New Professors in Practice Strengthen Industry Links 

The Department of Chemistry is delighted to welcome Dr Mike Bainbridge, Global R&D Director for Catalyst Technologies at Johnson Matthey, as our newest Professor in Practice, and to celebrate the reappointment of Dr Anju Massey-Brooker for a second term in the same role. 

Bridging Academia and Industry 

As Professor in Practice, Mike will advise the Department and University on: 

• Strengthening industry-academia research collaborations; 

• Shaping Durham’s undergraduate chemistry curriculum to align with industry needs; 

• Enhancing engagement with regional, national, and international chemical sectors. 

Mike said: “I am delighted to take up this position and look forward to building an even-stronger connection with the University, using my knowledge and experience to help prepare the next generation of scientists and engineers for careers in industry”. 

His appointment builds on a long-standing partnership between Johnson Matthey and the Department, including: 

• Hosting undergraduate placement students and research fellows; 

• Collaborative postgraduate research programmes; 

• Regular recruitment of Durham graduates; 

• Participation in the Department’s External Advisory Board; 

• An inspiring guest seminar by Johnson Matthey’s CTO, Dr Liz Rowsell, marking International Women and Girls in Science Day 2025. 

Most recently, Johnson Matthey and the Department have announced that in October 2025 a new cohort of five PhD students will begin collaborative research in projects sustainable chemical technologies and catalysis. 

About Dr Mike Bainbridge 

Dr Bainbridge leads a global team of over 250 scientists and engineers at Johnson Matthey’s R&D Centres across Teesside, Perstorp (Sweden) and Savannah (US). A Durham alumnus (MSc in Chemical Process Technology, 1999), he holds a PhD in homogeneous catalysis from the University of York and has been involved in the commercialisation of catalysts and process technology in his 20 plus-year career in industry. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, a Chartered Chemist, and serves on the EPSRC Energy and Decarbonisation Strategic Advisory Team, Research England’s Hydrogen Innovation Projects Industrial Liaison Group and the Research & Innovation Committee for the Gulf Petrochemicals and Chemicals Association (GPCA). 

About Dr Anju Massey-Brooker 

Dr Massey-Brooker leads the Royal Society of Chemistry’s Sustainable Polymers in Liquid Formulations (PLFs) programme and Industry Task Force. She is also a Senior Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. Formerly R&D Director at Procter & Gamble, she brings 28 years of experience in product and technology innovation, with over 50 patents and multiple innovation awards. 

Professors in Practice at Durham 

Now in its sixth year, Durham’s Professors in Practice initiative connects students and faculty with leading professionals from across many different sectors. These appointments ensure the curriculum remains aligned with industry needs and help students develop the skills and perspectives required for future success. Professors in Practice also support the translation of academic research into real-world impact.