Chemical Journeys

In this episode I speak with Prof. Kathrin Fenner, one of the leading academic scientists in the study of chemical biodegradation and environmental persistence. Kathrin and I have a far-reaching conversation covering her background and research interests, challenges and developments in chemical biodegradation research, and implications for policy and society. We have learned an enormous amount about the fate and persistence of chemicals in recent years, and the work of Kathrin and h...

In this episode I speak with Joanna Gavins, who is a professor of English Language and Literature at the University of Sheffield. Joanna and I discuss the language we use and how this influences the way we think, feel and act in relation to choices we make, the environment, and chemicals. We start off by discussing the work Joanna has been doing at the Bio-based and Biodegradable Industries Association (BBIA) on how to effectively communicate information about sustainability to consumer...

Happy 2026, and welcome to Chemical Journeys Season 2! In this episode, I speak with Dr. Fola Ogungbemi, Senior Expert in Product Compliance at Currenta. Fola and I talk about his career journey so far, from student in ecotoxicology to senior regulatory consultant. We discuss experiences of early career scientists finding their next steps after completing a PhD, adapting to working in different sectors, the importance of staying open for continuous growth and learning, and the value of mentor...

In this episode, I speak with Dr. Watze de Wolf. Watze has had a long and accomplished career working as a scientist and manager in both industry and regulatory settings, including 15 years working at the European Chemicals Agency (ECHA). We have a wide-ranging discussion about his experiences and observations of how chemicals management has evolved over recent decades, and attempt to provide a diagnosis for the current situation and outlook for the years ahead. &nb...

In this episode I speak with Dr. Steven Brennan, co-founder and CEO of Foresight. Foresight is a software platform that helps organizations to make sense of complex and fast moving chemical regulations, so they can always be ready for what's coming next. Steven and I have a nice conversation that shows how he turned his years of regulatory experience into a software solution that solves a key challenge - how to get access to key insights faster to understand and manage regulatory change.&...