OU academic talks comets and Welsh whisky at Senedd event

On Tuesday 13 June, The Open University in Wales joined the Royal Society of Chemistry at the Welsh Parliament for its annual Science in the Senedd event. The showcase featured organisations across the Welsh science and engineering community, and is designed to further cooperation between scientists and policymakers. This year’s event focused on ‘STEM driving the economy; and do we have the STEM workforce for the future?’

The OU’s Dr Geraint Morgan gave a talk titled Down to Earth: From sniffing comets and meteorites to submarines and Welsh Whisky. He was joined by Professor Jas Pal Badyal, Chief Scientific Adviser for Wales, who gave a keynote speech, and event sponsor David Rees MS.

Dr Morgan is active in analytical chemistry and the space technology at the OU. Some of his work has included:

• developing instruments for the Rosetta and Beagle2 space missions
• successfully analysing a comet
• leading research teams to develop a range of high-impact, sector disruptive solutions to terrestrial challenges
• developing an award-winning air quality monitoring system for use on all future UK submarines.

More recently Dr Morgan has worked with emerging industries in Wales, including Ceredigion-based whisky company In the Welsh Wind.

Michelle Matheron, Assistant Director, External Affairs at The Open University in Wales said

"The annual event with the Royal Society of Chemistry gives the OU in Wales an excellent opportunity to showcase our scientific research and to highlight the importance of STEM subjects to the Welsh economy. Dr Morgan’s research and knowledge exchange activities show the real life applications of space technology and it is fantastic to see this making a difference to Welsh businesses.”