Future Photonics Leaders

LightTalks II – TBC

SPIE Photonics Europe 2026 – Fireside Chat – 14th of April 2026

Photonics Means 2025 – Careers Panel – 10th of October 2025

LightTalks I – Optics & Photonics Meet-Up – 29th of May 2025

Remit and Focus (Draft)

The FPL will focus on fostering an environment that maximises the awareness and expansion of photonics knowledge and application supporting the widest best in-class adoption, just as the PLG does.  It is anticipated FPL will be particularly focused on ensuring the photonics ecosystem of the future is one that FPL participants will be proud of and motivated to lead (whether in industry or academia), would recommend to others and provides rewarding, accessible, welcoming, career opportunities.  It will be self-organised and open to all.

Proposed FPL activities

• Organise, chair and report on FPL meetings as required
  • Meetings are anticipated to be predominantly virtual to maximise participation
  • Input and feedback on FPL activities and emerging opinions from future leaders to the PLG
  • Feed into FPL activities and discussion from the current PLG
• Be the representative voice of fellow future photonics leaders.
  • Participate in international panels and interaction with trade press on topical issues e.g. net-zero, people supply, future horizons.
  • Input into government policy consultations (e.g. Semicon strategy, Quantum strategy, etc.) either independently or as part of PLG responses.
  • Represent the FPL community at events across the country in government, with at learned societies and public events e.g. Westminster Photonics and Quantum showcase.
  • Nominate a representative to attend quarterly PLG meetings
• Interface and liaise with parallel early career focused groups nationally in UK and internationally e.g.
  • Opening Up-Photonics
  • AILU Early Career Researchers Committee
  • Relevant Centres for Doctoral Training
  • Early career groups in professional societies… etc
• Communicate and promote photonics
  • Generate blog articles and news for PLG website & ~1/4ly(ish) newsletter
  • Manage the careers section of the PLG website, including career case studies & resources
• Inputs into PLG projects and reports e.g. ‘Future Horizon scanning’, ‘Photonics Vision for 2035’
  • Overall community bandwidth to develop these is limited and therefore they are developed on occasional adhoc basis.

All activities will depend on the the interests, capabilities, bandwidth and willingness of the community of potential future photonics leaders.

Committee

The current officers for the Future Photonics Leaders group were elected in December 2025.

Whilst lead responsibilities are identified for the various roles, the group will be run collaboratively with flexibility required in all roles to evenly share responsibilities, workload and fit with professional commitments. All roles are voluntary. The PLG will provide support, coaching and guidance. Officer terms are one year long. The current officer positions are listed below.

Chair – The Chair is the primary representative and coordinator of the Future Photonics Leaders (FPL) Group.

• Provides strategic leadership and ensures the group operates in alignment with its aims and objectives.
• Chairs FPL quarterly meetings, setting the agenda and ensuring effective and inclusive discussion.
• Represents the FPL Group at Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) quarterly meetings and the PLG AGM.
• Acts as the main point of contact between the FPL Group, the PLG, and external stakeholders.
• Oversees the work of the Vice Chair, Secretary, and Committee Members, ensuring continuity and accountability.
• Leads major initiatives, delegating tasks where appropriate.

Vice Chair – The Vice Chair supports the Chair and ensures continuity of leadership.

• Assists the Chair in strategic oversight of the group’s activities.
• Acts as Chair during any period in which the Chair is unavailable or the position is vacant.
• May also represent the FPL Group at Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) quarterly meetings and the PLG AGM.
• Supports the coordination of committee contributions and subgroup activities (e.g., events, outreach, content creation).
• Contributes to planning agendas and facilitating quarterly meetings.
• Helps maintain communication between Officers, Committee Members, and Ordinary Members.
• Takes a leading role in specific projects or workstreams as agreed with the Chair.

Secretary – The Secretary manages the group’s administrative, organisational, and record-keeping functions.

• Prepares and circulates agendas for quarterly meetings in consultation with the Chair and Vice Chair.
• Records accurate minutes of meetings and distributes them to Committee Members and Ordinary Members as appropriate.
• Maintains membership records, including Committee eligibility and Ordinary Member status.
• May also represent the FPL Group at Photonics Leadership Group (PLG) quarterly meetings and the PLG AGM.
• Manages internal communications, including group emails, meeting notifications, and documentation.
• Ensures continuity of documentation across terms and assists incoming Officers with handover materials.

Election process

The process to elect the officers of the Future Photonics Leaders is:

• FPL committee members are invited to submit candidacies for the officer positions with a 1-2 paragraph statement.
• The list of candidates is circulated to all members of the FPL committee and the FPL mentors.
• The FPL mentors announce the election results
• It is expected that the next election will take place during December 2026.