IOM3 Investigates

In this episode in the WIM3 series, Dr Fiona C J Robinson FIMMM speaks with Dr Colleen Mann CEng FIMMM, Senior Consultant at Amentum and Vice President of IOM3, about her career journey and the experiences that have shaped it. From her early education to studying chemistry at Queen’s University Belfast and completing a PhD in nuclear materials science, Colleen reflects on a non‑linear path built on persistence, adaptability and a strong research mindset. The conversation explores her transition from academia into the nuclear sector, her work leading complex research programmes, and the skills required to thrive across different environments. Alongside her technical work, Colleen speaks candidly about communication, confidence, mentoring and leadership, highlighting the importance of supporting others and creating inclusive professional environments as she looks towards a more strategic leadership role in the future. Bio: Dr Colleen Mann is a Chartered Engineer and Senior Consultant at Amentum, where she leads a specialist team delivering research and technical programmes across the nuclear sector. Her work focuses on the long-term performance and durability of nuclear materials, supporting the safe management and disposal of radioactive waste. She is the technical lead for an experimental programme for a key client, where she has coordinated complex, multi-disciplinary research involving international partners and contributed to the development of long-term R&D strategies that support UK policy and decision-making. Colleen began her career in academia, completing a PhD and postdoctoral research at the University of Sheffield, where she specialised in nuclear materials and wasteform durability. During this time, she also managed analytical laboratory facilities and developed strong foundations in both research and teaching. She has since built on this technical expertise in industry, leading experimental programmes, shaping research roadmaps, and supporting projects ranging from spent fuel management to nuclear new build and waste package disposability. Alongside her technical role, Colleen is Vice President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3) and is actively involved in supporting the next generation of engineers and scientists through her work with the Sheffield Metallurgical and Engineering Association. She is enthusiastic about leadership, communication, and creating inclusive environments where individuals can develop and thrive and is particularly interested in solving real-world problems by working in multi-disciplinary teams resulting in real-world impact across industry. Music Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Rewind to 2020. In this re-edited episode first published in 2020, Colin Church is joined by Adam Read (External Affairs Director at Suez Recycling and Recovery UK) and Linda Barron (Co-founder of Barron Gould, and founding partner of MaDE) as we discuss 'Design for End of Life' - the importance of better product design choices to enable a more sustainable and circular economy. The original episode can be listened to in our back catalogue: https://soundcloud.com/user-125394284-894269056/iom3-investigates-the-environment-part-1-sustainable-packaging Further information - www.suez.com/en - made.partners/partners/barron-gould/ - made.partners/ - puttingwastetogooduse.co.uk/ Follow Adam on Twitter: @AdamRead74 Contact Linda via LinkedIn: www.linkedin.com/in/linda-barron If you have any questions contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Fiona Robinson is joined by Jess Middlemiss, CTO of Pure Affinity, a UK engineering company that designs and develops absorbent media to remove PFAS from water. Jess talks us through her career from study at Imperial College London, through roles at Rolls Royce, Dyson and Sartorius. A keen supporter of young engineers Jess recognises the value of mentors and strong support networks. Links Pure Affinity https://www.puraffinity.com/ WIM3 https://www.iom3.org/group/women-in-materials-minerals-mining-wim3.html Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

IOM3 President Christine Blackmore describes her career to date and the aims of her presidency. Watch the full version on the IOM3 site. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

Christine Blackmore, President of IOM3; Colin Comberbach, Chair of the IOM3 Mining Technology Group (MTG) and Andrew Fulton, President of the Mining Association of the UK, discuss the global value of mining and the importance of building a strong professional workforce. They preview a forthcoming event Advances in Mining Technology & Mineral Supply, being organised by the IOM3 Events team and the MTG in March 2025 in Birmingham, UK. Links Advances in Mining Technology & Mineral Supply: https://www.iom3.org/events-awards/advances-in-mining-technology-mineral-supply.html Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

A Life cycle assessment (LCA) measures the environmental impacts of a product or service. This podcast with Diane Aston, Sophie Parsons and Louis Brimacomb gives a brief overview of key elements, why someone would want to complete an LCA, and what the limitations are. Links: Careers and learning from IOM3 https://www.iom3.org/careers-learning/trainingacademy.html Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

In the latest in our series of interviews with inspiring women in our field, Emily Walport, an engineer specialising in low-impact materials, discusses her journey in the field and the evolving role of engineering. Emily shares her passion for material science and the intersection of design and sustainability. She emphasises the importance of holistic evaluation in material selection and the need for data-driven decision-making to optimise for carbon reduction. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/

What are the issues behind neurodiversity in STEM? Katy Deacon, Associate Professor Asiya Khan and Martin Griffins discuss for IOM3 Investigates. Contact us at podcast@iom3.org or visit www.iom3.org Music: Pamgaea by Kevin MacLeod Link: incompetech.filmmusic.io/song/4193-pamgaea License: creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/