SCHEMA affiliates present at UK Catalysis Conference

The UK Catalysis Conference 2026 brought together researchers, industry experts, and emerging leaders from across the UK and internationally for a three-day programme of cutting-edge science, collaboration, and community. Held in Loughborough, this flagship event was a must-attend for the catalysis community. Building on the success of UKCC 2025, which featured over 50 oral presentations, 25 keynote and plenary lectures, and a vibrant poster session, UKCC 2026 had an exceptional scientific programme spanning all areas of catalysis — including heterogeneous, homogeneous, electrocatalysis, photocatalysis, and biocatalysis.

SCHEMA doctoral affiliates Rosie Thorogood and Katharina Eisenhardt

Prof Kylie Vincent delivered a plenary presentation at the conference

SCHEMA was well represented by academics and researchers in attendance - Prof Kylie Vincent delivered a plenary presentation titled "Operando studies of biocatalysis", Profs Graham Hutchings and Charlotte Williams were session chairs, and Prof Richard Catlow chaired the Professor Edman Tsang memorial lecture session. Two SCHEMA doctoral affiliates presented their research:

Katharina Eisenhardt: Quantifying the Influences of Epoxide Binding in Epoxide/CO2 Ring Opening Copolymerization Catalysis
Rosie Thorogood: Linear Free Energy Relationships for Accelerated Ring-opening Polymerisation Catalyst Design

Rosie presented the most recent work from her PhD, which investigates catalysts for the ring-opening polymerisation of cyclic carbonates and lactones to produce sustainable polymer products. She says of the conference:

I really enjoyed the three days I spent in Loughborough. It was very interesting to hear from researchers, both from academic institutions and from industry, and I was able to see how the academic research can be translated into real world technologies and applications. The UK Catalysis community is at the forefront of advancements for a more sustainable future, and aside from my own work aiming to aid development of a more sustainable plastics economy, I heard from researchers about a diverse arrange of catalytic processes that all have a role to play in future green technologies, from upcycling of nitrile butadiene rubbers to synthesis of bio-inspired bimetallic complexes for sustainable catalysis.

Poster presentation session at the UKCC 2026 in Loughborough

Prof Ifan Stephens presented with Sir John Meurig Thomas Medal

Prof Ifan Stephens is presented with the Sir John Meurig Thomas Medal

The 2026 Sir John Meurig Thomas Medal, which recognises outstanding achievement in catalytic science and honours the legacy of Sir John Meurig Thomas, a pioneering chemist whose work shaped modern understanding of heterogeneous catalysis, was awarded to Prof Ifan Stephens from the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. His research focuses on electrocatalytic approaches to sustainable fuels and chemicals, tackling some of the most pressing challenges in sustainable chemistry. His work addresses nitrogen reduction to ammonia, green hydrogen production, CO2 reduction, and biomass.

Conference photos courtesy of the UK Catalysis Hub