Spotlight on... Claire Carmalt

What is your role and what does it involve?

I’m Head of the Chemistry Department and a Professor in Inorganic Chemistry. As Head of Department, I am responsible for the organisation/general conduct of the Department, overseeing performance management and appraisals, financial procedures, formulating and monitoring the academic planning, development and performance of the Department (including planning for REF) and the Departmental Strategic Plan.

How long have you been at UCL and what was your previous role?

A long time… nearly 27 years from being a Royal Society Dorothy Hodgkin Research Fellow through to Professor. Prior to being at UCL, I was a postdoc at the University of Texas at Austin.

What working achievement or initiative are you most proud of?

I was recently awarded the 2024 Tilden Prize for Chemistry by the Royal Society of Chemistry in recognition of my group's work on the development of functional thin films. This was such an honour, and much credit goes to my research group for their hard work and enthusiasm.

As Head of Department, it has to be leading the department through REF2021 as we had notable success being ranked third nationally for 4* research submissions and joint first for 4* and 3* submissions. 

Tell us about a project you are working on now which is top of your to-do list

With the new careers framework for technical professionals, I am currently doing a review of the chemistry teaching technical team. It’s great to see this new framework and I hope to future-proof the provision of a really key aspect of our department.

What is your favourite album, film and novel?

• Favourite album is George Michael Twenty Five (happy & sad songs on this!)
• Favourite film is Jurassic Park (lots of dinosaurs!)
• Favourite novel is The Price of Freedom by Michael J. Smith (this has to be my favourite as its written by my husband; super proud of him for wanting to write a novel and actually achieving that. It's a great read.)

What is your favourite joke (pre-watershed)?

I’m rubbish at jokes, in fact it's a standing joke at home that they always have to explain jokes to me. So I picked a chemistry one (that I do understand!):

Two atoms are walking down the street. One atom says to the other, "Hey! I think I lost an electron!" The other asks, "Are you sure?" "Yes, I'm positive!"

Who would be your dream dinner guests?

George Michael, David Attenborough and Dorothy Hodgkin. Slightly worried that George would be rather distracting but hopefully David and Dorothy would keep me grounded. Should make for some lively and varied discussions.

What advice would you give your younger self?

Be more confident! You know you can do it, believe in yourself and go for it!

What would it surprise people to know about you?

Probably guessed from the responses above but I’m a big George Michael fan. I saw him live ~10 times and I was in his fan club for years so often had front row seats! Also, I love animals and I have guinea pigs, a hamster and a cat.

What is your favourite place?  

My garden as it’s my happy place! I spend hours gardening – my husband has just finished designing and building a pond with a waterfall and fountain, and we have recently acquired some fish.