Winner: 2024 Inspirational Member Award
Susan Rudlin
University of Reading and RSC Thames Valley Local Section
For dedication to the success and inclusivity of the education and outreach activities in the Thames Valley Local Section.
Susan Rudlin is a PhD student at the University of Reading looking at ways to incorporate house cricket powder or its isolated protein into food products. The expanding world population means that we need to find more sustainable sources of protein to provide nutritious food for everyone and the house cricket is one insect that has potential to be part of the solution.
Biography
Susan Rudlin found science a little later in life and claims she is the least likely candidate to have even considered chemistry, having avoided the subject at school! She is currently a second-year FoodBioSystems DTP PhD student at the University of Reading researching the functionality of cricket protein for future food applications under Associate Professor Afroditi Chatzifragkou and industrial partners Hop® and Edibl®. Underpinning her work is the distinction she achieved in her MSc in Food Science, also at Reading, and the seven years spent studying for her BSc in Natural Sciences (Chemistry) at the Open University alongside her full-time job. Before developing her love of science, she had a longstanding successful career as a professional facilities manager in commercial organisations. As a keen volunteer and a member of the RSC Thames Valley Local Section, Susan aims to spark an early curiosity for science in young people by championing education outreach activities: working with the Universities of Reading and Oxford, Susan delivers hands-on science events for school students. One event saw students win an inspiring hands-on experience at The Fat Duck development kitchen. As a former Brown Owl, she is committed to her home community and is a founding member of the committee that has saved the last village pub. She also organises the quarterly community café and is an active participant in the Neighbourhood Plan steering group.
I would love to see RSC champion a national outreach activity for Years 7 and 8 to get this younger age group properly involved and excited by chemistry.
Susan Rudlin
Q&A with Susan Rudlin
What inspired or motivated you to volunteer with the RSC?
The Thames Valley Local Section advertised for volunteers to take on education outreach, and the rest is history. Having come to science later in life, it was a golden opportunity to share my newfound enthusiasm and spark curiosity in others.
What has been the biggest challenge when volunteering?
It is an enormous challenge to get state schools involved in events; they seem to have far more hurdles to jump (funding, staff availability, paperwork, etc.) to bring students out of the classroom.
Tell us about something you are excited for/would like to see next (either in the RSC member networks, or more widely in science).
I would love to see RSC champion a national outreach activity for Years 7 and 8 to get this younger age group properly involved and excited by chemistry.