Sustainable futures
Closing the net zero skills gap
We need highly trained people to roll out net zero technologies across society and the economy. Universities for Nottingham, a strategic partnership between the University of Nottingham and Nottingham Tent University, is working with industry partners to secure the next generation of innovators who will help deliver a prosperous, sustainable future.
The challenge: the UK needs skilled chemists, engineers and innovators who understand the challenges of sustainability and resilience
Synthetic fuels, renewable polymers, next-generation battery materials and other innovations by experts in sustainable chemistry will help the UK decarbonize and hit net zero targets. But a highly skilled workforce is essential if such discoveries are to be rolled out by industry and without access to a production line delivering people with expertise and knowledge, businesses will lose their competitive edge, and industrial regions such as the East Midlands risk falling behind in the race to net zero.
Our response: training the sustainable innovators of tomorrow
Universities for Nottingham host a nationally significant portfolio of doctoral training centres, underlining our commitment to training the innovators of tomorrow who will help the UK tackle large-scale, complex challenges and secure a skills-rich, sustainable economy.
Among these is the Centre for Doctoral Training (CDT) in Resilient Chemistry (Feedstock to Function), also known as the CDT-F2F, which is aligned to deliver graduates with exquisite skillsets that are bespoke to the delivery of innovation and excellence in molecular sciences. This key defining commonality will help drive the systemic decarbonization of chemicals manufacturing and underpin a drive towards net zero. CDT-F2F represents a consortium of educators spanning both universities within the city of Nottingham working together with over 20 strategic partners that represent all sectors of the chemicals enterprise. The CDT is core funded by the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC), reaffirming our city, and our universities, as a leader in training the next generation of chemists focused on sustainability.
The CDT-F2F will:
- focus on green chemistry: the CDT-F2F has a specific focus on green and sustainable chemistry – the design, development and implementation of chemical processes that minimize environmental impact, while driving economic activity and supply chain security.
- offer transatlantic collaboration: We are partnered with Yale University in the United States as a co-applicant for the CDT-F2F, exposing students to cutting-edge research from both sides of the Atlantic.
- foster a sense of community through cohort-based training: the CDT-F2F goes beyond traditional doctoral training by fostering a strong sense of community among students. Students participate in a structured cohort-wide training programme, building networks and fostering collaboration throughout their doctoral studies.
- encourage industry engagement: the CDT-F2F helps bridge the gap between academia and industry. Our programme has secured partnerships with leading chemical companies across our region. These collaborations will provide students with real-world research opportunities and ensure their skills align with industry needs.
The CDT-F2F represents a pivotal step towards equipping the next generation of chemists with the knowledge and tools to drive sustainable change in the chemical sector. By fostering collaboration and innovation, we aim to empower these future leaders to play a critical role in achieving net zero in the East Midlands and beyond.
Potential impact: a sustainable future for the East Midlands
The CDT-F2F has the potential to create a significant and lasting impact:
- Skilled workforce for a sustainable future: The programme will train a new generation of highly skilled chemists equipped with the expertise in green chemistry needed to develop and implement sustainable manufacturing processes. This skilled workforce will be essential for driving innovation and greening the chemical industry in the region.
- Economic growth and job creation: The transition to a net-zero economy presents exciting new opportunities for business development. The CDT-F2F graduates, with their expertise in sustainable chemistry, will be well-positioned to lead these advancements, fostering economic growth and creating new jobs in the region.
- A model for national and global impact: The CDT-F2F serves as a model for other universities and regions looking to develop a skilled workforce for a sustainable future. The programme's innovative approach and collaborative spirit can be adopted to address similar challenges across the UK and globally.
- Contribution to net zero goals: By contributing to the development of sustainable chemical processes, the CDT-F2F graduates will play a vital role in reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero goals in the East Midlands and beyond.
Professor Pete Licence, Director of the CDT, said: “The EPSRC CDT in Resilient Chemistry, which will train multidisciplinary scientists and engineers to deliver truly sustainable solutions to some of the chemicals industries biggest challenges, from Feedstock to Function. In partnership with research leaders from around the world we will attack some of society’s biggest challenges including synthetic fuels, renewable polymers and next generation battery materials to secure jobs, productivity, and growth.”
Professor Julie Beth Zimmerman, Vice Provost of Planetary Solutions at Yale University said: “We are excited to join this transatlantic collaboration which will inspire the next generation of scientists and engineers to deliver resilient planetary solutions to the grand challenges of society. The application of Green Chemistry solutions will provide better routes to sustainable manufacturing while achieving our commitments towards net zero.”
Pete Licence
Pete Licence is a Professor of Chemistry and Director of the GlaxoSmithKline Carbon Neutral Laboratory for Sustainable Chemistry at the University of Nottingham.
Email: peter.licence@nottingham.ac.uk