50 years a food scientist

Food Science and TechnologyVolume 35, Issue 2 p. 60-63 Careers & TrainingFree Access 50 years a food scientist First published: 15 June 2021 https://doi.org/10.1002/fsat.3502_17.xAboutSectionsPDF ToolsExport citationAdd to favoritesTrack citation ShareShare Give accessShare full text full-text accessPlease review our Terms Conditions of Use check box below share version article.I have read accept the Wiley Online Library UseShareable LinkUse link this article with your friends colleagues. Learn more.Copy URL Share linkShare onFacebookTwitterLinked InRedditWechat Dr Ken Spears (FIFST) reflects on start his career as scientist. I began my in 1971; same year that Cadbury launched their crème egg – no connection though. As young, potential family history higher education, science offered new, exciting opportunity. originally had intention going university was planning join RAF following an earlier experience piloting Cessna aircraft gaining student pilot licence sponsored by scholarship from Norfolk County Council RAF. After leaving school, spent summer lab technician commercial laboratory testing cereal grains support negotiations farmers price for crops first Kjeldahl analysis. enjoyed working fact results were used form contracts, but position only temporary. Under pressure, careers meeting suggested course quite appealing. not applied Universities Central Commission Admissions (UCCA), forerunner UCAS, so adviser made direct application me Polytechnic South Bank. Hence, late September 1971 headed Norwich bright lights London some thoughts hedonism new career. considered ‘young’ ‘70s, having developed more established chemistry courses. It gained popularity degree opportunities industry major retailers also because Nuffield Foundation Teaching Project, which Advanced level one specialist areas study. publicity broadcasting media promotions Magnus Pyke, who President IFST 1971. Few academic staff education identified scientists many recruited provide skills knowledge degrees. According government statistics, just over 51,000 degrees awarded UK 1970, representing total undergraduate population about 150,0001. Accessible records do show number undergraduates, it would amounted than few hundred. courses The main institutions England offering technology included National College Technology (NCFT) Weybridge, University Reading, Nottingham, Leeds, Queen Elizabeth (QEC) polytechnics colleges. polytechnics, range vocational-oriented full-time part-time qualifications, well known sandwich combining study industrial training. Polytechnics designed own programmes study, Academic Awards (CNAA) diplomas. universities existing expertise. For example, NCFT specialised thermal preservation unit operations Reading emphasised dairy its association Institute Research into Dairying (NIRD) based at Shinfield. QEC nutrition, been King's Women subjects especially relevant women, such social sciences ‘health economics’. Nottingham agriculture campus Sutton Bonington, Midland Agriculture. Leeds Department Leather curriculum reflected expertise protein chemistry. During early four emphasis pure physical leading physico-chemical properties foods colloid science. Grimsby Higher Diplomas (HNDs) fishery refrigeration. There further colleges Ordinary qualification entry science/technology. In 1973 Technician Education (TEC) created unify technical (vocational) education. TEC eventually took validation (ONDs) Certificates (HNC/Ds). Bank (PSB) biochemistry analysis department ran post-graduate food, drugs water students intending sit Mastership Chemical Analysis (MChemA), required public analysts. PSB housed Bakery School, celebrated 125th anniversary 2019. Early ‘non-standard’. curricula resulting considerable variation content balance theory practical. Standardisation did occur until after 1997 establishment Quality Assurance Agency Education, programme specifications threshold standards subject reviews panels peer academics. Before standardisation content, there ‘cross-fertilisation’ through periodic review, when academics representatives joined approve or modified Aerial view ca. 1980 (courtesy LSBU archives) When started we cohort 25 students, mostly Level overseas level-equivalent qualifications. Our equalising mathematics, biology bring similar advanced introductions commodity science, botany, practical information chemistry, processing, microbiology. order develop ‘rounded’ select liberal studies curriculum, law, philosophy, psychology, English literature history. timetable different modular approach common now involved 9.00am 5.00pm five days week apart traditional free Wednesday afternoon, almost nationally recognised across enable sports inter-institution fixtures competitions. matter delivered one- two-hour lectures three-hour practicals. Nearly all theoretical assessed end term examination practicals be written up submitted assessment. This before age PCs, word processing spreadsheets. will difficult younger members appreciate digital printers, internet, recorders mobile phones. Almost resource material printed format. Rough notes usually taken lectures, supplemented textbooks filed ring binders. Typed handouts spirit-based duplications infrequent highly prized. Missing session could mean bartering fellow trips photocopier. Mention journal reference textbook lecture provoked race library loan copy text. We fortunate, studying London, access good libraries able purchase Ministry Agriculture, Fisheries (MAFF) regulations official documents Her Majesty's Stationery Office Holborn. Requests articles held college internal ordering system British Library, involve two-to-three-week turnaround instant online enjoy today. Industrial visits placements real attraction nature, requiring complete training gain degree. At completed six-month two three course. changed towards decade ‘thick’ spending third industry. Placements Heinz, United Biscuits, Quaker, Hygrade Meats, Haywards Pickles, Sainsbury's, analyst labs, MAFF Brooke Bond Liebig (Fray Bentos). secured temporary job edible oils Oil Medina, later became part Croda group, placement away capital Farley's Infant Foods Plymouth. quality team, reported Chief Chemist reminds us scientific discipline developed. team responsible carrying out checks raw materials, monitoring production taking samples back testing. By placement, skilled vitamin analysis, dough texture measurement microbiological examinations. On reflection represented ‘quality control’ managing safety quality. risk assessment schedules HACCP QC frequently challenged manufacturing production, storage distribution halted pending results. gave realistic manufacture helped prepare careers. My second labs Norwich. site adjacent East Anglia extend research other meat (but including poultry eggs). Staff Laboratory co-located they moved premises investigating nitrosamine formation fried foods, led ban several artificial colours. final year, continued biochemistry, option microbiology project. resourced mixture equipment plant donated manufacturers. Practical class Students’ Union ca 1970s One benefits sites around retail laboratories, laboratories institutes. recall lecturers arranging Tropical Products (based Grays Inn Road), Unigate (White City), Van den Berghs Jurgens (margarine Purfleet) Flour Milling Association (FMBRA), (Chorleywood). encouraged become arranged Eastern Branch. Studying 70s challenging industries. To compete globally, industries reduce manual move automation technologies. Strong unions, high wage demands rising oil prices caused inflations double figures. miners’ strike coupled shortages ‘three-day week’. From January March 1974, electricity users limited specified consecutive days’ consumption each week. regular, local domestic power cuts conserve essential supplies. can remember writing reports cold, south house candlelight Dickensian. Despite environment, buoyant productive. variety choice manufactured expanded rapidly, partly driven innovative supermarkets. Ready meals popular decline sales canned fresh foods. Associated ready increase ownership microwave ovens. Marks Spencer prominent promoting product development kitchen produced recipe ideas. They introduce Indian Chinese meals, proved instantly popular. Developments processed products accompanied developments packaging marketing. So, world without internet websites recruitment agencies, how proceed career? Certainly, mark during posts returned year. Sainsbury's offer graduate those them. Occasionally final-year small grant keen companies encouragement return. Companies ‘milk round’ visit events. Following graduation, pursued careers, highlights transferable acquired via Some positions management recollection Quaker Oats, Metal Box Trebor-Sharps. A group six Environmental Health Officers authorities. France PhD Institut de Pasteur. Two us, myself, decided teaching. enrolled onto postgraduate certificate Chelsea Centre coincidentally Project. teaching appointed Lecturer circle great journey. Kenneth Spears, BSc MPhil PGCE FIFST Email [email protected] Mobile 07828623533 has member 40 is Branch Committee being assessor Membership Assessment Panel. 1976 progressing Senior Lecturer, Principal acting Head Department. He carried secondments Government (1982) Bedfordshire Trading Standards Service (1993). retired 2014 currently time Ruskin University. Acknowledgements thanks Archives giving permission use images encouraging reflect References 1House Commons (2012) Standard Note: SN/SG/4252 Last updated: 27 November 2012 Author: Paul Bolton Social General Statistics Google Scholar Volume35, Issue2June 2021Pages ReferencesRelatedInformation