Materials measurement and union membership
I work at the National Physical Laboratory (NPL), in South-West London. It’s the UK's National Measurement Institute and is a world-leading centre of excellence. We are here to develop and apply the most accurate measurement standards, in science and technology. Our work is crucial – every £5 million invested in NPL means an estimated £410 million benefit to the UK economy.
I specialise in thermophysical properties of materials at high temperatures, providing specialist data and methodology guidance to the casting industry in particular. Aeroplane engineers, for instance, need to be absolutely certain how much a turbine blade will expand in service, so my work has vital practical applications.
I enjoyed maths at school and chose science A levels because I was most interested in the connection between physics and chemistry. It was a surprise to consider higher education – neither of my parents went to university or studied science. But I got a place at the University of Leeds to do a degree in materials science and engineering. From there I joined NPL, starting as a research scientist. There are approximately 600 staff of whom women are a sizeable minority.
I joined the trade union Prospect straight away. It’s a form of career insurance - if something unfair happens it means you have help and support. Since becoming a lay representative I’ve got a lot more from my membership however – training, new skills, networking, the feeling I’m helping others. Prospect is part of UnionLearn, lifelong learning for activists and all members is a priority. I’m currently Branch Secretary, so I represent individuals in personal cases and negotiate on behalf of colleagues on collective issues with management. Recently I represented NPL staff at a meeting between our local MP, Vince Cable, and the science minister, Lord Drayson, to urge the government to review their proposed funding cuts at NPL.
I believe unions are important for everyone, as they help ensure fairness and diversity. There are problems I’ve tackled that relate particularly to women – like looking at the promotions process, flexible working arrangements and negotiating parental leave far beyond statutory requirements. I’ve helped to organise work-life balance days which were very popular and organise other events to help build a community at NPL.
I am one of forty STEMNET science ambassadors at NPL. Amongst other activities we help to run an evening course called Protons for Breakfast for people with an interest but little experience of science, and we run an annual water rocket competition. Through the New Engineering Foundation I have hosted lecturers on one day Masterclasses so they can experience NPL’s science.
My work as a union rep and a science ambassador have made me a more confident science communicator, which brings benefits to my scientific career.
Lindsay Chapman is a Senior Research Scientist at NPL and is the NPL Branch Secretary for the trade union Prospect. She is a member of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining (IOM3), a STEMNET Science Ambassador and sits on the New Engineering Foundation expert advisory panel.
Comments
Ruth Wilson (UKRC moderator):
Welcome to the blog, Lindsay. Thanks for taking part. Our last blogger was a trade union member as well - I am very struck that you both use the same phrase, \'its a form of job insurance\'. Can you explain a bit about Prospect, the union you are a member of? What makes it the right one for you and your area of work?
Lindsay Chapman:
Hello Ruth, thanks for the welcome! Prospect is a union for Professionals and technical specialists, including engineers, scientists and managers. Many of the other scientific institutions I come into contact with are represented by Prospect, as well as colleagues based in industry. It\\\'s the right one for me because they are recognised by my employer as having collective bargaining rights, which mean they have legal status to campaign on issues in the workplace that affect all staff. They are also used to the complex working arrangements that come from working in a highly specialised field - the extra health and safety concerns, and the questionning nature of scientists generally! It\\\'s a sad fact that with the current economic climate, and the more ruthless nature of funding, it is more likely that unexpected situations will arise at work that you cannot control; and having ready help and support from professionals in employment law is invaluable.
Malcolm Davies:
Hi Lindsay - wow I\'m learning so much from reading the UKRC blog! Please could you explain the £5m investment leading to a £410m return - on the face of it - fantastic. I trust Lord Drayson and Vince Cable understood the point. Why didn\'t you include a Tory ? They could be \'quite influential\' after May!!!!!! I heard on the radio that someone in America had recently heated something to a temperature never before achieved. Do you know anything about it and what benefits might be achieved for society as result of the experiment? I absolutely agree with you that Trades Unions are important for everyone. I worry however that Margaret Thatcher (and subsequently Tony Blair) did so much damage to them that it could well take generations for them to rebuild and once again take their important place at the centre of our society. I would welcome your views. Take care and thanks Malc
Rachel:
hi Lindsay,I think the role of the unions is vital in representing workers rights, but I always wondered whether one has to chose between being a union activist and a manager. Do you think you can be a union rep and still climb the management ladder?
Lindsay Chapman:
@Malcolm Davies The £5M --> £410M was from a DBIS report into the National Measurement System, and was based on the impact of the science on industry in the UK, both in terms of savings through measaures such as reducing scrap during casting (from work
Lindsay Chapman:
@Rachel It\'s an interesting question! I don\'t think the two are mutually exclusive, we do have examples at NPL of people who do both, but I think you have to be clear in your own mind in which role you are acting. Prospect itself has many members in
Lindsay Chapman:
@Malcolm Davies Apologies I meant to answer the other part of your post! I\'ll hope to address more later too. Vince Cable is the constituency MP for Teddington, where NPL is based. So we approached him on that basis. He has been extremely supportiv
Elizabeth Donnelly:
Hi Lindsay It\'s great to be followed by another trade unionist. We are certainly needed at times of economic crisis like this. Managers need unions, too, as you\'ve pointed out, and often don\'t know their rights. The great thing about union reps is that they\'re usually your colleagues, so you know that they\'ve got your best interests at heart and won\'t be obliged to tell your managers. I\'m also interested in your water rocket competition. It looks like a lot of fun. Can you tell us more about it?
Lindsay Chapman:
@Elizabeth Donnelly I\'m more than happy to talk about water rockets! It\'s a great example of a small idea growing into a major event. About twelve years ago my colleague Nick McCormick entertained our team with water rockets at a team social. It then
Ruth Wilson (UKRC moderator):
Hi Elizabeth and Lindsay - I think the two of you as well as active trade unionists are rocket women! Elizabeth also runs a fantastic rocket event (not water-powered however), you can read more about Elizabeth and link to the event here: http://www.ukrc4setwomen.org/html/women-and-girls/getsetwomen-blog/html/services-for-women/getsetwomen-blog/?id=40 Maybe this is a good moment to plug the women in astronomy event in April in London: http://www.ukrc4setwomen.org/html/news-and-events/events/?event_id=1572
Kerry:
Hi Lyndsey, Thanks for your blog! I too am an active Prospect Rep - I am an Equality and Diversity Rep and also the ULR for our branch. Although busy at times, I agree it provides valuable experience which is beneficial for my career. The E and D work is the most time intensive and you need to learn a lot about legislation etc particularly with the new Equality Bill due to come on line, which is going to affect us all. I\'m also a Science and Engineering Ambassador and really love working with the youngsters as they are keen to see a \'real life\' scientist! I sit on the Thames Valley branch of the Society of Biology which again has really helped me improve my communication skills and I already feel respected within that community. I\'m not sure when I get time to carry out my day job with all these extra-curricular activities!
Helen:
Hi Lyndsay I am very encouraged to hear these discussions about unions. Far to few people now join a union which is a great shame. I particularly liked your reference to acting in the best interests of staff and linking that to staff being the most important resource. I can\'t quite imagine what it is like working in a laboratory so what a typical day at work be like for you. I probably have lots of inacurate images in my head
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