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Vibrations at interfaces Faraday Discussion

8 - 10 April 2026, York, United Kingdom


Introduction

Welcome

Join us in York in April 2026 for this edition of the Faraday Discussion series. The Faraday Discussions are unique international discussion meetings that address current and emerging topics at the forefront of the physical sciences.

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.
Speakers
Ellen Backus (Introductory Lecture), University of Vienna, Austria

Ellen Backus is professor for physical chemistry at the University of Vienna since 2018. Her research focuses on the molecular structure and (ultrafast) dynamics of various solid-liquid and liquid-air interfaces by using surface-specific vibrational spectroscopy. The current research themes of her group are centered around understanding the fundamentals of catalytic processes, atmospheric systems, and wetting. She obtained her PhD in 2005 at the Leiden University. After postdoctoral research at the University of Zurich and at AMOLF in Amsterdam, she started in 2012 as a groupleader at the Max Planck Institute for polymer research in Mainz.


Bert Weckhuysen (Closing Lecture), Utrecht University, Netherlands

Bert Weckhuysen, a Distinguished University Professor at Utrecht University (The Netherlands), received his Master and PhD degrees from Leuven University (Belgium) in 1991 and 1995. He has worked as a postdoctoral fellow at Lehigh University (USA) and Texas A&M University (USA). He has (co-) authored more than 750 scientific journal publications and has received many scientific awards, including the Royal Dutch Chemical Society Gold Medal, the Netherlands Catalysis and Chemistry Award, the Paul H. Emmett Award in Fundamental Catalysis, the International Catalysis Award, the Bourke Award from the Royal Society of Chemistry, the Spinoza Award from the Netherlands Organization for Scientific Research, the Kozo Tanabe Prize for Acid-Base Catalysis, and the Chemistry Europe Award. He is a Knight in the Order of the Netherlands Lion, and an elected member of a.o., the Royal Dutch Academy of Sciences (KNAW), the Royal Flemish Academy of Belgium for Sciences and Arts (KVAB), and the European Academy of Sciences. The Weckhuysen group aims to build a powerful “camera” to record what actually happens in a working catalytic solid under relevant reaction conditions. The aim of this work is to bring the necessary science and technology to a level that enables imaging catalytic processes at macro, meso and micro scales, from the reactor down to interactions between atoms and molecules. This approach allows to unravel the activation and deactivation mechanisms of various catalytic processes, of relevance to make the fuels and chemicals from renewable resources, including CO2, biomass and plastic waste. 


Angel Cuesta, University of Aberdeen, United Kingdom

Prof Angel Cuesta graduated in Chemistry from the University of Zaragoza in 1992, and obtained his PhD in Chemistry from the Autonomous University of Madrid in 1996. He was then a postdoctoral fellow in the group of Prof D.M. Kolb at the University of Ulm between January 1998 and September 2000. In July 2001 he was appointed Provisional Staff Scientist at the Institute of Physical Chemistry “Rocasolano” (CSIC) in Madrid, where he promoted to Staff Scientist in December 2002 and to Senior Scientist in March 2010. He moved to the University of Aberdeen in July 2013, where he was promoted to a Personal Chair in August 2018.


  • Elad Gross Hebrew University of Jerusalem, Israel
  • Zsuzsanna Heiner Humboldt Universität zu Berlin, Germany
  • David Lennon University of Glasgow, United Kingdom
  • Simone Pezzotti Ecole Normale Supérieure de Paris, France
  • Emilie Ringe University of Cambridge, United Kingdom
  • Mariana Rossi Max Planck Institute for the Structure & Dynamics of Matter, Germany
  • Martin Zinni University of Wisconsin - Madison, United States

Bursaries

Grants for Carers

With our Grants for carers, you can apply for up to £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 £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 RSC 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).
You can apply for up to £500 to support your participation in this event. Please note it is not necessary to have confirmation of abstract acceptance before applying for a Researcher Development and Travel Grants and we encourage you to apply as early as possible.

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.
Sponsorship & supporting organisations
A selection of sponsorship opportunities is available for companies who would like to promote their activities at the 2026 Faraday Discussion series. 
 
If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2026 Faraday Discussion series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the Royal Society of Chemistry on advertising@rsc.org
Venue
National STEM Learning Centre

National STEM Learning Centre, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, United Kingdom

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