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Biography

Elizabeth was inspired to study chemistry by her chemistry teacher at Bloomfield Collegiate School Belfast. After reading chemistry at Queens University Belfast, she gained employment as a research chemist at Gallaher Tobacco in 1975. After two years there, she was drawn to teaching at further education level. Initially she taught at Limavady Technical College, and moved to the College of Technology Belfast (later renamed Belfast Metropolitan College) in 1979 where she remained for 35 years. She taught a range of courses including GCSE and A-level Chemistry, HND Environmental Science and HND Applied Chemistry.

Remember that anything that one contributes is very useful and worthwhile.

Elizabeth Cairnduff

Q&A

Can you tell us more about your work?

Encouraged by Mr Caulfield Wilson, my head of department at the College of Technology Belfast, I joined the Northern Ireland Local Section Committee at the AGM in March 1981 and was immediately asked to be assistant secretary, which I did for two years. This was followed by the joint post of honorary secretary and treasurer for five years, with a further co-option of two years, then vice chairman, chairman and currently minutes secretary. Since retiring, I have organised events for the Local Section retired members, including an afternoon tea and an annual visit and lunch. I help at the Top of the Bench competition each year and have taken part in local schools careers days. I also help with presenting at the annual Northern Ireland Science Festival, especially on the Belfast Barge during the Water Wonders event for families. I sat on the Womens’ Chemists Committee when it was first instigated and I am currently the Northern Ireland Section representative on the Ireland Regional Committee.

What inspired or motivated you to volunteer with the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø? 

My head of department was a great advocate for the organisation and pointed out the benefits of volunteering, from travelling around the UK to Section Secretaries conferences, visiting and meeting HQ staff at Burlington House and helping to demonstrate that further education lecturers should be treated with the same respect as other higher education colleagues.

Tell us about any highlights or memorable experiences you have had as a volunteer. 

My most memorable experiences have been bringing my love of chemistry to primary school children during NI Science Festival and while helping at Top of the Bench, encouraging the school pupils to continue to love the subject which many think is too hard for them.

What has been the biggest challenge when volunteering? 

My biggest challenge was taking on the role of chair in a committee of very experienced, older professional male chemists while I was quite young, inexperienced and female.

Do you have any advice for managing volunteering commitments alongside a busy work life? 

Obviously work life is very important so the volunteering commitments sometimes have to take second place. Do not think you can attend every event organised for the volunteer but remember that anything that one contributes is very useful and worthwhile.

What impact has volunteering with the ºÚÁÏÉçÇø had on you, either personally or professionally? 

Personally, it has given me so many opportunities to meet people but also has helped develop resilience and strength to cope with many different situations. It has also improved my organisational skills which were very useful when I became first head of chemistry and then head of science at work.