Are the current global economic problems affecting funding in the UK?
I think we are already seeing the effect of the recession from an industrial funding point of view. The present (perceived or real) difficulties in gaining government funding stem from other reasons. I think we all recognise that, whatever the colour of the next UK government, there will be significant public sector cut-backs which must surely impact on the funds available to research councils. I also suspect – from a chemistry point of view – we will see more research funding focussed towards immediate or medium-term industrial or technological goals. This is not unreasonable of course, but we must continue to ‘horizon-scan’ as well as being a technological arm of the government. You have developed catalysts for the synthesis of environmentally-friendly and biodegradable polymers, how advanced is that area of research? I think my group’s contributions to this area are still in their infancy. But I am very excited by the opportunity to contribute to a field which can in principle help
