, and delivering skills training.
Some skills capabilities, such as digital skills, are cross-cutting, while other areas require specific new skills that vary across sectors. These could include new types of career pathways and qualifications, upskilling or reskilling the existing workforce, or completely new job roles.
A key role of ScotChem is to identify specific skills needs and collaborate with educational providers to create integrated education and career pathways. These pathways are designed to maximize economic and societal benefits from emerging job opportunities facilitated through the ScotChem ILG.
How does ScotCHEM engage with communities and the public to promote inclusivity and support for the chemical sciences?
Another strategic aim for ScotChem is to promote the chemical sciences to wide audiences and across communities, especially focusing on reaching under-represented communities.
We run school programs, facilitating researchers and industry experts to be more involved in supporting teachers and students in understanding important issues (such as net zero).
We also run broader community activities to engage young people and their families in STEM. For example, one of our current programs uses the expertise of chemists who are also accredited magicians to teach basic scientific principles through magic tricks. This program has proved to be our most popular to date!
What emerging areas or challenges is ScotCHEM prioritizing to enhance innovation and support within Scotland’s chemical sciences sector?
Sustainability is probably the biggest challenge for the chemical sciences sector. Almost every company in every sector is impacted by sustainability measures, and the chemical sciences are fundamental to achieving net zero.
However, this presents numerous opportunities for our industries and researchers to lead the global effort in finding sustainable solutions, ranging from energy to waste valorization. Each challenge offers a chance to innovate, particularly in creating value through a more circular economy.
ScotCHEM hosted an expert panel session at CHEMUK this year. Could you highlight the session's key focus and its importance for the chemical sciences community?
ScotChem’s mission is to connect key players across industry, academia, government, the third sector, and communities.
The UK is great at discovery—finding new products and processes. What we are less good at is commercializing these brilliant discoveries. A joined-up innovation system is critical to achieving economic and societal benefits from our discoveries.
The panel session was designed to highlight how start-ups and micro companies can navigate the UK innovation system. The participants were carefully chosen for their expertise in the various parts of the innovation ecosystem.
It is critical that the UK has a cohesive innovation ecosystem and that innovators know how and where to access the relevant parts of that ecosystem.
What advice would you give researchers and entrepreneurs embarking on their innovation journey, and how can they leverage ScotCHEM's resources and support?
We advise our researchers and entrepreneurs to contact ScotChem as early as possible in their journey. We are here to make connections, provide direct advice and expertise, or direct them to relevant expertise beyond ScotChem.
We are here to help, and it is never too early to engage with us!
About Dr. Alan Wiles
Dr. Alan Wiles graduated high school in France with a baccalauréat in Science and Engineering. He then graduated with a BSc Hons in Chemistry (Heriot-Watt) and an MPhil in organic synthesis (Manchester University), completing his education by achieving a Ph.D. in organic electronics (University of Glasgow).
Dr. Wiles then continued his academic career as a researcher at the University of Glasgow, researching organic electronic materials in energy harvesting, energy storage, and other optoelectronic applications.
He then moved to ScotChem in 2020 to provide more support to early career researchers within ScotChem. As director of operations, Dr. Wiles has greatly increased ScotChem's reach and recognition beyond its academic networking roots and is now responsible for the entire portfolio of activities that ScotChem delivers.
Where can readers find more information?
Website: Scotchem.ac.uk
ScotCHEM on linkedin: https://www.linkedin.com/company/scotchem/
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