Bridging the gap from surface science to heterogeneous catalysis Faraday Discussion
The Faraday Discussions are unique international discussion meetings that address current and emerging topics at the forefront of physical science.
Welcome
Join us in London in April 2026 for this edition of the Faraday Discussion series, unique international discussion meetings that address current and emerging topics at the forefront of the physical sciences.
The Discussion will bring together established and early-career scientists, postgraduate students and industrial researchers from the heterogenous catalysis and surface chemistry communities to design the new catalysts needed for society' s most pressing problems ranging from energy production, air quality and transportation to environmentally sustainable industry.
On behalf of the organising committee, I look forward to welcoming you to London.
Alec Wodtke (Chair)
Why attend?
Find out more about Faraday Discussions in the video and FAQs - see Useful links on the right.
A unique conference format that prioritises discussion
At a Faraday Discussion, the primary research papers written by the speakers are distributed to all participants before the meeting - ensuring that most of the meeting is devoted to discussing the latest research.
This provides a genuinely collaborative environment, where discussion and debate are at the foreground. All delegates, not just speakers, are invited to make comments, ask questions, or present complementary or contradictory measurements and calculations.
An exciting programme of talks - and more
Take part in a well-balanced mix of talks, discussion, poster sessions and informal networking, delivered by our expert events team. You can explore the full programme in the downloadable files on the right - whether you' re attending in-person or online, every minute provides an opportunity.
The conference dinner, included in the registration fee, contains the Marlow Cup ceremony: a unique commemoration of past Faraday Discussion organisers that is sure to encourage further discussions over dinner.
In-depth discussion with leaders in the field
World-leading and established researchers connect with each other and early-career scientists and postgraduate students to discuss the latest research and drive science forwards. It' s a unique atmosphere - and challenging others to get to the heart of the problem is encouraged!
Your contributions, published and citable
A citable record of the discussion is published in the Faraday Discussions journal, alongside the research papers. Questions, comments and remarks become a valuable part of the published scientific conversation, and every delegate can make a major contribution.
Themes
The Discussion will be organised into four themes:
New experimental methods for observing catalysts in action
This session will focus on the dynamic nature of catalytic surfaces. Monitoring structural and chemical changes non-invasively during reactions poses a significant challenge in catalysis research. The operando methodology discussed in this section integrates the characterization of a catalyst's structure and composition while it is operational with the analysis of its performance. This comprehensive approach allows for a deep understanding of the catalyst's morphology, structure, surface/bulk composition, and their intricate interactions with reacting molecules and conditions.
Impact of artificial intelligence on heterogeneous catalysis
To apply AI and especially large language models effectively in catalysis research, fundamental changes are needed in the way experimental and computational data are reported. Data will be a central part of the discussio
Useful links
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Faraday Discussion meetings FAQ?s
Find out more about these unique meetings
- Grants for carers
- Accessibility Grants
- Researcher Development and Travel Grants
Speakers
Jens Norskov (Introductory lecture)
DTU
Denmark
Simon K. Beaumont (Closing remarks lecture)
Durham University
United Kingdom
Simon Bare
SLAC
United States
Jingguang Chen
Columbia University
United States
David Flaherty
Georgia Technical University
United States
Lucas Foppa
Fritz Haber Institute of the Max Planck Society
Germany
Stig Helveg
Technical University of Denmark
Denmark
Barbara A. J. Lechner
Technical University of Munich
Germany
Swetlana Schauermann
Kiel University
Germany
Veronique Van Speybroeck
Ghent University
Belgium
Committees
Alec Wodtke (Co-chair)
University of Goettingen
Germany
Matthias Scheffler (Co-chair)
Max Planck Society
Germany
Zdenek Dohnalek
PNNL
United States
Justin Hargreaves
University of Glasgow
United Kingdom
Beatriz Roldan-Cuenya
Fritz-Haber-Institute
Germany
Berend Smit
EPFL
Switzerland
Judit Zdor
Sandia National Laboratories
United States
Event details
Oral abstracts
Submit an oral/paper abstract if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation and associated published paper on 21 July 2025. A full research paper containing new unpublished results always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions. The oral/paper abstract should outline current research in progress. Authors of the selected abstracts must then submit a full research paper with a significant amount of new, unpublished work by 1 December 2025.The research papers are reviewed upon submission and are sent to all delegates 4 weeks before the meeting so they can be read in advance. At the meeting the presenting author is allowed five minutes to highlight the main points of their paper, and the rest of the time is for discussion. The discussion is recorded and will be published alongside the research paper in the Faraday Discussions volume.
Poster abstracts
Submit your poster abstract by 08 February 2026. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening. A poster prize will be awarded to the best student poster presented at the conference.Additional information
All oral and poster abstracts will be reviewed by the committee. Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process within about 6 weeks of the submission deadline. The abstracts should be no longer than one A4 page in portrait layout. Please ensure you provide the details of the presenting author and indicate whether you are submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.- Attendance at all scientific sessions
- Attendance at the poster session
- Refreshments throughout the meeting and lunch on all three days
- Attendance at the poster drinks reception on 20 April
- Attendance at the conference dinner on 21 April
- Access to all journal paper PDF "pre-prints" before the meeting
- For full paying delegates, a copy of the Faraday Discussions journal volume, issued approximately 5 months after the meeting, containing all papers presented at the meeting and accompanying discussion comments. Student delegates may purchase a copy of the volume at less than half price, during the registration process or on site at the meeting.
| Early bird | Standard | |
|---|---|---|
| 欧美AV member | 拢445+痴础罢 | 拢505+痴础罢 |
| Non-member | 拢545+痴础罢 | 拢620+痴础罢 |
| Student 欧美AV member | 拢225+痴础罢 | 拢275+痴础罢 |
| Student non-member | 拢275+痴础罢 | 拢325+痴础罢 |
| Accompanying person | 拢125+痴础罢 | 拢125+痴础罢 |
All prices quoted do not include VAT, which is added during registration at the prevailing rate in the UK.
Delegates may purchase a copy of the volume at less than half price, during the registration process or on site at the meeting.
欧美AV members and student 欧美AV members
If you are a 欧美AV member and wish to register for this meeting, please select the member option on the online registration page. You will need to enter your membership number.Student delegates
In order to encourage undergraduate or postgraduate students to attend the Discussion, a reduced conference fee is available for students. This fee applies to those undertaking a full-time course for a recognised degree or a diploma at a university or equivalent institution.A copy of the Faraday Discussions journal volume containing papers presented at the Discussion (issued approximately 5 months after the meeting) is not included in the student registration fee. Students may purchase a copy of the volume at less than half price, during the registration process or on site at the meeting.
Accompanying person
If you would like to bring a guest to the conference, this can be done during the registration process. There will be an additional charge, which will include all lunches, refreshments and the conference dinner. The fee does not include attendance at any scientific sessions, journal paper pre-prints or the journal volume.Accessibility
The 欧美AV is keen to encourage and enable as many people as possible to attend our events, to benefit from the networking opportunities and the chance to hear talks from leaders in the field. If you would like to discuss accessibility, or have childcare, caring responsibilities or other care needs, please contact us to discuss your requirements so that we can enable your attendance. Please refer also to our Grants for Carers fund for more information please see the &lsquo Bursaries' section on this page.Grants for Carers
With our Grants for carers, you can apply for up to 拢1,200 per year to help you attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference or workshop or a professional development event. This money would be used to cover any additional costs you incur, paying for care that you usually provide. Please visit the website for further information and eligibility criteria.Accessibility Grants
With our Accessibility grants, you can apply for up to 拢1,200 per year to help with the cost of specific support to attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference, workshop or professional development event. This support might be any form of equipment, service, or other personal expense associated with meeting your access needs.Researcher Development and Travel Grants
If you are an 欧美AV member and you are one of the following:- a PhD student actively undertaking a PhD course in the chemical sciences
- a researcher in the chemical sciences (including post docs, research technicians and research assistants)
- working in academia, industry or any sector
- within 10 years of leaving full time education (at the time of the application deadline).
Please see the website for up-to-date information on eligibility, how to apply and submission deadlines.
Researcher Development and Travel Grants can be applied for in addition to Grants for Carers and Accessibility Grants.
If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2026 Faraday Discussion series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the 欧美AV on [email protected]
The 欧美AV
欧美AV, The 欧美AV, Burlington House, Piccadilly, London, W1J 0BA, United Kingdom
Events Team
欧美AV
Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF UK