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Biography
Professor Farren is an experienced scientist, educator and business development professional. He has over thirty years' experience gained within both industry and academia of taking innovative concepts to commercial reality. As a senior manager with the Courtaulds Group (later Acordis PLC) he led business development activities within a wide variety of chemical, fibre and polymer products businesses and initiated several new ventures both within Europe and the USA. In 1999 Professor Farren and his team were awarded the Acordis prize for commercial innovation.
Professor Farren joined the University of Nottingham in 2001 to set up a Business Partnership Unit; the first such unit to be embedded within an academic School of Chemistry. The Unit has generated an entrepreneurial culture among staff and students, catalysing numerous patents, licences, and partnerships with industry. He has also been responsible for the formation of several spin-out companies, chairing the board of directors of CellAura Technologies Ltd. and successfully leading the company through two investment rounds to exit. Professor Farren has also acted as a director / professional advisor to several other businesses. He has also led the Chemistry Innovation Laboratory project, which promotes mutually beneficial partnerships between the School of Chemistry and regional SMEs.
Professor Farren has also mentored over forty post-doctoral Business-Science Fellows, helping to develop their innovation and entrepreneurial skills. Many of these individuals now hold key positions within industry and academia.
Professor Farren has pioneered the development of several business, innovation and entrepreneurship Teaching and Learning programmes for scientists within the HE sector. He has led the development, delivery and assessment of a range of new and unique curriculum interventions for Science students enabling them to explore, develop and practice business and entrepreneurial skills with direct relevance to their discipline and the chemistry-using industries. He is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has received the Dearing Award for his contributions to Teaching and Learning.
Outside of his professional commitments, Dr. Farren is a strong advocate of the performing arts, chairing the board of trustees of a registered charity that encourages individuals to play musical instruments and to bring music to a broad cross-section of the public.
Teaching Summary
Professor Farren has pioneered the development of several business, innovation and entrepreneurship Teaching and Learning programmes for scientists within the HE sector. He has led the development,… read more
Recent Publications
POLIAKOFF, M., FITZPATRICK, J.M., FARREN, T.R. and ANASTAS, P.T., 2002. Green chemistry: science and politics of change Science. 297(5582), 807-810 POLIAKOFF,M., FITZPATRICK,J.M., FARREN,T.R. and ANASTAS,P.T., 2002. Chemical emissions: An ongoing issue - Response Science. 298(5593), 542-542
Professor Farren has pioneered the development of several business, innovation and entrepreneurship Teaching and Learning programmes for scientists within the HE sector. He has led the development, delivery and assessment of a range of new and unique curriculum interventions for Science students enabling them to explore, develop and practice business and entrepreneurial skills with direct relevance to their discipline and the chemistry-using industries. He is a senior fellow of the Higher Education Academy and has received the Dearing Award for his contributions to Teaching and Learning.