Photonics, the science and technology of light, and its applications sit at the heart of a range of innovations across sectors such as communications, healthcare, manufacturing, and energy. As the need for this technology increases, so does the demand for skilled workers, something which can be challenging at times for the photonics sector in Scotland. However, by looking at this challenge through an Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) lens, we can see that there are many ways that we can help to attract, engage and retain a powerful and diverse workforce to bolster the future of Scotland’s photonics sector.
In this blog, we hear from Ben Hanley, Director of Enigma People Solutions, who works with clients at the forefront of the photonics industry in Scotland, across the UK and globally. As a recruitment partner, he sees first-hand the difficulties companies face in attracting the next generation of skilled professionals.
Through his role as Chair of the Advisory Board of Opening up Photonics, an initiative focused on building a more diverse and inclusive workforce within Scotland’s photonics sector, Ben regularly interviews professionals in photonics to understand their experiences and perspectives, particularly around the challenge of making the sector more engaging and inclusive for future employees.
Here are some of the key themes emerging from these conversations, and what the photonics industry can do to better engage and inspire future talent:
A consistent theme raised is how little the public, and especially students, know about photonics.
As Emma explained:
“There are capable women coming out of secondary school and university every day, and the reason they aren’t thinking about research or photonics is because they don’t know what it is.”
This lack of awareness is a significant barrier. Emma calls for a more visible presence of the photonics sector within local communities, not just through career fairs and education programmes, but through genuine engagement:
“There needs to be effort from the photonics industry to engage with communities, show how they are contributing to society, and push back against rising anti-intellectualism by being open and transparent.”
From fibre optic internet and lasers in medical technology, to smartphone screens and camera sensors, photonics is all around us. There is significant benefit in a higher level of industry engagement to highlight these tangible applications to young people who may never have heard of the field.
Many of those interviewed stressed that engagement must start at school age, before students choose their subjects.
Michelle emphasised the importance of outreach in early secondary school:
“You get kids who have the natural aptitude, but also those who don’t yet know where they fit. We need to help them see their options.”
Inspiring even one student can make a difference:
“If the presentation sticks with that one kid who thinks, ‘She worked on lasers so maybe I could do that,’ then it’s worth it.”
Eleni echoed this, stressing the power of open days and direct exposure to the field:
“Visiting companies during my undergraduate degree was one of the main reasons I wanted to stay in physics. Seeing the labs, the offices, the work. It gave me a much better understanding of what my future could look like.”
Whether it’s school visits, site tours, or hands-on demonstrations, giving students access to real-world workplaces helps them visualise themselves in STEM careers.
Beyond formal engagement, small, memorable experiences can make a big impression. One suggestion from our interviewees was to invite children into companies for “STEM Experience Days”:
Even if they don’t choose photonics in the end, they may choose a STEM subject, and if it encourages more young women or underrepresented groups to do so, even better.
Once in the industry, all people need to feel supported with opportunities and room to develop professionally and personally, especially in the early years of their career.
Sophia highlighted the importance of safe spaces and access to mentorship, especially for women navigating male-dominated environments:
“If you’re in a minority, you benefit from having a safe channel, someone to vent frustrations to without feeling like you’re just ‘complaining because you’re a woman’.”
She believes mentoring is one of the most powerful tools to retain and support women in photonics.
Companies would benefit from providing structured mentorship programmes to their employees, one-on-one support, and access to HR or diversity advocates to make sure that no employee feels isolated.
While technical understanding is key, so is community and for many underrepresented groups in STEM, feeling welcome matters as much as being capable.
One interviewee reflected on the power of informal gatherings to foster connection:
“…what we could have more of is something casual, like coffee mornings or informal networking spaces. These should be open not just to women, but also to ethnic minorities, people with disabilities. Any group that might feel isolated in a technical environment.”
Providing regular, informal spaces for connection can help individuals build professional relationships, find mentors, and feel supported.
In Summary: What the Industry Can Do
To attract future employees and retain them, the photonics industry should continue to take proactive, inclusive, and creative action. Based on these interviews the industry might benefit from the following:
If even one student, one woman, or one underrepresented young person sees a place for themselves in photonics as a result of these efforts, that’s a meaningful step toward a more diverse, innovative future for the industry.
Interested in learning more about how your company can attract the next generation of talent in photonics? Become a supporting member of Opening up Photonics today.
In this blog Ben Hanley, chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee interviews Susannah Heck, a Principal Engineer with Effect Photonics, about how learning to step out of her comfort zone helped her navigate a career in Photonics.
Background
I’m half Irish, half Swiss. I was born in Switzerland, and with my dad’s job we moved to Paris for a bit. I did most of my schooling in Switzerland before moving to Ireland for what was meant to be a year, it turned into eleven, covering both my undergraduate and PhD studies. After that, I moved to London for a postdoc, then to Northampton to work for Oclaro (now part of Lumentum), and later to Scotland to join Kaiam in Livingston. I’m laughing because the first time I ever visited Edinburgh was to find somewhere to live after taking the job!
I’ve since worked across several tech companies including CST (now Sivers Photonics) and for the past few years I’ve been working remotely from Edinburgh for a Dutch firm. I’ve moved a lot, but Edinburgh is actually the place I’ve lived the longest.
I enjoyed maths, physics and applied maths in school. My maths, applied maths and physics teacher had a polarising lecturing style, but I found it engaging. In my first undergraduate year, I studied maths, physics, chemistry, and applied maths, before choosing to major in physics with a minor in applied maths.
I was drawn to optics, quantum mechanics and physical chemistry, but my real introduction to photonics came in my third year in Cork. I met Dr Fatima Gunning from the Photonic Systems Group at Tyndall, who showed me their new photonics lab. I remember thinking, “Wow, physics looks like this?” all the fibres, scopes, modulators, and high-speed kit. That summer I interned there, splicing fibres and setting up test beds, and I realised I wanted to understand the components behind the systems.
That curiosity led to my PhD starting in 2005, focusing on semiconductor lasers and amplifiers for telecoms, part of a project with partners like Alcatel in Paris. I liked that there was a real customer interested in my results; it made the research feel purposeful. After my PhD, I did a short postdoc at Imperial College London before moving into industry, where I’ve been for about 15 years.
What drew you to maths and physics?
They were the subjects that just clicked. The penny dropped faster than with languages or humanities, I understood them instinctively.
As an undergraduate, I enjoyed labs, but the photonic systems lab was something else: big scopes, error rate testers, expensive shiny kit, it was hands-on and tangible. You’d apply theory, then in practice find, “I can’t close this system, why?” That curiosity about noise and performance eventually pushed me toward semiconductor devices. I wanted to know which parameters mattered, what could be optimised, and what physics dictated what you simply had to work with.
For my PhD, I was an experimentalist in a theory group which was the best of both worlds.
Why was industry relevance important in your research?
Some people are motivated purely by personal development, and that’s valid. But for me, I’m more driven when there’s a real customer or application. It matters that what I’m doing will be used and that it has tangible value beyond theory. That’s probably why I’ve stayed in industry. I like seeing my work make an impact.
What challenges have you had to overcome?
Public speaking and networking haven’t come naturally to me. I’m quite shy, and even now I get nervous on stage or on the phone. But I’ve learned to put myself in those situations deliberately. Each time you do it, it gets a bit easier, and you realise how much benefit there is in pushing through the discomfort. It’s definitely been a learned skill, not an innate one.
Who or what has inspired or supported you along the way?
Most of the people who’ve inspired me probably don’t even know it. They’ve been a mix of managers and colleagues, men and women, whose emotional intelligence or leadership style I admired. Sometimes you see how someone handles a situation and think, “That was impressive, I want to learn from that.”
I’ve been fortunate to work with people open to sharing their time, knowledge, and honest feedback. Constructive criticism can sting, but it’s invaluable if you’re trying to grow.
What’s the best career advice you’ve received?
“Don’t be afraid to get out of your comfort zone.”
“Every experience is worth it even the ones that don’t go to plan.” “You always learn something, even if it’s just don’t do that again!”
And finally, “Work on your soft skills as well as your technical ones.” You can’t overemphasise how important it is to collaborate effectively. Some people are naturally good at it, but most of us have to work on it and those who do tend to stand out.
Have you noticed gender imbalance in your industry?
In my career, I’ve rarely been in the majority. Some companies are more balanced than others, depending on the department for example, supply chain roles might have more women than engineering.
Yes, I’ve been the only woman in the room at times. Fortunately, I’ve had mostly positive experiences and supportive colleagues both male and female. That’s not to say challenges don’t exist, but I’ve been lucky overall.
How has moving between countries shaped you?
Every move has pushed me out of my comfort zone and taught me to adapt. I’ve always spoken the local language, which helped. The biggest leap was moving within Ireland for university from Kilkenny to Cork.
I didn’t know many people so I made myself join the university mountaineering club. That first Sunday hike in Kerry turned out to be a great decision. I made some lifelong friends, and the club gave me leadership experience as treasurer, transport officer and captain.
All that came from simply choosing not to spend my first weekend alone in student digs. It taught me the value of saying yes to new things after that, later moves, even to new countries, never felt quite so daunting.
In the end, every big step, whether it was joining a new company, learning to speak up, or moving across borders, has been about the same principle: stepping out of my comfort zone.
What makes someone pick photonics over all the other STEM paths they could take? And what makes them see it through until they have graduated and go on to start their career? Is it the maths, the lab work, the big-picture impact, or something more personal?
Ben Hanley, Director of Enigma People Solutions, works with clients at the forefront of the photonics industry, both in the UK and globally. As a recruitment partner, he witnesses first-hand the challenges companies face in attracting the next generation of skilled professionals.
Through his role as chair of the Advisory Board of Opening up Photonics, an initiative aimed at building a more diverse and inclusive workforce within Scotland’s photonics sector, Ben regularly interviews professionals in photonics to gain insight into their experiences and perspectives.
In this blog, we share what first ignited an interest in, and ultimately led to a career in, photonics, through the voices of three inspiring individuals working in the field.
Sophia
“For some reason, I loved electromagnetics,” Sophia recalls, laughing at how she gravitated towards the subjects that others in her class avoided. “Everyone else hated those courses but I found them beautiful, like listening to music. Especially the maths. It was like solving a puzzle and feeling everything fall into place.”
Her passion for understanding the fundamental concepts of light and electromagnetic theory led her naturally to photonics. With a keen interest in quantum physics and the challenge of complex problem-solving, Sophia found deep satisfaction in her PhD work of using simulations to see how light behaves, manipulating its pathways, and understanding the analytical framework behind it all.
“What I love about photonics,” she explains, “is the precision with which you can make light behave. Even adding a little loss into the system makes the maths interesting. I’ve always wanted to break problems down analytically before turning to simulations. It’s like solving a mystery using maths as your toolkit.”
Nicola
Nicola’s journey into photonics wasn’t immediate. It was sparked during her undergraduate studies when she entered her university’s newly built cleanroom for a nanofabrication project.
“At that point, I was pretty disenchanted with physics,” she admits. “Everything felt theoretical and far removed from the real world. But the cleanroom showed me a different side it was hands-on, and we were actually making devices based on quantum principles. That’s when it clicked.”
At the same time, she was taking a module in photonics, which was refreshingly application focused. The connection between photonics, real-world technologies, and ongoing industrial advances, like HAMR technology at Seagate, made the field feel dynamic and relevant.
“The range of applications, from telecommunications to metamaterials, showed me just how alive the field is. There were clear links between photonics and the micro/nano-fabrication world, which I was already interested in. The thriving research community and the career opportunities made it an obvious choice for a PhD.”
Katherine
Katherine’s path into photonics was shaped by a lifelong love for science that had been nurtured early by her scientist parents and further developed during her A-levels.
Initially planning to study medicine, she pivoted to physics, intrigued by the depth and interconnectedness of scientific disciplines. “One of the things I love about science is how layered it is,” she says. “And with light – there are so many ways to understand and explain it, depending on the level of interest or expertise. That’s what makes photonics so captivating.”
Though she originally wanted to study quantum biology, Katherine ended up doing a master’s project in micro-magnetics. When a funded PhD wasn’t immediately available, she was directed towards PIADS (Photonic Integration and Data Storage) and that’s where she discovered her true passion.
“I realised I loved solid-state physics and how it connects to photonics and electronics. It’s exciting to be working at the intersection of these fields. My research now draws all of that together, and it’s both fascinating and fun.”
Why Photonics?
These stories reflect a common theme: photonics is a field where curiosity meets application, and where complex theory becomes tangible innovation.
For some, like Sophia, it’s the elegant challenge of mathematical models and the beauty of electromagnetic theory. For others, like Nicola, it’s the moment theory meets practice in the lab, producing real-world technologies. For Katherine, it’s the layered, interdisciplinary nature of photonics where physics, engineering, and technology come together to create solutions that are shaping our future.
As the industry continues to evolve, the next generation of photonics professionals will be those who, like Sophia, Nicola, and Katherine, are inspired by curiosity, driven by challenge, and excited by the opportunity to shape the future with light.
Interested in shaping the future and connecting with likeminded individuals interested in advancing the representation of women the photonics and quantum fields? Become a Opening up Photonics Diversity Champion today.
In this blog Ben Hanley, chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee interviews Eleni Margariti, who holds a PhD in Physics and works as a research scientist specialising in hybrid integrated opto-electronic systems and devices.
In part two of our interview, Eleni covers the contrast between Greek and UK physics academic systems, closing a coding gap after moving to Scotland, trust-based mentorship, photonics’ real-world impact, women in STEM, and bridging academia–industry.
What is your experience of education in Greece versus education in the UK, but also that difference between living and growing up in Greece and then having to settle in Scotland and how you found that?
There are certainly many differences between Greece and the UK, and to be honest, many of those differences extend beyond these two countries and can be seen between Greece and other European nations as well. One of the biggest differences I’ve noticed is in the structure and philosophy of the educational systems, particularly in the field of physics.
In Greece, the undergraduate degree is much broader and, in many ways, more demanding. Physics students are expected to gain deep theoretical exposure to a wide range of subjects — from cosmology and solid-state physics to atmospheric physics, nuclear physics, and beyond. The emphasis is on developing a comprehensive foundation across many areas of the discipline, often with rigorous mathematical underpinnings. You don’t become an expert in just one subject during your degree, but it trains you to think critically and conceptually, and to understand the physical world from multiple perspectives. I believe this breadth of knowledge cultivates strong problem-solving skills and a deep appreciation of fundamental scientific principles — qualities that are central to becoming a well-rounded physicist.
In contrast, I found that physics education in the UK, particularly at the undergraduate level, tends to be more focused and application-oriented. Students are encouraged to specialise earlier and develop expertise in a narrower domain. This can be highly advantageous when preparing for specific roles in industry or applied research, as the curriculum is closely aligned with practical skills and employability.
This brings me to another important difference I personally encountered: programming. In Greece, at least during my time as a student, programming was not part of the core physics curriculum. As a result, when I came to the UK, I quickly realised I lacked essential coding skills, which were crucial for handling large datasets, running simulations, or working in data-driven roles in both research and industry. This was a gap I had to fill on my own, and it highlighted how critical such skills have become in the modern scientific and professional landscape.
Now, whether one system is “better” than the other is difficult to say — they each have their strengths and weaknesses. The Greek system offers a rich, foundational, and highly theoretical education, while the UK system is often more aligned with the practical demands of industry and research careers. In a way, I feel fortunate to have experienced both. The Greek system gave me the intellectual flexibility and theoretical grounding, and the UK environment taught me how to apply that knowledge in a targeted and practical way. Bridging these two approaches has been incredibly valuable for my development as a physicist and as a professional.
Moving to the UK was a big step for me, as it was the first time I had ever been abroad — not even for holidays. Everyone was very welcoming here. After the first month or two, I became more comfortable living, working, and communicating in English on a daily basis.
One of the main reasons I decided to leave Greece was the lack of opportunities for innovation, particularly in research. Unfortunately, funding for scientific research at that level— especially in the field of photonics — is quite limited there.
Do you have any idea of the percentage of women in Greece that are getting into technology degrees? Is it similar to the UK from what you’re seeing?
I know that this is quite low, I remember even from my university, I think it was just me and about ten other girls in the entire physics department. From what I’ve seen, most of the women I know who are involved in science tend to be in fields like biology or other life sciences.
I’m not exactly sure why this is the case. Historically, women have always been part of science, but they often didn’t receive the recognition they deserved. For example, everyone knows Pythagoras, the famous Greek mathematician, but very few people know about Themistoclea — the woman who is believed to have taught him. So women were always there, contributing to science, but their work was often overlooked.
That said, I don’t believe that, especially in today’s world, there are any real limitations stopping women from pursuing science. I think there are many more opportunities now than in the past, and ultimately, it comes down to personal choice and interest.
What’s the best advice or support that you’ve been given?
Undoubtedly, the most significant support I received during my PhD came from my supervisor, who also happens to be my current line manager. From the very beginning, our relationship went far beyond the traditional student-supervisor dynamic. Rather than imposing a top-down, directive approach, he fostered a highly collaborative environment where my input was genuinely valued. He consistently encouraged me to explore new ideas and gave me the autonomy to shape the direction of my research.
One of the most empowering aspects of his mentorship was the trust he placed in me. He would offer guidance, suggest different paths or perspectives, but he never dictated the process. Instead, he was always open to hearing my ideas, challenging them constructively when necessary, and ultimately giving me the freedom to pursue them if I believed in their potential. This was especially important because a large portion of my PhD work involved developing something entirely new — there wasn’t a predefined template to follow. I would come to him and say, “I have this idea; I believe it can work like this,” and he would respond with genuine openness and trust, encouraging me to move forward.
This mutual respect and trust proved to be extremely beneficial for both of us. It allowed me to grow not only as a researcher but also as an independent thinker. I felt empowered to take initiative, make decisions, and take ownership of my work — all while knowing that he was there to support me if needed.
Even now, after completing my PhD, our professional relationship continues in the same spirit. As I transition into more senior responsibilities, he is giving me the opportunity to lead not only my own projects but also to oversee additional ones. He continues to provide guidance when needed and offers thoughtful suggestions, but he also gives me the confidence that he fully trusts my judgment and leadership. Knowing that he believes in my ability to succeed independently has been incredibly motivating and rewarding.
Overall, his mentorship has played a critical role in shaping my development, not just during my PhD, but also as I move forward in my career. It has been a truly collaborative, supportive, and inspiring partnership.
In terms of advice, I’m not sure if it was traditional advice, but rather encouragement — specifically, encouragement to explore my own ideas. It was more about asking the right questions: Do you have an idea? Could it work? How would it work? What would it cost? How would you communicate it? That kind of guidance helped me think more critically and take ownership of my ideas, turning them into something real and actionable.
I love that because what comes through is that sense of adventure. Moving country, exploring what can work scientifically and communicating that passion for technology development.
Since the beginning, what I loved about Photonics is that constant challenge! Challenging me to think both fundamentally and practically, so whether it is to understand, let’s say the light matter interaction or engineering a fabrication method. I want to work on the blend of theory and application, and there is something uniquely satisfying being able to observe the effect of your work quite literally in action. I think that Photonics in general is somehow nature that is fundamental science, but it has real applications that are rapidly growing.
What particular challenges do you feel you’ve had to overcome in life or in your career so far?
I would say that, at the undergraduate level, it’s often difficult to figure out exactly what area of physics you want to pursue. Physics is such a broad field, and there are so many directions you can take. I found this quite challenging in the beginning.
One of the first things I realised was that I wanted to do research that has a real impact. I’ve always been more drawn to experimental work — I enjoy being hands-on and building or testing things myself. Also I found that it was much easier for me to think things in micro scale rather than in a bigger scale.
Another common challenge for many physics students is deciding whether to continue in academia or move into industry. Personally, I’ve found myself somewhere in between, working in a role that bridges both worlds. I think this is another big decision people have to make — whether they enjoy the more technical, research-driven path or are more interested in the business, communication, and practical side of things.
What I’ve discovered is that it’s possible to enjoy both. There’s a significant gap between academia and industry, and that’s actually one of the reasons I enjoy the role I have now. I’m actively working to bridge that gap — through outreach, collaboration with companies, and communication with people outside of academia who may not be aware of the exciting research happening in universities.
In academia, research is often done because it’s important from a scientific or theoretical standpoint, but without always having a clear real-world application in mind. Through outreach and engagement with industry, we can help guide that research toward practical uses. For me, the main motivation is to help advance the field of photonics. It’s a multidisciplinary effort — combining physics, materials science, simulation, and collaboration — and it’s through that collaboration that we can truly bring photonics technologies into real-world applications.
What can industry do to engage future employees? How do we reach out, inspire and get people to sign up for the physics courses in the first place and then to go and pursue a career in this amazing industry?
I believe company open days are a fantastic idea. Having the opportunity to visit a company, see their labs, and observe their work environment provides a direct connection to the industry. It gives you a much clearer understanding of what day-to-day work looks like, which I think is incredibly valuable.
Many people are not familiar enough with photonics and don’t really understand what it involves. That’s why I believe it’s especially important to introduce these concepts early on, particularly to school students, but also to the general public. Showing how photonics is embedded in everyday technologies can make a big difference.
For example, explaining fibre optic communications, lighting systems, displays, or the sensors in smartphone cameras can really help people relate to the field. If you put a phone screen under a microscope and show them the pixels, then explain how those pixels are made and how they work. Sharing these kinds of examples helps to engage and inspire people, making photonics more accessible and exciting.
In this blog Ben Hanley, chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee interviews Eleni Margariti, who holds a PhD in Physics and works as a research scientist specialising in hybrid integrated opto-electronic systems and devices.
In part one of this blog series, Eleni discusses how she discovered her passion for working in the space between academics and industry and her passion for solving the early-stage problems that make technology translatable from lab to manufacturing.
How did you begin your career?
I am from Athens, Greece, and I hold a university degree from the Physics Department at the University of Crete. During my studies there, I had the opportunity to work as a research assistant at the Foundation of Research and Technology – Hellas (FORTH). I joined the Ultrafast Laser Micro and Nano Processing (ULMN) group, which marked my first real exposure to photonics beyond the theoretical courses at university.
My work primarily involved laser micro-machining on various materials. Initially, I focused on applications in tissue engineering, but my main project later shifted towards memory glass applications. Through this experience, I became familiar with high-precision fabrication techniques and the interactions between photonics and materials.
After completing my undergraduate studies, I moved back to Athens to pursue a Master’s degree in Microsystems and Nanodevices at the National Technical University of Athens (NTUA). During my master’s, I deepened my understanding of device fabrication. My project centred on laser ablation and printing techniques, which led me to work on laser-based interconnects and the packaging of electronic and photonic circuit boards. This experience pushed me further towards applied research and process innovation.
When I moved to the UK, it was to pursue my PhD, and I am currently a member of the Integrated Optics group at the Institute of Photonics, University of Strathclyde. My research focuses on the integration of photonics with electronic systems, which I believe is one of the most critical challenges in the field today. At present, we have not yet reached the stage of fully pure photonic systems. Instead, we rely on a hybrid integration that combines electronics and photonics, including sensory components.
My work specifically focuses on the fabrication and transfer printing of microdevices at scale. The key challenge is how to transfer not just one device at a time, but let’s say 10, 1,000, or even 10,000 devices efficiently. This is especially important for real-world applications, such as next-generation microLED displays, where millions of individual devices from different substrates need to be integrated onto a single platform and then combined with the electronic backplanes.
During my PhD, I developed a novel method for what we call mass transfer printing. This technique is based on continuous roll-transfer printing, which enables the transfer of tens of thousands of micro-devices in less than 10 seconds with positional accuracy better than one micron. I continued to refine this method, demonstrating that it is highly repeatable in terms of both accuracy and yield.
What are you working on now?
For the past two years, I have been working as a postdoctoral researcher at the University of Strathclyde, focusing on bridging the gap between academia and industry. My main goal has been to explore how to commercialize this technology — how to transform a working research prototype into a viable product. This experience has been invaluable because it has taught me how to communicate my research effectively to different audiences. Whether speaking to scientists, sales professionals, or investors, I have learned how to tailor my message to secure support and funding.
My approach to research is always driven by the question: Can this technology be used in the real world? Can it be scaled up? In photonics, we face significant challenges in implementing new technologies on a large scale. To make a meaningful contribution, I believe it’s essential to develop methods that integrate seamlessly into existing systems, both in terms of technical compatibility and cost-effectiveness.
Over the last two years, I have actively engaged with investment bids and funding programs aimed at commercializing photonics technologies, including applications in quantum imaging and sensing. I manage communications with industry partners, establish collaborations, and lead outreach efforts to connect academia with industry.
I believe it is crucial to engage, go out and talk to professionals from diverse fields. For example, by presenting my mass transfer method for microLEDs at conferences and meetings, I’ve been able to learn how I can use this technology in different applications and connect various pieces of the technology puzzle. This broad perspective helps me better understand real-world needs and challenges.
Ultimately, what drives me is the desire to conduct research that has a tangible impact — research that can make a difference beyond the laboratory.
So what’s the end goal for you?
Currently, I am a postdoctoral researcher focused on developing more scalable integrated photonic devices. Over the past year, I spent most of my time—about 70%—working on the business and entrepreneurial aspects, including communication and networking, while the remaining 30% was dedicated to research.
I did consider launching a start-up based on this work and still believe there is strong potential for it. However, I realised there is a trade-off between the time spent on financing and building the business versus the time spent on actual research and development.
Through this experience, I discovered that my true passion lies more in the technology development phase rather than in the business side. Both are equally important, but I just enjoy being the person who makes something work technically and practically. I’m particularly interested in developing solutions that can seamlessly integrate into existing ecosystems. I want to continue working at the intersection where research meets manufacturing.
What I enjoy most is solving the early-stage challenges that enable technology to move from the lab to manufacturing — essentially bridging the gap between academia and industry. This includes refining techniques, validating scalability, and making technologies practical enough for others to commercialise.
How did the degrees and the PhD help you become that?
I wanted to do a PhD because I just wanted to go beyond just standing existing knowledge. I wanted to contribute something new and do work that is meaningful and useful. I believe that it is important. I know that there is a common opinion that if you want to go to industry, you shouldn’t pursue a PhD.
From my experience in industry, I’ve noticed that PhD qualifications are often not viewed as equivalent to practical work experience. Many companies prefer candidates with a Bachelor’s or Master’s degree plus a couple of years of industry experience over someone coming straight out of a PhD.
The PhD gives you the opportunity to become independent, to take a project from idea to implementation, develop a solution and see it through completion. I believe that beyond the technical work a PhD teaches you so much more. How to think critically, break down complex problems into smaller, manageable parts, plan methodically, and adapt when things don’t go as expected. So it is everything. You develop discipline, how to manage your time in your projects, prioritise safety and quality when you work in labs as well, and how to communicate your work to the outside world. In a way for me the PhD takes all my thoughts or all my curiosity and give them direction.
Ultimately, how much you gain from a PhD depends on the individual — how well you take advantage of the opportunities it offers. I consider the PhD as a transformative learning experience.
Opening up Photonics is a platform supporting the Scottish photonics industry to discuss, challenge and address as a community, barriers faced by minority groups, with the aim of increasing accessibility, championing diversity, and ensuring a welcoming and supportive environment for all.
Women are significantly underrepresented in the fields of photonics and quantum science. Increasing their visibility and participation is crucial for several reasons which we explore in our recent blog, Shining a Light on Equality: Why Gender Diversity Benefits Scotland’s Photonics Industry.
Opening up Photonics (OuP) aims to connect individuals with diverse opportunities for advancing the representation of women in the photonics and quantum fields.
Introducing the Opening up Photonics Diversity Champions!
We invite people at all levels of the photonics and quantum fields to join the OuP Diversity Champions community and benefit from engaging in opportunities to:
By signing up, you will be able to indicate the level of engagement that suits you.
Being an OuP Diversity Champion means connecting with like-minded colleagues, supporting one another, and driving real progress toward gender equality in our industry.
Together, we can create a vibrant, inclusive community—and make a difference that matters.
Scotland’s photonics industry is a world-class hub of innovation, powering technologies from telecommunications to medical imaging and sensing. Renowned as one of the world’s leading centres for photonics, the sector generates over £1.5 billion in turnover per year and employs 7,200 people in high-value-added jobs. As we support the sector to grow, one factor is becoming increasingly clear: gender equality isn’t just a social goal—it’s a business and innovation imperative.
Innovation Benefits from Diverse Perspectives
Innovation is at the heart of Scotland’s thriving photonics sector, driving groundbreaking technologies and maintaining the country’s global leadership. Research shows that gender-diverse leadership boosts innovation: a 2017 BCG study found that companies with a higher proportion of female managers (8 out of every 20) generated roughly 34% of their revenues from innovative products and services over a three-year period. Furthermore, companies with more women in leadership positions are more likely to achieve disruptive innovation, where new products or business models transform existing markets.
Addressing the Skills Shortage
Scotland’s photonics sector is expanding rapidly. The Scottish Government STEM Report (2022) projects a 20–25% shortfall in specialised STEM roles over the next decade. Yet women currently make up only around 20% of the workforce in the sector (Photonics Scotland Annual Survey, 2023), meaning the industry is missing out on nearly half of its potential talent pool. By promoting gender equality, photonics companies can attract and retain highly skilled workers, directly easing workforce pressures.
Workplace Culture and Collaboration
Gender-diverse teams are more collaborative, inclusive, and communicative, resulting in higher productivity and engagement. Research shows that organisations with inclusive cultures report a 59.1% increase in creativity, innovation, and openness. Studies have also found that mixed-gender teams are also better at managing conflict and maximising collective creativity, making them more effective and resilient in fast-paced, innovative environments.
Strengthening Scotland’s Global Competitiveness
Scotland’s photonics industry is not just a national asset—it is a key player on the global stage. Gender equality in leadership is a strategic advantage: companies with diverse management teams are 19% more likely to drive innovation (Boston Consulting Group, 2018) and those in the top quartile for gender diversity are 25% more likely to achieve above-average profitability (McKinsey, 2018). Profitable, diverse companies are better positioned to invest in R&D, scale globally, and attract international partners.
Inspiring the Next Generation
With women representing only 20% of the workforce, visible role models are essential to inspiring the next generation. Exposure to successful female STEM professionals boosts girls’ confidence and interest in STEM subjects (Stout et al., 2017). In the UK, girls with female STEM teachers or mentors are more likely to choose science and technology pathways, demonstrating the direct influence of representation (WISE Campaign, 2018). By showcasing the exciting and impactful work being done in photonics, we can motivate more young women to enter the field, helping to secure a diverse and talented workforce for the future.
Gender equality is not just the right thing to do—it is a driver of innovation, talent, and competitiveness. By promoting diversity in leadership, supporting inclusive workplace cultures, and inspiring the next generation, Scotland’s photonics sector can harness its full potential, maintain its global leadership, and continue to deliver groundbreaking technologies. Investing in gender equality today is investing in the future of the industry, ensuring that Scotland remains at the forefront of photonics innovation for decades to come.
Ben Hanley, is chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee and in this role, he interviewed Sophia Fox, an experienced Optical Engineer at EDR Medeso, about her journey from struggling with maths to a flourishing international career in Photonics!
In part 3 of our interview with Sophia we discuss how she overcame challenges in her career to date and how having good people around helps her get out and experience life.
Can you think about the challenges that you feel you’ve overcome in your career to this point?
Coming out of my PhD I found I was quite drained mentally and financially and my confidence was low. It took me quite a few years to build up the confidence again, to handle high pressure situations. I think just with perseverance and taking each day as it comes, bit by bit and also meeting some amazing people, my confidence grew. So for example at X Display the people there were amazing – they actively tried to build my confidence up, being around good people, that changed my mindset. Now, for example, I can jump into a call without dread or anxiety. I’ve got a much healthier mindset for that, which the PhD did not help.
I guess the other challenge is just finding out what works for me and sticking to my guns more. Before, I would change what works best for me to appease other people. I now know what I know and what I need to work to the best of my ability and I stick to that. If that’s not acceptable, then I have the confidence to move on instead of trying to be something I’m not. So that was another challenge.
You talked about surrounding yourself with good people. Maybe you could tell me about any of those good people that you found.
Certainly, during my PhD I wouldn’t have completed it if it hadn’t been for a retired professor who took pity on me. We would have meetings to do analytical calculations, things like this to help me develop my understanding. He really kept me going. I had a fellow female PhD colleague with the same supervisor who was going through the same difficulties; we supported each other by sharing our rants and working together to complete our PhDs and put that chapter behind us.
At X Display there was an amazing team – I think they saw something in me that I just didn’t at the time.
I had a year placement during my degree with a company called Perenco. I worked offshore a bit on Gas platforms in the Southern North Sea and then would work in the office. The guys offshore were an amazing bunch, really friendly and everyone was really respectful, I had a great, time and my sense of humour developed from those guys.
In my current job, I have worked with far more women and the culture is different, especially with the Nordics. It’s been a real eye opener working with women who have to be quite assertive in situations, for example, seeing how they deal with customers and how they interact and I’m trying to learn from them. Everyone at my current workplace is also extremely supportive and I’m very grateful to them.
So, what’s the best advice that you feel you’ve been given?
I’ve been told a lot to stop apologising, and this is fantastic advice that I need to keep working on.
You have worked in different places. How have the moves you’ve made in terms of geographic location and having to get comfortable with a new setup and new surroundings helped you?
It’s a bit weird, I quite like change. I started off in Norwich, my hometown. I left there at 17 to Bath then I was in Bath for quite a long time. Almost 10 years but I think I moved student housing about 8-10 times during my degree and PhD so I was already used to a nomadic lifestyle jumping from house to house.
I then made the massive 20 mile move to Chippenham. After Wave Optics, I moved to Ireland in Cork and then France. Then I was based in Bournemouth with Porotech but by then I worked mostly remotely with frequent commute to Cambridge. Now with EDR Medeso I travel a lot to Finland, Sweden and Norway and I’m hoping I can get to visit Lithuania and Poland. I have also travelled to conferences in Japan, China, Slovakia, Spain and USA. Unfortunately I do hate flying.
Ben Hanley is chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee, in this role he interviewed Sophia Fox, an experienced Optical Engineer at EDR Medeso, about her journey from struggling with maths to a flourishing international career in Photonics!
In Part two we hear about how Sophia learned what was right for her and what attracted her to a career in Photonics.
What attracted you to Photonics and choosing your degree?
For some reason I loved electromagnetics, they had these courses at university that were my favourite, ironically these were the courses that everyone else in my group hated, but I loved them and I loved the maths modules as well, which again, everyone around me despised. I don’t know, I just like it when things are quite difficult. It’s a challenge. I just love looking at maths. It’s like listening to music. It’s really hard to explain, it’s really satisfying going through the steps and just letting it wash around you like music.
I believe there is a very strong correlation between musicality and maths.
Oh, OK. I never had an instrument, so I’ll have to think about that. But yes, it was just very satisfying. It really helped me understand how things work from a much more conceptual view. I was always quite interested in quantum physics for this reason. How quantum physics works, it all blows my mind that you cannot explain certain things with words or analogies and then you sort of get into that philosophy side of things. I’ve always quite liked it.
I’ve liked the difficult, challenging description of how things work with electromagnetics and then from that with photonics. I enjoy how, especially with simulation, you could see how the light behaves. The work for my PhD dissertation was really satisfying setting that up and seeing how the light behaves.
You see those visualisations and it was just very satisfying. With photonics, you’re making the light behave in unique ways and engineering where you want the light to go. And when you start to add something “simple” like loss, the equations already get quite complicated.
With very complex problems, one will often need to resort to numerical simulation. I always wanted to avoid just plugging in the model into simulation software and I prefer to try to simplify the problem and explain it in as analytical a way as possible. I like to use the maths to analyse the problems and solve the puzzle
What elements of the photonics industry are exciting you at the moment?
I’m quite interested by the lithium niobate technology, because the material has fascinating properties. In my job I’ve seen lithium niobate used in real applications such as electro optic phase modulators, and that exposure made me want to understand how it works and its potential. The material’s nonlinear optics—such as second-harmonic generation and its thermal properties all stem from its interesting crystal structure. I’m motivated to understand the underlying physics, simulate those effects, and I would love an opportunity to work on an application in quantum photonic integrated circuits that leverage these properties.
I am also seeing a rise in applications in quantum computing using quantum photonic integrated circuits, this is another field that fascinates me. I’m looking forward to a chance to simulate how these circuits actually work: understanding the maths behind quantum interference, how quantum information is carried and manipulated by light on-chip, things like this. I’m also interested in how these circuits are practically realised and how loss, noise, and so on impact the performance. I think here, simulation can be extremely helpful for advances in quantum computing.
What can the industry do to attract more people and with that more girls and women? What would you suggest we can do?
I think it’s easier if there’s already women in the industry to attract more women. Everyone’s different but if you are in a minority you might benefit from having a safe channel to vent frustrations without being made to feel guilty/emotional because they’re a woman. Having a supportive mentor to provide both technical guidance and empathetic understanding makes a huge difference.
When I worked offshore, I think that’s the first time I encountered mentoring. So I had a very good boss. He mentored me very well and there was that sense of humour. Culturally the people offshore also kind of looked out for you. I think they were aware that I was a bit scared being in such a male dominated environment so they made an effort to not exclude me from anything and taught me many skills. Everyone looked out for each other and worked together.
Any advice you would give to girls coming through anything that you’ve learned that you would pass on to them?
I’d say don’t expect things to go as planned and don’t give up when that happens.
I had a bit of a crisis after my PhD, because I had always wanted to be in academia, but its not how it use to be anymore. When it doesn’t go your way, go with the flow. New opportunities can happen out of nowhere as long as you don’t give up and wallow in a sort of self pity (which I did for a while).
Ben Hanley is chair of the Opening up Photonics steering committee, in this role he interviewed Sophia Fox, an experienced Optical Engineer at EDR Medeso, about her journey from struggling with maths to a flourishing international career in Photonics! Read part one below.
I’m from quite a quite a poor background, I grew up in a council estate with my mum and my brother, so it was just us in quite a small house. It was quite unconventional but there was a lot of freedom.
My mum was a student and my whole family, were very good at English language, law, things like that. So, from an early age, I just assumed I was bad at maths.
Discovering Maths
At school I struggled with maths and needed extra time to understand things. We were divided into sets of ability, and I was at the bottom of all my sets right up until around about 14. Before then, I couldn’t even add up negative numbers, I just assumed I couldn’t do maths. One day I found a booklet on GCSE papers on the bus, and it had answers and solutions to maths problems, I took it home and looked at the answers and then I would work backwards from the answers, and I found out that I could do maths. It was a good feeling solving these problems, and it became an interest that I enjoyed. I switched from English languages subjects to maths and physics at school. I scraped into university; I just passed to get accepted onto an electrical engineering degree and then in university I blossomed. I’m a bit of a late bloomer and that’s where I really got into electrical engineering and the maths behind that. It was just really, fun. By the end I moved up to a master’s degree and got the Intel prize.
Step into the light
At the end of the degree I was on course for a PhD. I focused on LEDs for my PhD, and it was very fabrication based, and I didn’t like working in the lab. I was terrified of using the chemicals and had a phobia of practical things but I discovered that I liked being at the computer doing circuit diagrams and calculations, so during my PhD I switched to a simulation heavy PhD on modelling of LEDs. My PhD involved electromagnetic modelling of III-Nitride-based LEDs incorporating photonic crystal nanostructures, in addition to electrical and optical characterisation of these devices. I got my PhD which sort of accidentally led me to my job at Wave Optics afterwards modelling optical wave guides for AR applications.
When I got the job, I had to do a crash course in optical engineering to understand things more clearly. Doing optical engineering, we focus on the nano structures and that was quite fun. I was involved in one or two patents from that. Some of that was looking at old papers from the 60s and 70s on microwave electronics so it’s a lot of this photonic crystal stuff. I think it was already done with antennas back in the 60s and 70s. So yes, what we’ve referred to those to sort of look at more optimum nano structures for wave guides. Then I joined Facebook or Metta as they call themselves these days based in Cork in Ireland. With the focus on setting up accurate simulations of micro-LEDs which are challenging devices to model. Just when I was about to begin my role, COVID happened.
The right people and work style
Through COVID we worked purely remotely and that was when I discovered that I was extremely productive in this environment. So, this is a thing from school and from my jobs, I couldn’t really pay attention in the classroom or the office. This is one of the reasons I was quite a slow child and then during my degree I worked mostly from home. When I was studying for school, I would often forge sick notes and skip days at school and go to library to study instead.
I moved on to X Display so that way I managed to get back into electrical engineering a bit to sort of justify my student loan. I met a lot, very interesting and lovely people. That was the first time I worked in an efficient team and learnt a lot about drivers for ASICS, things like this and it was very good to get an overview of how displays work because before I had not been involved in what other teams did in terms of display production. I was sad to leave X Display but afterwards I worked at Porotech and back to micro-LEDs, specifically the use of porous material inside the LEDs. That was a challenge because there was absolutely no information about the devices at all, so I had to set up simulations with very limited knowledge which I managed to do. After a while the work became quite routine, it was just churning out results so then I joined EDR Medeso as an optical and photonics engineer, providing Technical Support, and I doubt I will ever complain about being bored again. I’m exposed to a massive range of applications from photonic integrated circuits, medical engineering to general lighting. The work is continually changing and is remote so I can focus very well.