Matthew Overett

What position do you currently hold and where? I am currently a Principal Scientist in the R&D division of at an international petrochemical company

What does your job involve? I have been developing new chemicals technology which is currently being commercialised in the USA. The technology centres on a novel catalyst system for the selective conversion of ethylene (a basic building block molecule in the petrochemical industry) into 1-octene, a co-monomer used in the synthesis of polyethylene (a plastic used in packaging). My role has been both scientific and managerial – a large team is involved in the extremely challenging task of taking a bench-scale breakthrough towards commercial implementation.

What led you to choose UTS:Law for your studies? My current role has included technical responsibility for the patent portfolio protecting our new catalysts and processes. As inventor and technical expert, I have been involved in the drafting and prosecution of patents in jurisdictions around the world, working closely with in-house and outside patent attorneys. I have really enjoyed this aspect of my work, and seen the opportunity to develop a career in intellectual property law as a patent attorney myself. UTS is the ideal university for me in this regard: it combines a high quality of education with the flexibility required by those with existing work responsibilities.

Was your decision to study the Master of Intellectual Property to advance your current career path or a career change? A career change, though one inspired by aspects of my current job that I enjoy, and excel at.

How have your studies at UTS contributed to your career as a whole? How have they informed the way you work? I am certainly confident that my studies at UTS will contribute to the fulfilment of my career aspirations in the near future.

What was the most rewarding aspect of your degree? Why? As a scientist with limited previous exposure to legal matters, I have really enjoyed seeing how the law operates in the context of intellectual property. The development of broader principles from real-life cases breathes life and dynamism into intellectual property law, and I have found it very intellectually stimulating when asked to to distill out the essential features from both case law and statute applicable to a particular problem situation.

What is the most useful or important thing you have learned from your studies at UTS? I have learned how to analyse an intellectual property problem lucidly, and then to express the solution concisely and clearly in writing. My studies have also given me a great theoretical background, which I hope to put into practice in my future career.

Was there anyone in particular at the University who had a significant influence on your studies? Many of the lecturers have extensive real-life experience as practitioners in their area of intellectual property practice, which is of tremendous benefit to the students. Perhaps it is unfair to single out someone in particular, but Jane Rawlings really brought Trade Marks Law to life for me.

What would your advice be for someone who is looking at studying Law at UTS? The Masters of Intellectual Property Programme is entirely distance-based, which of course is an important reason why working professionals choose it. Therefore, it is important for students to make an extra effort to proactively engage with the lecturers and fellow students via the forums provided. Learning provided by discussion and questioning is an important part of a traditional university experience, and while this is still possible via a distance programme, it requires a little extra effort and thought on the part of students.

Is there anything else you’d like to add about your experience at UTS:Law, or the University as a whole? The online platform for studying works extremely well, and I have found the lecturers very approachable. I have thoroughly enjoyed my studies so far.

Find out more about our Master in Intellectual Property program at our information evening.