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

  • Eliza D
  • aiswarya
  • Akbota A
  • Konstantinos C
  • Maharshi
  • Avinthri W
  • Anton G
    • Comment
    • It will be a grave mistake to make any changes which will ultimately damage CMNS. It has provided many students the change to learn something which is very rare amongst UK universities. I have found the teaching and experience as a whole invaluable. It is definitely hasty to make any decision before any review has been made. I believe that in fact CMNS' profile should be greatly increased and allow it to function as a wholly individual department, thus giving it and its students a greater sense of identity i.e. belonging to the Nanotechnology Department.
  • Roberts R
  • Clive W
  • Katarzyna T
  • Alison W
  • Dr Toby J
    • Comment
    • I was a PDRA in SOMS (as it was then known in the late 90's). It did then, and still does, excellent science. The concept of SOMS / CMNS is precisely the way we should be doing science: bringing disciplines together. The centre works extremely well and should be a model to other departments and Universities on how to organise science research. I am very disappointed that this highly successful centre is faced with closure. This would be a retrograde step and a great waste of the energy and effort of its staff member over the last 15 years.
  • Dr Andrew R
  • Michael E
  • Ruth B
  • Sarah H
    • Comment
    • CMNS (formally SOMS) have made a unique contribution to multidisciplinary science in the university, in many ways facilitated by its small size. Given that an increasing number of research proposals involve scientists from different disciplines, preserving the future of CMNS will strengthen research at Leeds.
  • A. A. B
  • Alex W
  • Almut B
  • Professor (Emeritus) Anthony C T N
    • Comment
    • I am very concerned that this is yet another proposed development that is causing counter-productive concern and depression among leading scientists in the University without proper regard for (or understanding of) the role that their work is contributing to the good standing of the University, nationally and internationally.
  • Michael R
  • Hugo C
    • Comment
    • The University of Leeds is yet again demonstrating how little it cares about the future of science and the working conditions of its academic staff.
  • R P W D
  • Nicola S
    • Comment
    • I have recently returned from a series of British Council recruitment fairs in India. There was interest in cross-disciplinary science, especially nanotechology at Masters level. Interesting, I did not recieve a single enquiry regarding studying Chemistry.
  • Gin J
  • Warren Y
    • Comment
    • At a time when greater emphasis on multidisciplinary research is encouraged, including through the increasing number of DTC PhD schemes, it does not seem a sensible long term decision to disband CMNS. Having given tutorials to BSc Nanotechnology students I was impressed by their wider thinking related to subject matter and greater applications of it. I think a lot of future potential within students will be lost if CMNS is closed.
  • Viv K
  • Cassey M
  • zoe l
  • Sarah S
  • Rebecca S
  • Dr Andrew S
    • Comment
    • Senior Lecturer, SPEME, Faculty of Engineering The Centre for Molecular Nanoscience has consistently attracted high quality, enthusiastic students to its associated undergraduate and postgraduate courses. Many of these students have prorgressed to excellent jobs in industry or to research positions within the university. I would be against any changes which dilute this centre of excellence in this valuable inter-disciplinary scientific area.
  • John P
    • Comment
    • Nanotech is one aspect of science that has a great future potental and to scrap this is ridiculous
  • Scott H
    • Comment
    • Someone explain to me how shutting these sorts of cutting edge departments makes any sense whatsoever.
  • John H
  • Richard Davies, M
  • John T
  • Naomi W
  • Stephen M
  • Dr. Aidan W
  • Dan O
  • Samantha P
    • Comment
    • It doesn't make sense to review it twice, once with chemistry and then again as a review of Nanoscience. Merging small departments into large ones does lead to a loss of identity, so the University really needs to decide if it wants to be recognised for its expertise in Nano. I suspect it should.
  • thomas m
  • David S
  • Eric B
  • Wooi Kiat T
  • Dr Rolf C
  • Suzanne O
  • Roger D
  • Dr N