Dr Scott Watson he/him

I am a Senior Lecturer (from 1st Aug!) working in the area of optics and photonics. I am currently interested in the design, fabrication and characterisation of blue laser technology for applications from optical communications to quantum technologies, however I am very much interested in exploring their role in healthcare, environmental sensing and AI, amongst others.

I currently have a PIADS CDT student in their final year who is designing, fabricating and characterising these GaN lasers for use in optical atomic clocks. There are a number of key parameters that need to be optimised for this and I envisage a DiveIn CDT student to build on this, but for a new application area. I am also open to supervising students working in the general area of photonics for different applications. I am particularly excited by the possibility of having interdisciplinary collaborations to work with chemists, biologists or AI researchers and explore how photonics can be applied in these fields.

My research passion lies very much in bridging fundamental science with real-world impact. My group focuses on device innovation, working closely with many industrial partners. We combine semiconductor device engineering, fabrication and characterisation, and are always looking to collaborate with application-focused researchers – whether that is in quantum, life sciences or data technologies – to integrate our devices into broader systems.

As a supervisor, I value independence and curiosity and I always encourage my students to take ownership of their work, while providing structured guidance and mentorship. I aim to foster a supportive, inclusive environment where it’s safe to express feelings and propose bold ideas.
Equity, diversity and inclusion are central to how I work and I have a passion for outreach and engagement, especially encouraging underrepresented groups to explore STEM subjects. I am committed to creating an environment where all students feel welcome.

Outside of work, I like football, golf, music and playing poker.