John Collins
ECG Bulletin January 2022
John Collins is Deputy Director of Evidence Assessment and Evaluation at the Environment Agency
What inspired you to become a scientist?
Science was what I was good at in school. The idea of being at the forefront of knowledge drew me in. I enjoyed watching my dad’s favourite television programme, Tomorrow’s World.
What inspired you to become a scientist?
Science was what I was good at in school. The idea of being at the forefront of knowledge drew me in. I enjoyed watching my dad’s favourite television programme, Tomorrow’s World.
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How did you come to specialise in science for the environment?
After four years doing development and technical management in industry together with my chemistry background, I was ideally suited to the job of an Inspector of Pollution. Since then, having taken on a whole range of roles across the Environment Agency’s remit in local operations and in head office, I am well placed to understand and provide many of the evidence needs for the organisation. Could you describe your current job? I lead a team which provides the evidence that underpins many of the key decisions, messages, and policy advice for the Environment Agency. The work is very wide-ranging, covering air and land, but predominantly water issues. We publish state of the environment reports, evaluate the effectiveness of waste crime interventions, produce narratives on persistent pollutants, and design chemical indicators for Defra’s 25 Year Environment Plan – and much more. |
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What advice would you give to anyone considering a career in environmental chemistry?
Look at the range of possibilities. They are many and varied. They range from working in a lab and doing research to designing chemicals’ policies in government and to helping industry understand the impacts of their emissions on the environment. There are many routes to using your skills.
What are some of the challenges facing the environmental chemistry community?
For me, there are two world crises we need to address: climate change and biodiversity loss. As I write, we are still trying to get to grips with COVID-19, but we will learn to cope. Climate change and biodiversity loss are potentially existential issues and will need a cross-disciplinary effort to solve. Chemists, and particularly environmental chemists, will play important roles in finding solutions.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
The Environment Agency is very good at dealing with serious incidents. I spent a significant part of my career in operations management. I led our local Area in Herts and North London through the Buncefield fire. One of the many challenges related to the release, and potential impacts, of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in fire-fighting foams, so it was useful to have a chemistry background. The incident involved applying science, but also many other activities, working across a wide range of subjects, and dealing with a diverse range of people including cabinet ministers, industrialists, emergency services, and other regulators, as well as looking after my own team. That said, I now get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that the work my team does enables the EA to make important decisions and speak influentially for the environment in many different forums.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you do?
A very good question. As I said, I really enjoyed my time in operations management. Maybe there would be something in that. Otherwise, I think it would have to be something creative.
And what do you do when you are not working?
One of my main roles is as a taxi driver for my children. When I am not doing that, I enjoy cycling around the forests where I live, sailing when I get the chance, and watching Liverpool FC play football.
Look at the range of possibilities. They are many and varied. They range from working in a lab and doing research to designing chemicals’ policies in government and to helping industry understand the impacts of their emissions on the environment. There are many routes to using your skills.
What are some of the challenges facing the environmental chemistry community?
For me, there are two world crises we need to address: climate change and biodiversity loss. As I write, we are still trying to get to grips with COVID-19, but we will learn to cope. Climate change and biodiversity loss are potentially existential issues and will need a cross-disciplinary effort to solve. Chemists, and particularly environmental chemists, will play important roles in finding solutions.
What is the most rewarding aspect of your career so far?
The Environment Agency is very good at dealing with serious incidents. I spent a significant part of my career in operations management. I led our local Area in Herts and North London through the Buncefield fire. One of the many challenges related to the release, and potential impacts, of perfluorooctanesulfonic acid (PFOS) in fire-fighting foams, so it was useful to have a chemistry background. The incident involved applying science, but also many other activities, working across a wide range of subjects, and dealing with a diverse range of people including cabinet ministers, industrialists, emergency services, and other regulators, as well as looking after my own team. That said, I now get a great deal of satisfaction knowing that the work my team does enables the EA to make important decisions and speak influentially for the environment in many different forums.
If you weren’t a scientist, what would you do?
A very good question. As I said, I really enjoyed my time in operations management. Maybe there would be something in that. Otherwise, I think it would have to be something creative.
And what do you do when you are not working?
One of my main roles is as a taxi driver for my children. When I am not doing that, I enjoy cycling around the forests where I live, sailing when I get the chance, and watching Liverpool FC play football.
