SCHEMA hosts 'twice as big' Autumn Conference in Oxford

The SCHEMA Hub Autumn Conference 2025 brought together over 100 researchers, industry leaders, and early career scientists for two days of discussion and collaboration at the University of Oxford - about double the number of delegates than our Spring conference. Held on 15–16 September, the event highlighted the Hub’s commitment to advancing sustainable chemistry through interdisciplinary research, leadership development, and inclusive practice.

The conference welcomed delegates from across the UK and beyond, blending scientific talks, industry engagement, and career development in a programme designed to inform, inspire, and connect.

Conference group photo

Prof Karen L Wooley

Conference attendees

Day 1: Scientific Frontiers and Emerging Voices

The conference opened with a welcome from Prof Charlotte Williams, setting the tone for a programme that spanned molecular innovation to machine learning. Prof Karen Wooley (Texas A&M University) delivered the keynote, presenting her talk: "Sugar Plastics as Part of a Larger Chemical Transition Initiative Throughout the State of Texas of the US". SCHEMA Hub researchers then took centre stage with a series of research talks:

Dr Alexander O’Malley (Bath) – Model lignin derivative behaviour in microporous catalysts
Dr Matilde Concilio (Oxford) – Machine Learning for polymer prediction
Dr Hannah Leese (Bath) – Towards Green Electrospinning: from Repurposing Lab Waste to Biobased Polymers
Dr Liam Bailey (Cardiff) – Investigating the addition of gold on selectivity and performance for PdCu/ZnO CO2 to methanol catalysts

Dr Amy Johnston (Royal Society of Chemistry) offered a reflection on greener research practices, leading into lightning poster presentations and an evening poster session with refreshments in the Atrium. There were 29 posters from both academia and industry at this year's conference - Dr Ella Clark and Dr Jon Husband won the two poster prizes.

University of Bath poster submission

University of Oxford poster submission

University of York poster submission

Day 2: Technology, Leadership and Inclusion

Day two began with a keynote from Dr Subhasish Mukerjee (Ceres Power), who outlined Ceres’ innovations in clean power and green hydrogen. SCHEMA researchers then again took centre stage with research talks:

Dr Donald Inns (Liverpool) – Utilising advanced materials in catalyst design for sustainable transformations
Madeleine Smith (Oxford) – Techno Economic Analysis and Life Cycle Assessment for the chemical recycling to monomer of PCHC and PLA
Dr Peihao Song (Oxford) – Sustainable Polymers for Next-generation Impact Protective Applications

Subhasish Mukerjee and Matthew Keenan

MPLS EDI representative

Sandra Ainsua Martinez, OUI

Developing Sustainable Leaders sessions

After lunch, the conference shifted focus to professional development. The “Developing Sustainable Leaders” session welcomed all attendees, with tailored content for early career researchers:

Intellectual property training facilitated by Oxford University Innovation (OUI).
An interactive EDI workshop led by MPLS, encouraging reflection on equality, diversity, and inclusion in research environments.

Entrepreneurship panel

SCHEMA postdocs with Dr Greg Sulley and Dr Steph Montanaro

Prof Matthew Davidson and Prof Charlotte Williams

The final panel on entrepreneurship, chaired by Dr Norman Keane, featured insights from Dr Sarah Cleary (HydRegen), Dr Giovanna Laudisio (Naturbeads), Dr Simson Wu (OXGRIN), and Dr Gustaf Hemberg (Scindo), offering perspectives on translating research into impact.

Closing remarks

Prof Matthew Davidson closed the conference, reflecting on the Hub’s progress and future direction. Across both days, the event underscored SCHEMA’s mission to foster sustainable innovation through collaboration, leadership, and inclusive practice.

Shaun Carter, Buchi UK

Tom Naughton, Agilent Technologies

RSC Sustainability & Green Chemistry

A big thank you to our sponsors of the event Buchi UK, Agilent Technologies, RSC Sustainability, and RSC Green Chemistry.

Future SCHEMA events can be viewed here