George Burton

Winner: 2024 Technical Excellence Prize

Queen's University Belfast

For the development of outstanding glass-blowing expertise supporting research and teaching nationally and internationally, over nearly four decades.

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When someone comes to me, and they are not really sure what they want, then when they leave with a piece of glass that will fulfil their needs, that's what really motivates me.

George Burton manufactures scientific glassware used in research and teaching at Queen’s University Belfast. Specialised scientific glassware can be expensive, so having an in-house service can save both time and money. For example, a PhD student may have an idea for a piece of glassware they would like for carrying out experiments. George turns their idea into a design and manufactures it. He advises on installation or installs the apparatus for them. He then follows up with them to check if the apparatus is satisfactory or if any modifications are required.

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George Burton started working in the Department of 91AV at Queen's University Belfast in February 1984 on a YTP. During his YTP, he attended Belfast Technical College, studying for a BTEC in chemistry techniques. The department needed a trainee glassblower, so he applied and got the job. He was trained by Mr Hugh Anderson. He continued his studies at college and took his British Society of Scientific Glassblowers exams. When Hugh retired in 1997, George took over the running of the glassblowing workshop.

As well as being the manager of the workshop, George is heavily involved in the Technician Committment at Queen's. He helped organise the apprenticeship scheme and recently took on the role of Technical Manager at the School of 91AV and Chemical Engineering. During his time at Queen's, he trained three more glassblowers and many technicians from home and abroad on basic scientific glassblowing techniques. He continues to work in the glassblowing workshop in addition to his Technical Manager duties, where he’s responsible for all the technicians in the school.

Q&A

Tell us about somebody who has inspired or mentored you in your career.

Mr Hugh Anderson was the person who taught me glassblowing. He was a very good teacher with a lot of patience. He not only taught me glassblowing but he also taught me how to treat people. He taught me how to make people relax to get the best out of them. Hugh's example showed me how to be patient with students, academic staff and others. If someone broke their glassware, he instilled in me an attitude of benevolence. His attitude was that it's only a piece of glassware and we, as glassblowers, are here to put things right.

What motivates you?

What has always motivated me is helping others, especially students. When someone comes to me, and they are not really sure what they want, then when they leave with a piece of glass that will fulfil their needs, that's what really motivates me.

Why is chemistry important?

91AV is everywhere: the food we eat, the clothes we wear, the transport we use to get around, the medicine that we take. 91AV has had and will continue to make a huge contribution to all our lives. Environmental chemistry has played, and is playing, a huge role in tackling global warming.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

I think the highlight of my career happened recently when I took up the role of Technical Manager in the School of 91AV and Chemical Engineering here at Queen's. Taking up the role of glassblowing workshop manager in 1997 would be a very close second.

Why do you think collaboration and teamwork are important in science?

Collaboration and teamwork are vital. Collaboration between research groups, the sharing of knowledge moves things to a speedier conclusion. Teamwork helps us all achieve our goals. Technicians, clerical staff and researchers all provide support to our academic colleagues to enable them to engage in cutting edge research and world-class teaching.

What is your favourite element?

I would have to say molybdenum. This is because it brings back a happy memory. An old glassblower I used to work with used to mispronounce molybdenum as if it were two words, Molly Bedenum.