60 Second Interview with.....Stuart Musgrove
IFST member and Chartered Scientist, Stuart Musgrove, talks about why he joined IFST, his biggest professional achievement and what he sees as the main challenge of leading IFST’s new Volunteers and Networks Committee.
Why did you join IFST?
SM: I joined because I was asked to by my boss. The department where I worked was in the middle of the golden circle - Leicester, Derby, Nottingham - of the Midland Branch. He was a great supporter of the local Branch, which was very vibrant at the time and held regular meetings - particularly afternoon visits and evening discussions. Although it was in the days - nay decades - before CPD requirements, he believed that it was part of his job to develop and support all the staff, so if there was a meeting - it was in a car and perhaps four staff would attend.
What’s your biggest professional achievement?
SM: Perhaps managing the Somerset Council response to the Foot and Mouth outbreak in 2001. Not perhaps the obvious example for a food scientist but my microbiological training was invaluable to refute the increasingly bizarre statements of the local politicians and suggested actions that were being made. I insisted that every action had to based on sound science; it was not always popular but in Somerset we had significantly lower number of outbreaks than the surrounding rural counties.
You are leading the new Volunteers and Networks Committee, what do you see as the main challenge?
SM: The IFST has a strategy to increase the membership; at this stage I see the role of the new committee is not only to ensure that those new members are embraced by the IFST so that we know what they want from the Institute, and so that it can be provided. Perhaps - more importantly - I hope the Institute can inspire those both new to the organisation, and also current members, to use their unique skills to benefit the other members as well. Please contact Erin Taylor at E.Taylor@ifst.org if you would like to get involved.
How do you keep yourself up to date with current food science and technology knowledge?
SM: Currently as a Food Law Enforcement consultant I am interested in new legislation that is being formulated in Europe and its application in the UK - particularly in the enforcement of that legislation. The internet is now my main source of information but I still purchase the occasional food related technical texts.
And finally, tell us something about yourself that few people know
SM: I have been involved in managing sites for their nature conservation interest since my early teens.