Dr Christian Bryant CSci, Director at SPECIFIC

Why did you decide to apply for professional registration?

I applied for the CSci award in 2004. Previously my career had a diverse path; from an academic background in physical sciences at Bristol (BSc Chemical Physics) and Cambridge Universities (PhD and Post-Doctoral studies in laser spectroscopy); through technical and commercial positions in engineering (British Steel and Philips Electronics) and latterly telecommunications at Swansea University.

At the time I worked at the Welsh Development Agency, my roles centring on strategic programme development and directing a pan-Wales HEI industry / academic link programme and I was also a knowledge transfer practitioner at the interface of academia and industry, delivering the commercial imperative to opportunities and promoting near market technologies from Welsh HEIs both in the UK and overseas.

The CSci award gave further impetus to my work covering the full span of physical and life sciences and engineering and enhanced my standing within a developing network of senior contacts in the private, public (SMEs and multinationals) and HE sectors.

What makes the Science Council’s Professional Registration award different to other registration awards you may be eligible to apply for?

The award and my subsequent upkeep of my CPD makes me feel involved and part of the Science Council’s work. Since my award, I have been fortunate to have been chosen as an independent assessor for the CSci award (My CPD has also been chosen to be reviewed too – so no escape there!).

It truly makes you reflect on your activities and your own CPD, regardless of what field you are in, and ask yourself critical questions to ensure you not only maintain an up to date record but are developing in your chosen scientific field.

How has Professional Registration with the Science Council made an impact on your work or career?

I am a Director at SPECIFIC at Swansea University. We are a UK Innovation and Knowledge Centre (IKC) and comprise a multidisciplinary mix of academics, researchers, engineers, system integrators, business development and commercialisation professionals and professional services staff within the College of Engineering. We develop technologies from laboratory scale research through pilot production to full building demonstration that primarily enable buildings to generate store and release their own solar energy. We collaborate with industry partners to take opportunities to market.

My CSci award and working practice reflects this multidisciplinary approach. It challenges me to keep abreast of technologies we develop in our goal of working towards the decarbonisation of heat and power.

Previously I participated in consortia that worked with organisations such as the Academy of Medical Sciences, Invest NI, The Royal Society and various UK HEIs. Having a CSci award was frequently positively commented on and I hope others followed me on this path too.

What do you value most from being a member of your professional body?

I attained the award of Chartered Physicist and have been a member of the Institute of Physics since 1997 (CPhys MInstP). Previously I had progressed as a student through the IOPs pathway.

My role currently involves working alongside researchers and academics. Knowing that someone who has possibly taken a different path to them understands and can occasionally give valuable input and direction to their work is seen as a positive thing by them.

I value the online training, the technology webinars and importantly my networking with policy makers and government in Wales. Over the various positions I have held, I have been heartened by (and did my bit in pushing) the importance of Physics (Science and Engineering in General) and physics based careers to the economy.

What would you say to any other scientist like yourself who is thinking about Professional Registration?

Do it!

Being professionally registered has been invaluable throughout the various positions I have held, as has the opportunity to champion the CSci award to others, to promote STEM to students of all ages; and in assisting in the Science Council through CPD re-evaluations of applicants.

Become professionally registered

Have you been inspired by Dr Christian Bryant? Find out how to apply to become a Chartered Scientist (CSci) here.