Save the Centre for Molecular Nanoscience at the University of Leeds

  • Author:
    Professor Rik Brydson
  • Send To:
    Deputy Vice Chancellor of the University of Leeds
  • Sponsored By:
    Centre for Molecular Nanoscience
  • More Info at:
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Nanoscience and Nanotechnology is a highly important cross-cutting thematic area for both Research and Research-led Teaching. At the January meeting of Senate, the Deputy Vice Chancellor announced a review of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology activities across the University of Leeds. At the University, the major collaborative focus for Interdisciplinary Research and Teaching in this area is the Centre for Molecular Nanoscience (CMNS) which is embedded within the School of Chemistry. We, the undersigned, believe that the staffing and space changes currently proposed as part of the Review of the School of Chemistry at the University will severely damage the ability of CMNS to operate as a coherent and outwardly-facing entity. In the interests of the University as a whole, we believe that these proposed changes should be, at least, postponed until the Review of Nanoscience and Nanotechnology activities across the University has been completed.

192 Signatures

  • Shane S
  • Lorna D
  • andy b
  • Professor Terry W
    • Comment
    • The timing of this decision seems at odds with the UK and EU Research and innovation policy directives issued recently. Nanotechnology and the manufacturing thereof is one of the UK's 4 highest innovation priorities for the next 4 years and one of the EU's 5 highest innovation priorities for 2014-2020, as announced respectively by UK Minister for Science David Willetts and EU Commissioner for Research & Innovation Maire Gheogehan-Quinn.
  • sergio
  • Amanda L
  • Ana M
    • Comment
    • I have really good memories about SOMS. I'm really proud of having belonged to an excellent teaching centre in Leeds Uni. It would be a shame if it is closed.
  • Daniel N
  • Stefan A
  • Qingshan M
  • Luke B
  • Liane G. B
  • J. C
  • khouler k
    • Comment
    • The CMNS play a role that should not be underestimated by providing a unique course set and equipment that supplements Sheffield in the area of Nanotechnology and Nanoscience. The diversity of the MSc course shared between the two Universities should not be stopped and I hope the review takes this into account.
  • Dr. Kashif S
    • Comment
    • I fully support this petition.
  • Sayyed Adam Q
  • Tom D
  • Adi Kelvianto H
  • Harriet D
  • Ben M
    • Comment
    • I graduated from CMNS with my Nanotechnology degree in 2010. I am now a PhD student at Imperial College London working on a highly multidisciplinary project that I feel I would not be able to complete without the diversity of subjects that were taught during my studies at the University of Leeds. I am often told by my colleagues in the chemistry department at Imperial that they wish they could have done my degree instead of chemistry, which I think is a testament to how special the Nanotechnology BSc is! I feel CMNS puts undergraduates in a very advantageous for the multidisciplinary challenges of the modern research environment and it would be a great shame to see it disappear.
  • Omar M
    • Comment
    • I am in my final year of the BSc nanotechnology course and there are thing that i love and dislike about the course but all it needs is more attention from the public figure, nanotechnology business will boom very shortly and will be the forefront of the future so instead of hindering the research, help the centre to give it the credit it deserves!
  • Matthew B
  • Elinor C
  • Thiago Araujo S
  • Chris T
  • Bamiduro T. F
  • Dorian D
  • Rozita Y
  • Matthew M
  • Kreya S
  • Michael T
  • Daniel W
    • Comment
    • I completed my BSc in Nanotechnology in the summer of 2010 and without it i do not believe i would have been as prepared for my Phd as I am. I decided to study at leeds for that course and that course alone and believe it would be a real shame for future students to not have the opportunity to take such an excellent course. I believe the quality of this course can only be achieved by retaining the current CMNS structure.
  • Joanna P
  • Laura B
  • Jack G
    • Comment
    • I Support the motion to prevent the closure of CNMS as having graduated my BSC in 2010 I feel my contemporaries were equipped with a genuine advantage having done the course, Though we may have found the format challenging at the time, most agree that for the ones who stuck with it have reaped rewards. Many of us are successful compared to other science graduates of our level, with many in all ready strong career paths and a high percentage including myself in Postgraduate Research.
  • NATALY
  • Emma M
  • Thomas R
    • Comment
    • The CMNS was the main, if not the only reason I came to study at Leeds. Thanks to it, a BSc in Nanotechnology can be conducted in a thorough and coherent manner. Very few other universities in the world carry a degree which allows students to study and do research into nanotechnology so early in their degree, which makes Leeds not only unique in the UK but ground-breaking worldwide. With new discoveries in this exciting new technology happening every day, Leeds needs to keep the CMNS in order to stay up to date.
  • Sara Allyson S
  • Daniel B
    • Comment
    • Save the CMNS!!!
  • Udayan C
    • Comment
    • Thank you for taking this cause up Professor Brydson ! I think I speak on behalf of all the Alumni associated with CNMS / SOMS, we all greatly appreciate all your sincere efforts. With heartfelt Gratitude to a great teacher Udayan Chandra
  • Charlie
    • Comment
    • I don't want CMNS to go!
  • Amanda K
  • Rosemary N
  • Ian M
  • Glen 'Gus Griswald' C
  • Noha
  • Adam C
  • Adam G
  • tomas l