Profile
Emma Spooner
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About Me:
I live with my partner in Sheffield, but my job is across the peak district as a researcher in the University of Manchester. I work on a new, exciting type of solar cell. In my free time I like gardening, playing guitar, baking bread and going for long walks in the countryside. 🎸🍞🌳
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I grew up in Sheffield and have always loved science and the world around me. I wanted to study science to understand how everything works, and to help make the world a better place. I did my degree at the University of York and my masters’ in Southampton, and then returned home to Sheffield for my PhD so I could spend more time with my family.
During my PhD here I met my girlfriend, who was also doing a PhD! She now works as a researcher at the University of Sheffield, and I commute to the University of Manchester to also work as a researcher, so that we can live together. 🌈
Outside of work I like weightlifting and running, along with making lots of yummy food and sourdough bread. I play guitar in a band that covers pop punk songs. I also love nature, and try to go for walks in the peak district whenever I can. This year I moved into a house with a garden and I have started to grow my own vegetables, including potatoes and lettuce. A new hobby I have taken up this year is watchmaking!
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My pronouns are:
she/her
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My Work:
I work on a special type of solar panel that can be see-through. Hopefully I will be able to use these to make solar windows!
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Solar panels/cells turn light from the sun into electricity. My research is based on ‘organic’ solar cells, that use polymers. By picking my materials carefully, I can change the colour of my solar cells- even making them transparent. A transparent solar cell could be stuck on a window, letting it produce electricity but still allowing people inside to see out!
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My Typical Day:
I like to get up early to go to the gym with my partner before work. I live in Sheffield but work in Manchester, so usually get on my train around 8am, and get into work around 9:30am. I either do some writing at my desk, or go into the lab to do experiments. Usually I get home around 6:30pm, and sometimes I work from home all day if I only have writing to do.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
I would like to use the money to organize visits for schools students to see University labs, and maybe even try some experiments out!
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Education:
Notre Dame High School: GCSE’s & A levels
University of York: Degree & Masters’
University of Sheffield: PhD
(A PhD is helpful if you want to keep doing scientific research at University, but is definitely not essential to do a job in science!)
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Qualifications:
GCSEs: 11
AS levels: Theology & Further Maths
(I definitely didn’t need these to do science!)
A levels: Chemistry, Biology & Maths
(Maths can be really helpful for any kind of science, but isn’t always essential)
MChem (Masters’ in Chemistry) with a year in Industry
PhD in Physics
(The higher qualification you do, the more specific it becomes, and the more important your ability to learn is, rather than what exactly you’ve studied. I did my PhD in a Physics department, but I didn’t even do a Physics A level! I’m working in an engineering department now, which is pretty different from my degree too.)
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Work History:
2016 – 2017: Masters’ research student- Merck Chemicals (Southampton)
2022: Product Manager- Ossila (Southampton)
(I did this for 3 months in between my PhD and my new job!)
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Current Job:
Researcher (postdoc) in the Electrical and Electronic Engineering department.
(This is part sponsored by a company in Manchester called Contra Vision)
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Employer:
The University of Manchester
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
solar cell enthusiast
What did you want to be after you left school?
Some kind of scientist
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Not very often, I was a bit of a goody-two-shoes!
If you weren't doing this job, what would you choose instead?
Musician or botanist
Who is your favourite singer or band?
Paramore
What's your favourite food?
Bread
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
More time in the day to do fun things and unlimited time with my family & loved ones (twice!)
Tell us a joke.
Once I was reading a book about helium, I just couldn't put it down!
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