Prof. Sonya Calnan Loughborough

Over Black History Month we spoke with Prof. Sonya Calnan, Professor of Energy Engineering at Loughborough University.

Who has inspired you in science?

Many people, to be honest, I cannot pinpoint any individual. What I can say is that I have been given many opportunities and trust by former supervisors and leaders and I am grateful for that.

Why did you choose science as a career?

I liked finding out how things worked or were made from an early age.

What are the biggest challenges you faced in your early career?

Lack of career guidance.

Why do think there is a lack of diversity in senior positions in STEM?  

Seniority depends a lot on a solid track-record in research and connections.  It is likely most minorities have had their university education and early research career at institutions with few connections that matter for visibility and for collaboration. These institutions also tend to have insufficient infrastructure and resources to enable the scientists to generate impactful research.  

What are you working on now?

Establishing my laboratory and group at Loughborough University looking at energy and chemical conversions involving hydrogen and its derivatives with the aim of enhancing efficiency at scale.

What advice would you give to someone starting out in STEM research today?

Learn as much as you can and be proactive seek out internships to find out what interests you as early as possible.

Prof. Sonya Calnan will be speaking at our Catalysis for sustainable hydrogen production meeting at University of Manchester on 12 December 2025.

Author:

Prof. Sonya Calnan, Professor of Energy Engineering, Wolfson School of Mechanical, Electrical and Manufacturing Engineering, Loughborough University
EnerHy EPSRC Centre for Doctoral Training in Engineering Hydrogen Net Zero