Beyond Technical Excellence: Leadership, Inclusion, and the Human Skills Shaping Chromatography’s Future

Analytical chemistry has long been defined by rigor and precision. Yet as chromatographic techniques become more deeply embedded in interdisciplinary research and decision‑making environments, leadership and inclusion have emerged as critical factors shaping the discipline’s future.

In a recent roundtable discussion, Amandaa Brewer from Arkema, Paola Tiedemann of Texas Tech University, Chelsea Plummer from Waters Corporation, and Jen Field from Shimadzu UK explored the structural and interpersonal skills required to build sustainable scientific teams and inclusive laboratory cultures.

Structural Inclusion Begins in the Laboratory

When discussing inclusion, Brewer focused first on laboratory safety and institutional policy—particularly as they relate to life transitions such as pregnancy.

She described how evolving safety frameworks allowed her responsibilities to shift during periods when exposure risks needed to be minimized, without jeopardizing her role or career trajectory. Clear policies, signage, and proactive leadership, she noted, send a powerful signal that scientists are supported as whole people.

“These are careers with real health implications at certain times of life,” she explained, emphasizing that safety‑first practices empower scientists rather than limiting them.

Cross‑Training and Community

Plummer highlighted the value of cross‑training and structured development opportunities in both industry and academia. Cross‑trained teams, she explained, are more resilient and more inclusive, especially for individuals who may be hesitant to self‑advocate.

She also pointed to employee resource groups and professional networks as mechanisms that normalize diverse experiences and provide support systems beyond immediate workgroups.

Mentorship Versus Sponsorship

A key distinction raised during the discussion was between mentorship and sponsorship. While mentors offer advice, sponsors actively create opportunities.

Sponsors, the panelists agreed, are the people who advocate for scientists in rooms they do not yet occupy—by nominating them for awards, supporting conference travel, or recommending them for leadership roles.

“They’re the ones who trust your expertise and say your name when you’re not there,” Tiedemann explained. “Those people are essential to have, because it enables you to evolve, to grow, and make you feel like you know you're valued.”

Undervalued Skills with Outsized Impact

When asked which skills are undervalued in traditional scientific training, communication emerged as a dominant theme.

“If you can’t explain it in a court of law,” said Tiedemann, speaking from her forensic background, “it’s kind of useless.”

Beyond communication, panelists emphasized team building, mentoring, and conflict navigation as essential leadership skills rarely taught explicitly in science curricula.

Addressing the transition from technical expert to leader, Field reflected on the need to balance analytical depth with decisiveness. “Sometimes we get stuck in analysis paralysis,” she said, noting that leadership often requires making informed choices with incomplete data. Human dynamics cannot be managed through data alone. Effective leaders must combine technical insight with emotional intelligence. “You can’t just drag people along,” Field observed. “You need them to understand why you’re moving in a certain direction.”

Shaping the Future, Collectively

The discussion closed where many careers began: early exposure to science. Outreach to schools, lab visits, guest lectures, and informal mentoring were all identified as powerful tools for shaping future analytical chemists.

“Some of the most fun I’ve ever had,” Plummer said, “is doing chromatography demos in elementary schools.”

The panelists also acknowledged progress. Several noted that they had not experienced overt exclusion during their careers—a sign that representation and cultural norms are evolving. The ultimate goal, they agreed, is a field where diversity no longer requires explanation, and inclusion is simply assumed.

Until then, the responsibility remains collective and continuous—embedded in everyday choices to explain, encourage, and advocate.

For the full discussion, listen to the panelists here: https://www.chromatographyonline.com/journals/column/march-2026