Serena Best started her journey in the industry with a degree in Material Science. She later went on to have a successful career earning her the award of a CBE. With her recent appointment as President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and active participation on committees for the Royal Academy of Engineering, she has gained a broader perspective on the status of science and engineering across the UK and worldwide.
Our reporter Grace Nolan talked with her to find out more about her role in the industry.
Q: Could you tell me about your background and how you got to your current role?
I have a degree in Materials Science from the University of Surrey. While I was an undergraduate, I attended a lecture given by Professor Bill Bonfield about bone replacement, which inspired me to study for a PhD at Queen Mary, University of London. Following that, I worked at the Cookson Group for a short time, before returning to London to run the Bioceramics research activity for the IRC in Biomedical Materials. In 2000, I moved to Cambridge to take up a lectureship in the Department of Materials Science - and I am still here today!
Q: Do you have any qualifications relevant to your current job role? If so, could you tell me how you received them?
My degree in Materials Science was an important starting point. During my PhD, I needed to understand the production and sintering behaviour of ceramics in more detail and this underpinned much of my career until 2000.
I recognised the importance of professional qualifications and was awarded C.Eng. status during that time. The requirements for C.Eng. are set out by the Engineering Council, but in general people who qualify are actively involved in some aspect of the Engineering discipline and have some level of management and budgeting responsibility.
This also brings into focus the importance of continuing professional development. Eventually, based on the practical implementation of the results of my research, I was elected as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering.
Since moving to Cambridge, I have worked closely with Ruth Cameron, together, we run the Medical Materials Group, which focuses on a range of different materials for tissue repair and regeneration. We currently hold a joint Professorial Fellowship from EPSRC, for our collagen research.
Q: What does a typical day consist of in your role?
Much of my day is spent reading, writing, but most of all, talking either in lectures, supervisions (tutorials), research meetings, administrative meetings within my Department and across the University of Cambridge. However, I particularly enjoy the research meetings that I have with the members of my research group, since this gives me the chance to think about science and engineering with very bright people. It also helps to focus my mind on the next areas of research that I should be following up with grant applications. I also travel quite often, both in the UK and abroad. I am an evaluator for various grant awarding bodies and have external advisory positions in Sweden and Hong Kong. I have research links with universities overseas and also travel for conferences from time to time.
In the UK, I am President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining and on committees for the Royal Academy of Engineering. These activities give me a broader perspective on the status of science and engineering across the UK and worldwide.
Q: What has been your career highlight so far?
The highlight must be the award of a CBE and a visit to Buckingham Palace with my family to receive this.
Q: What is the biggest challenge you have faced in your career so far?
Probably, like many parents, the challenge has been to make sure that my family has had sufficient priority alongside my career. This has worked very well and I returned to work part time following the birth of each of my sons, via the helpful and flexible approach offered by both universities.
Q: What is your opinion on gender roles in the industry?
Working in the Biomaterials field has meant that there has never been a shortage of women in research groups. More broadly, in the Department of Materials in Cambridge, there is an excellent gender balance (with equality and diversity high on our agenda) and there are a significant number of women holding professorial positions. This situation may not be the case everywhere, but I have been very fortunate to work with excellent colleagues.
Q: Have you ever been in a situation at work where you have felt your gender has affected your progress?
I have only ever had positive experiences related to gender issues. I realise that I have, perhaps been fortunate, but I have always had very good support and mentorship that has encouraged me to take on new challenges and new roles.
Q: What advice would you give to women entering a male dominated environment?
Finding a good (male or female) mentor will always help. Probably the best advice is to ensure that you work to the best of your ability and, that way, you can have confidence that you are contributing fully and therefore hopefully, gender becomes irrelevant.
Q: How important do you feel female role models are to the younger generation and did you have one?
There were fewer female role models than there are now, when I started my career in the 1980s. At that time, I felt that those successful people were a little "scary."
My mentors have always been male – and I don’t think that the gender of the mentor matters, provided the advice and encouragement is good. There are many more examples of very successful women now – most of whom would be very happy to give support and advice, if asked.
Perhaps we need examples of role models at various stages of their career. That way, some of the role models would not be too far removed from people just starting out, and the career path of the role models will be relevant to the aspirations of those people early in their career.
Q: Do you feel there is enough information/opportunities for the next generation to be encouraged to have a career in the plastics industry? If no-what more do you feel could be done?
The more information that we can provide the better! Case studies are always helpful, to ensure that the breadth of jobs available in the plastics industry is made clear.