Tamsin Whitfield

Materials Scientist

I grew up interested in science and thought I would study Physics. While doing my A levels I went on a university taster course, only I was offered the Materials Science option rather than Physics. I decided to go anyway – and that course set the path I’ve gone on since!

I discovered Materials Science combined all I loved about science, covering a diverse range of scientific disciplines, but always being able to see a practical application. We might be doing quantum physics – but it would help design a computer chip, polymer chemistry – but it would make a water bottle, or mechanical testing – but it would become a hip replacement.

I went on to study Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, specialising in Materials Science, followed by a PhD looking at novel alloys for the highest temperature regions of airplane engines. I’ve continued working in and with industry since, looking to solve engineering challenges to enable sustainable technologies that will reduce our carbon footprint. I’m now a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at the University of Oxford, designing and optimising metals for extreme conditions including the core of a fusion reactor, aero-engines and developing new lightweight alloys.

I love introducing people to Materials Science, sharing the overlap between materials, our lives and global challenges. I’ve been involved with summer courses and talked at Cambridge Science Festival and IF Oxford (the Oxford Ideas festival). I enjoy looking at how our creativity and science intersect – one talk involved discussing with an artist the similarities between how they approach designing sculpture and how we design engineering materials! I also co-host the Fusion Industry School Oxford week working with professionals who are new to working in fusion power.