CSci : About : Profiles

About CSci

Bob Sargent

CSci CEnv FCIWEM

CIWEM is in many ways a natural home for an environmental hydrologist like me, but I recognise it may not meet the needs of all people. CIWEM gained its charter in 1998 but has also been keen to promote the Science Council. I am now a Chartered Scientist as well as a chartered member of CIWEM, and its current President.

I work in a consulting environment, and being chartered is considered important by my employer. This is because of the need to present a project team which is clearly professionally capable. CSci is regarded by clients as similar to CEng and fits onto the staff profiles in project bids and presentations. It’s shorthand for a level of achievement, a professional approach and a commitment to continuing development.

As part of my work with CIWEM I am a member of the business and science professional board which assesses applications for membership of both CIWEM and CSci. This has led to a number of discussions about what is a scientist, and what should we expect a chartered scientist to be like? In my view a professional scientist is somebody who applies scientific principles in their work, by which I mean the collection and assessment of data, the formulation of theories and predictions, and the testing of them followed by the reassessment of results.

This, together with a scientific education and a commitment to continuing professional development, marks out a chartered scientist in my opinion. The CSci qualification clarifies and promotes these qualities and provides a common framework for practitioners regardless of their specialist subject.

In my present role I am responsible for the hydrology business in Hyder Consulting, a large international consultancy. My interests therefore include the presentation of a competent team to potential clients and the maintenance of acceptable levels of professional and technical performance. CSci helps in both these – it shows that our staff are professionally qualified to a high level and are committed to professional development. We often need to put together teams from a wide background to cover all the elements of a complicated brief. CSci provides a common level of achievement across many disciplines as well as equivalence with chartered engineers.

Bob Patton CSci CPsychol AFBPsS I have been a member of the BPS for over 20 years, as a student, a graduate member, an associate fellow and finally as a chartered psychologist.

Professor Stephen Palmer CSci CPsychol CBiol AFBPsS Membership of professional bodies is an important part of one’s career development. They provide a framework for recognised qualifications and continuing professional development.

Bob Sargent CSci CEnv FCIWEM CIWEM is in many ways a natural home for an environmental hydrologist like me, but I recognise it may not meet the needs of all people.

Helen Wright MSc CSci CChem CEnv MCIWEM I started out as a Chemist in the water industry, working on the analysis and testing of rivers, focussing on potable water.

Nigel Pattenden CSci FIFST I currently work as a Senior Food Technologist at Marks and Spencer, where I oversee the safety and quality of the food sold through the Delicatessen category, the largest category in the M&S Food Group.

Ruma Tamuli CSci MIFST My interest in joining a professional body was at first mainly to have my qualifications and experience recognised and to be differentiated from less qualified personnel.

Professor Pankaj Vadgama CSci CChem CPhys FRCPath FInst I was nominated to become a Chartered Scientist by the Institute of Materials, of which I am a Fellow, in a special presentation evening.disciplines, involving biomolecules, chemistry and metals.

Dr Christopher Corti CSci CEng FIMMM Dr Christopher Corti has over 25 years experience in the precious metals industry. As Managing Director, International Technology sector at World Gold Council, London.

Dr Heather Thompson CSci CBiol MEI Dr Heather Thompson is the Energy and Environmental Management Systems Officer for one of Northern Ireland’s largest local authorities.

Don Lack CSci FEI I have been a member of a professional body since starting at Nene College in 1970 and as my work experience changed and specialised over the years I became a member of the Energy Institute, where I am now a Fellow.

Professor Sir Christopher Evans OBE CSci CChem FRSC Sir Chris Evans is regarded as one of Europe’s leading biotechnology entrepreneurs with a proven track record of establishing successful, high quality science companies.

Dr Mark Heslop CSci MIChemE As a Lecturer at the University of Strathclyde, my duties include teaching undergraduate courses, supervising undergraduate and postgraduate students, and carrying out research projects.

Nira Chamberlain CSci MIMA I am a Chartered Scientist and a member of the Institute of Mathematics and its Application (IMA). Since 2002, I have been a Mathematical Modelling Consultant for the LSC Group.

Dr Liz Campbell CSci CPsychol AFBPsS I am a member of the British Psychological Society, the professional and learned body for psychologists in the UK. The British Psychological Society has its own Royal Charter for awarding professional awards.