5 October 2026

Black History Month: honouring our communities in materials, minerals and mining

An interview with EMM3 Group Chair, Dr Norman Keane FIMMM.

October marks Black History Month in the UK. This year's theme, Honouring Our Communities, invites us to recognise the people, networks and support systems that shape our lives, careers and sense of belonging.

We spoke to Norman Keane, Chair of EMM3, IOM3's lived experience community, about the communities that have influenced his career, the importance of representation and belonging, and how professional networks can help create opportunities for current and future generations working across materials, minerals and mining.

In this Q&A, Norman reflects on the people who have supported and inspired him, discusses his experiences in the profession, and shares his thoughts on how individuals and organisations can contribute to a more inclusive and connected sector.

1. Your career journey

Can you tell us a little about your career journey and what first drew you to materials, minerals and mining? Were there particular people, mentors, or communities that helped shape your path?

I have always had a passion for science and technology and grew up at a time when I was influenced by the Apollo missions to the moon, science on TV in the 70s and 80s such as Tomorrow’s World and Horizon. In 1982, I was the first in my family to go to university at a time when it was rare for someone from a Black working-class background to do so. I studied Chemical Physics at Manchester and stayed on there to do a PhD in chemical reaction dynamics using molecular beam scattering. Even though I won a best thesis prize, I didn’t feel that I had the networking and influencing skills to become a successful academic able to secure the funding I would need to establish my own group. So, I joined ICI and moved into the emerging field of materials in 1988. I could see the long-term potential of plastics and composites to transform how we manufacture all kinds of products.

I started at ICI Advanced Materials in Wilton before moving to ICI Polyurethanes in Brussels in 1991. Over time, I gradually moved from lab research to project leadership roles and, in 1999, moved to Elementis’ Linatex Rubber Products in Kuala Lumpur as Global Research & Technology Manager. This was followed by a stint in the US with Elementis before returning to Malaysia in 2004 as Vice President Science & Technology for Ansell, the world leader in PPE gloves. After 8 years with Ansell and a further stint with Linatex, then owned by Weir, I returned to the UK in 2017. My first role back in the UK after 25 years was as CTO for D3O, then I joined Ingevity as Director of Innovation in 2020. Today I operate as an independent industrial science consultant, and support academia through my voluntary roles with the SCHEMA hub Oxford and Strathclyde University, respectively.

The people who had the biggest impact on my career were firstly my science and maths teachers at my comprehensive school who willed me to succeed and to ‘aim for the stars’. Then, secondly, my early career managers at ICI placed a lot of trust in my technical ability to solve problems even though I didn’t have a background in polymers or plastics education, but I was able and willing to learn these new technologies and to seize opportunities fast.

2. Honouring our communities

This year's Black History Month theme is Honouring Our Communities. What does that theme mean to you personally, and which communities have had the greatest influence on your life and career?

My parents were part of the so-called Windrush generation of immigrants from the Caribbean. I owe them everything. They were hard workers. They believed in the transformative power of education. I wasn’t going to let them down by not honouring their sacrifices, by not putting everything I could into trying to be successful.

3. Representation and belonging

Why is representation important in materials, minerals and mining? How can organisations help ensure people from all backgrounds feel a genuine sense of belonging?

The key thing is for leaders to show their trust in all their people. As I mentioned, early in my career with ICI, a lot of trust was placed in me, and that gave me the confidence to deliver. I can sense when that trust isn’t there, and it is inhibiting, as you know that whatever you do, it won’t be good enough for one or two individuals. I don’t believe in tokenism; positions have to be earned, but once earned, trust people and support them when they need it.

4. Progress and challenges

From your own experience, what challenges can Black professionals still encounter in STEM, engineering and related fields? Have you seen positive changes during your career?

It’s hard to convey, as there are so few Black professionals in STEM in the UK, Europe, Asia, and even the US. I believe it starts with the general cultural attitude that STEM isn’t ‘really’ for Black people. You don’t see Black ‘geeks’ or science ‘nerds’ in our popular culture. However, if you go to Africa, you’ll meet lots of Black people in STEM, so it seems to be linked to Western culture. This feeds into our schools and goes on from there.

A few of us fought against the prevailing culture and succeeded, but there are very few. Medicine seems to be different; I don’t know why that is. Is it changing? I don’t think so. It’s maybe gone backwards. The numbers may be slightly up, but the cultural attitudes, I don’t think, have changed.

5. The role of IOM3 and EMM3

What role can professional institutes such as IOM3 play in building supportive communities and creating opportunities? How does EMM3 contribute to that mission?

Institutes provide a space for professionals to take on voluntary roles that support their leadership development and provide speaking opportunities to develop vital presentation skills. Many continue to emphasise the importance of fulfilling their EDI policies, especially as they continue to look to grow globally.

I see EMM3’s role as ensuring that whilst EDI remains important within IOM3, IOM3 does not revert to seeing EDI through a narrow gender equality lens.

6. Looking to the future

What advice would you give to a student or early-career professional from a Black background considering a career in our sectors? And what is one thing you would like IOM3 members to reflect on during Black History Month and beyond?

I have two pieces of advice for an early-career Black Professional or student:

Aim for excellence in whatever field you are in.
Don’t ‘hide’ – by that I mean people see you and will make a judgment quickly. Take on roles, answer questions, step up — speak up. Make it impossible for you to be ignored because of your excellence!

For Black History Month, I would like IOM3 members to reflect on the low numbers of Black people in STEM subjects and professions and to ask if there’s anything they can do to make a start to change things.