Some chemical engineering students and early-career industrialists considering a career in research have pre-conceived ideas and misconceptions about chemical engineering research. This project challenges these perceptions by highlighting the available career paths and the breadth and diversity of individuals within chemical engineering research.

This project (previously known as 'Challenging perceptions in chemical engineering research') follows on from the key findings of an initial survey conducted on the perceptions of chemical engineering research, which was reported on in this blog. From this, it was concluded that a project of further work should be conducted in order to give a more holistic view of what careers in chemical engineering research entail.

The project also aligns with two of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDG) in the following ways:

• SDG 8: Decent work and economic growth - by creating dialogue and awareness around opportunities for students and early careers.
• SDG 5: Gender equality - by ensuring diversity of input and engagement within the scope of the project.
  

Project objectives

1. To evaluate the perceptions and drivers for early career individuals and students in the UK and Ireland engaging with chemical engineering research.
2. To provide thought leadership on how IChemE can better engage with early career individuals and students on the topic of chemical engineering research.
3. To contribute to the wider engineering discussion on how education policy can be changed to better prepare students for a career in chemical engineering research.

Outputs

• A booklet that includes a series of case studies showcasing early careers researchers to highlight different career paths and the breadth and diversity of individuals in chemical engineering research. The booklet also gives an evaluation of the findings, conclusions and recommendations to IChemE on how to better engage with early careers individuals in the UK and Ireland, based on the case studies and a survey consultation.
• A webinar showcasing some case study examples and presentation of the conclusions and recommendations to IChemE on how to better engage with early careers individuals in the UK and Ireland.

Download the Career Journeys booklet

Timescales

The project team worked on these outputs in two parts, but they were delivered as one booklet.

For the series of case studies, the project team put a call out for early career members in the research community in February 2022 and then worked on a set of interview questions that were sent to selected early career researchers in July 2022. Responses to the case study interview questions were collated throughout Q3 2022.

Analysis of the survey was undertaken in Q1 2023 with the final booklet published late in 2023.

More information

If you would like to know more on this project, contact Charlotte Wessels at cwessels@icheme.org.