Bluebell Drummond

The technology of organic electronics unlocks new ways to create semiconductor devices that are impossible using more conventional materials. Simply put, organic semiconductors can be easy to process, stable and non-toxic, and the variety of possible molecular designs is vast. In many optoelectronic applications, controlling the electron’s spin (up or down) is paramount in achieving efficient processes. My research focuses on using complementary experimental techniques, sensitive to either spin or optical processes, to elucidate how we can control spin through molecular design.

What's one piece of advice you wish you could've told your younger self?

Some of the most important and interesting science happens at the intersection of different fields of research: interdisciplinarity drives innovation. Do not be afraid to take courses in unfamiliar topics or expose yourself to research outside of your comfort zone.

Anything else you'd like to share with us (e.g. your outreach activities, hobbies, achievements etc)

I'm really proud to say that this year I've fulfilled my life-long dream of learning to fly. I've been learning to fly gliders (engineless planes) in the periods that lockdown has permitted, and I'm hoping to reach 'solo' flying status soon!