Developing Commercial Awareness in Chemistry Undergraduates

School of ChemistryFACULTY OF MATHEMATICS AND PHYSICAL SCIENCES

Dr Samantha PughFaculty of Mathematics and Physical SciencesUniversity of Leeds, UK@SamLP

Year 2 - Chemistry: Idea to MarketAn industrial case study-based approach to new product development

Year 3 - Chemistry: Making a DifferenceImpact and Entrepreneurship for Chemists

The Chemistry Approach

Chemists know how to “make things”Chemists don’t know how to make money!Students need to develop:

Commercial awareness Team working skills Presentation skills Persuasive skills

Chemistry: Idea to Market rationale

A simulated case study Team-based project Taking a new “invention” to

market Closely emulates project

management in the Chemistry-related industries

Module concept – Innovation/enterprise

Industry Experts

How can chemistry be used to make a difference, or an impact? Good fit with the impact agenda Introduce social responsibility /ethical awareness Increase commercial awareness Further develop skills

Chemistry: Making a Difference rationale

Based on the RSC’s Priority Areas

Prepare a business plan for an area of research with impact/commercial potential

Close liaison with the Careers Centre business start-up unit, SPARK

Module concept - Entrepreneurship

Year 2

Group “Pitch to the Board” Group Portfolio

Personal reflective summary

The Assessments

The Assessments

Year 3

Group “Pitch to Investors” Business Plan

Personal reflective summary

Most students found the modules challenging, but this was why they valued them

Identified the opportunity to develop skills Positive outcomes w.r.t. placements

“Both the innovation and marketing workshops were led by employees of P&G and this inspired me to apply for consumer goods company placements... I am now looking forward to my secured year in industry placement at Unilever in research and development, a placement I was driven to apply for because of this module.”

Student Feedback

Idea to Market Royal Society of Chemistry National HE STEM

Programme

Dr Patrick McGowanDr Stephen Maw

Acknowledgements

Thank you!Samantha Pugh

Making a Difference The Higher Education

Academy

Dr Patrick McGowanDr Chris PaskProfessor Tina OvertonDr Paul Taylor