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.
