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The University of Southampton
Chemistry

Southampton chemist takes his science to Parliament

Published: 12 March 2014
Dr Charlie Cummings

Dr Charlie Cummings, 27, a researcher at the University of Southampton is attending Parliament to present his science to a range of politicians and a panel of expert judges, as part of SET for Britain on Monday 17 March.

Charlie's poster on research into making new materials for the next generation electronic devices using supercritical fluid electrodeposition will be judged against dozens of other academics research in the only national competition of its kind.

Charlie was shortlisted from hundreds of applicants to appear in Parliament.

On presenting his science in Parliament, he said, "The SET for Britain event is a prestigious gathering whereby new and interesting science is presented to politicians and members of the public within Parliament. It's a great opportunity to communicate my research on supercritical fluid electrodeposition and explain the progress this technique has made within recent years. I can't wait!"

Andrew Miller MP, Chairman of the Parliamentary and Scientific Committee, said, "This annual competition is an important date in the parliamentary calendar because it gives MPs an opportunity to speak to a wide range of the country's best young researchers. 

"These early career engineers, mathematician and scientists are the architects of our future and SET for Britain is politicians' best opportunity to meet them and understand their work."

Charlie's research has been entered into the Chemistry session of the competition, which will end in a gold, silver and bronze prize-giving ceremony.

Judged by leading academics, the gold medalist receives £3,000, while silver and bronze receive £2,000 and £1,000 respectively.

Tom Crotty, Director of INEOS Group AG, sponsors of the Gold Medal in the Chemistry Section, said: "It is crucial that there continues to be investment in skills to provide the next generation of engineers and scientists, particularly as the age profile of highly skilled engineers continues to increase.

"For manufacturing to thrive, the UK needs a large and growing reserve of people with the knowledge and skills to deliver world-class manufacturing and research & development.

"We're delighted to support SET for Britain as an opportunity to celebrate the success of our early career scientists and we hope it will convince politicians to invest even greater effort to ensure the next generation of engineers and scientists come to the fore."

Professor Lesley Yellowlees, President of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: "Scientific research and innovation are fundamental to the UK's future and communicating the value of what scientists do is also fundamental. SET for Britain is a fantastic opportunity for talented young chemists to talk to our politicians and show them how their research has the potential to impact on our future. We have thirty chemistry students doing that this year and I'm really looking forward to hearing all about their exciting discoveries."

The Parliamentary and Scientific Committee run the event in collaboration with the Council for Mathematical Sciences, the Institute of Physics, The Physiological Society, the Royal Academy of Engineering, the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Society of Biology and the Society of Chemical Industry, with financial support from BP, the Clay Mathematics Institute, Essar, INEOS, Warwick Manufacturing Group (WMG), Germains Seed Technology, Boeing, the Bank of England and the Institute of Biomedical Science.

Scientific research and innovation are fundamental to the UK's future and communicating the value of what scientists do is also fundamental. SET for Britain is a fantastic opportunity for talented young chemists to talk to our politicians and show them how their research has the potential to impact on our future.

Professor Lesley Yellowlees - President of the Royal Society of Chemistry
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