Michael F Byrne

Michael Byrne graduated in 1954 with a degree in chemical engineering, and was proud to see his daughter and grandson follow in his footsteps at Birmingham. He attributed his success in his career to his University studies.

When he passed away in 2009, Michael’s family made a gift in his name from his estate of £850,000 to Birmingham, to help show young people what chemical engineering is and why it is so exciting to study. And for those who choose it as a degree subject, the Michael Byrne Scholarship helps with the costs of studying.

Jon brings Michael’s vision to life in schools

Jon Wood became the Byrne Outreach Fellow in 2013. He said:

'How can you aspire to be a chemical engineer if you don’t know what that is? I turn our chemical engineering teaching and research into workshops and activities for schools outreach at all levels.

‘I show pupils how chemical engineering brings together all the things they are learning in their separate chemistry, biology and physics lessons in the real world. I love helping them realise that everything in their lives, from their mobiles phones to the cereal they ate for breakfast, is engineered from the periodic table.

‘I’m usually talking to pupils around age 14; it’s a key time because, if they discover an interest at this age, they can choose relevant A-levels. For example, some don’t realise how useful maths will be as a chemical engineer.

Helping overcome barriers to study

Jon adds: ‘I often speak in schools where few pupils go on to university, so my plan is to both inspire them and show them it is possible. They love the idea that ten years from now they could be the first Doctor in their family, working on solving global problems like waste plastic.

‘We offer practical support through scholarships like the Michael Byrne Scholarship for chemical engineering students, plus the Pathways to Birmingham programme across all subject areas, with financial help supported by thousands of alumni.

‘I qualified for free school meals as a kid and would likely be offered outreach support like this if I was at school today. I couldn’t do my job without the gift Michael Byrne made; he is having a huge impact on people he never met and awakening their curiosity about the world.

‘I meet thousands of pupils every year, and while I’m thrilled when I see some of them again at our Birmingham Open Days, the real goal is to help each kid be the best they can be, whatever route they pursue. Nowadays, I’m also magnifying Michael Byrne’s gift by teaching postgraduate researchers across the University to do outreach work like this in schools, so we can reach many more pupils every year.’

Thousands of children have benefited from Michael’s generous gift and many have been inspired to study chemical engineering.