Ten academics from around the country, including Loughborough Professor of Biomaterials and Interface Science, Paul Roach, have been awarded the RSC’s Inspirational Committee Award in recognition of the development of a programme of activity that empowers their community and fosters inclusion across career stage and sectors.
The Inspirational Committee Award is one of the RSC’s Volunteer Recognition Prizes, given in celebration of RSC members who support and inspire others within the community.
The RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Committee was praised for their dedication to fostering an engaged, inclusive and supportive community of academic, industrial and clinical professionals. Through flagship events such as the annual conference, held at the start of each year, and the free-to-attend Biomaterials Translation Workshop in June, the committee has consistently delivered well-attended, high-impact meetings that engage members in a vibrant community, encourage cross-pollination of ideas, and create career development opportunities.
The committee’s initiatives include tailored conference content and networking opportunities, alongside workshops that address key topics such as equity, diversity, and inclusion (EDI), academic–industrial collaboration, translational engagement, business development, and intellectual property management. These efforts reflect its commitment to equipping members with the tools and connections necessary for success in their chosen fields.
Its broader impact extends to enhancing career development opportunities for RSC members, promoting interdisciplinary collaboration within the chemical sciences community, and accelerating the translation of biomaterials research into real-world healthcare and societal applications.
On receiving the prize, team Chair Chris Sammon said, “I am truly delighted that this award recognises our efforts in building an inclusive and empowering programme that supports colleagues in academia and industry across all career stages. Volunteering with the RSC has been incredibly rewarding, offering opportunities to connect with people from other institutions, represent the RSC at international meetings and broaden perspectives. It is always a privilege to give back to the community that supports us, and we hope this recognition will encourage others to get involved and help shape the future of our field.”
Dr Helen Pain, CEO of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said,
“I extend my warmest congratulations to the Biomaterials Chemistry Group. Winning an RSC Prize is a remarkable achievement. You join the ranks of a star-studded roster stretching back over 150 years, including several dozen who went on to win Nobel Prizes. Our winners are exceptional role models for our communities, and we’re so pleased to be celebrating such an extraordinary cohort this year.”
The full suite of RSC Prizes comprises Volunteer Recognition Prizes, Research & Innovation Prizes, Education Prizes (announced in November), the Inclusion & Diversity Prize, and the Horizon Prizes – team prizes given to scientific collaborations innovating and conducting cutting edge research at the frontiers of chemistry.
Find out more about the Royal Society of Chemistry prizes on their website.
Information about the Chemistry department’s fundamental and impactful research and multiple undergraduate and postgraduate courses across Chemistry and Natural Sciences can be found in the Undergraduate and Postgraduate Prospectus.