IOM3 Investigates

In this episode in the WIM3 series, Dr Fiona C J Robinson FIMMM speaks with Dr Colleen Mann CEng FIMMM, Senior Consultant at Amentum and Vice President of IOM3, about her career journey and the experiences that have shaped it. From her early education to studying chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast and completing a PhD in nuclear materials science, Colleen reflects on a non‑linear path built o...

In this episode of IOM3 Investigates, we explore the New European Bauhaus (NEB) initiative that is bringing together sustainability, design, culture and community to reshape the built environment. Tia Byer (Journal Relationship Manager, IOM3), hosts a conversation with Professor Andreja Kutnar (University of Primorska, Slovenia), a leading researcher in sustainable materials and contributor to the...

In this episode, Head of Design Lara Collins speaks with Dr Joan Heggie, historian, researcher and curator of the 2025 exhibition Viva Talbot: Steelmaking, to explore the life, craft and legacy of a woman who captured the steel industry with exceptional technical precision. The discussion traces Talbot’s unconventional route into wood engraving, her family ties to ironmaster Benjamin Talbot, and h...

Chartership plays a central role in upholding professional standards, but what does it mean in practice today - and what stops people from pursuing it? In this discussion, our Director of Membership & Professional Standards Paul Skerry (CEng FICE FCInstCES FIMMM) talks to Sarah West (Head of Engagement & Policy, Science Council), Phil Underwood (CMktr, Engagement Manager, Society for the Environme...

Recorded as a webinar in September 2025 Artificial Intelligence is widely promoted as transformative, but how much of this promise holds true for geotechnical engineering? In this webinar recording, Dr Angus Maxwell and Dr Rich Laver from Maxwell GeoSystems Ltd explore where AI is already delivering practical benefits in ground engineering, where expectations may be overstated, and how reliable cu...

Ed Conway HonFIMMM, Economics Editor at Sky News and author of Material World, delivered his keynote presentation recorded live at M3P3 in November 2025. His book explores the six raw materials - sand, salt, iron, copper, oil, and lithium - that underpin modern life, from the concrete in our cities to the batteries powering the green transition. Ed takes us on a journey behind the scenes of global...

Recorded live in July 2024 In this special panel episode, Christine Blackmore (BSc MSc CEnv CSci FIMMM) and Colin Church (FIMMM CEnv) are joined by four leading voices in the mining sector to explore the critical challenges and opportunities shaping the industry over the next ten years. With a live audience, the panel brings together diverse perspectives from across the sector: The Mining Major Pe...

In this episode, Jamie Graham speaks with Tyler Harvey-Cowlishaw, Founder of the Science Apprenticeship Forum, and Catherine Perry, Professional Registration Specialist at the Royal Society of Chemistry, about the evolving landscape of science apprenticeships and professional development. Tyler shares her journey through apprenticeships, how they fit into family life, and how this led to founding...

Rewinding to our first episode of IOM3 Investigates, our CEO Dr Colin Church CEnv FIMMM speaks to Professor Margaret Bates FIMMM, who was at the time Executive Director at On Pack Recycling Label (OPRL).This re-edited episode touches on recycling habits, greenwashing, and finding the right balance in packaging manufacture. Originally published in June 2020, you can listen to the original episode i...

Exploring the issues and opportunities behind bringing scientific innovation out of academia and into the public realm. Sarah Morgan invites a dialogue between David Giltner, Professor Charlotte Deane and Gareth Cave. Future Materials, Minerals & Mining events: www.iom3.org/events-awards/fm3.html Materials, Minerals & Mining for People, Places, Planet (M3P3): www.iom3.org/events-awards/m3p3.html M...

A discussion of current affairs, news and forthcoming events with a glance at careers in defence with the Student & Early Career (SEC) Group of IOM3. From BAE systems come Dr Euan Grey and Antonia Fan. Dr Ilija Rasovic from Birmingham University completes the line up with IOM3 host, Jamie Graham. Links: The Student & Early Career (SEC) Group represents the views of student and early career members...

Historically, some industrial activities have elicited strong views from the public. Finding the balance between interest and accessibility without bias can be a challenge. Understandably, many companies are nervous of lighting the touchpaper of public opinion and over time this reticence about sharing the details of industrial processes can lead to a lack of public understanding about how things...

Rewind to 2020. In this re-edited episode first published in 2020, Colin Church is joined by Adam Read (External Affairs Director at Suez Recycling and Recovery UK) and Linda Barron (Co-founder of Barron Gould, and founding partner of MaDE) as we discuss 'Design for End of Life' - the importance of better product design choices to enable a more sustainable and circular economy. The original episod...

Jude Allan MIMMM, Chair of the IOM3 Packaging Group, chats with Jake Inglis, 2022 Starpack Students Competition sponsor’s award winner on his experience, the Starpack Students Competition, progress since and a future career in packaging. Links: Student Starrpack:bit.ly/StarpackStudents Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic....

Fiona Robinson is joined by Jess Middlemiss, CTO of Pure Affinity, a UK engineering company that designs and develops absorbent media to remove PFAS from water. Jess talks us through her career from study at Imperial College London, through roles at Rolls Royce, Dyson and Sartorius. A keen supporter of young engineers Jess recognises the value of mentors and strong support networks. Links Pure Aff...

In this engaging conversation, Paul Skerry of IOM3 and Mark Shayler of Ape explore the intersections of packaging, sustainability, and innovation, reflecting on their initial chance encounter. Mark shares insights from his extensive experience, emphasising the importance of creativity and disruption in presentations. They discuss the critical role of carbon emissions in sustainability, the positiv...

IOM3 President Christine Blackmore describes her career to date and the aims of her presidency. Watch the full version on the IOM3 site. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Dr Ilija Rasovic MIMMM, Chair of SEC Group, chats with Silver Medal recipients Dr Matthew Wadge MIMMM and Dr Han Zhang CEng CSci MIMMM on IOM3 Awards & Prizes, Competitions and membership. Links: IOM3 Student and Early Career Group: https://www.iom3.org/group/student-early-career-group.html Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmm...

In the latest in our series of interviews with inspiring women in our field, Dr Emma Claxton of Rolls-Royce plc talks to Fiona Robinson about her role on the UltraFan Project as Programme Manager for Composite Fan rig testing and how she got there. Emma received the Verulam Medal & Prize for Ceramics in 2022. Links: Advances in Mining Technology & Mineral Supply https://www.iom3.org/events-awards/...

Christine Blackmore, President of IOM3; Colin Comberbach, Chair of the IOM3 Mining Technology Group (MTG) and Andrew Fulton, President of the Mining Association of the UK, discuss the global value of mining and the importance of building a strong professional workforce. They preview a forthcoming event Advances in Mining Technology & Mineral Supply, being organised by the IOM3 Events team and the...

A Life cycle assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impacts of a product or service. This podcast with Diane Aston, Sophie Parsons and Louis Brimacomb gives a brief overview of key elements, why someone would want to complete an LCA, and what the limitations are. Links: Careers and learning from IOM3 https://www.iom3.org/careers-learning/trainingacademy.html Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or...

Alex Brinded, a journalist on the Institute's member magazine Materials World, asks three key figures from the foundation industries how the sector can fuel switch, to decarbonise. He is joined by Dr Lucy Smith - Head of Commercial at the UK Materials Processing Institute in Teesside, Dr Andrew McDermott - Deputy Chief Executive at Ceramics UK and a Fellow of IOM3 and Michael Conroy - Manager of E...

In the latest in our series of interviews with inspiring women in our field, Emily Walport, an engineer specialising in low-impact materials, discusses her journey in the field and the evolving role of engineering. Emily shares her passion for material science and the intersection of design and sustainability. She emphasises the importance of holistic evaluation in material selection and the need...

As Sarah Boad hands over her role as IOM3 Membership Development Manager to Jamie Graham, IOM3 Investigates finds out how the role has developed, what Sarah will do next and where Jamie is beginning his IOM3 journey. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What are the issues behind neurodiversity in STEM? Katy Deacon, Associate Professor Asiya Khan and Martin Griffins discuss for IOM3 Investigates. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/