8 April 2026

Rideal Lecture and Symposium: Polymer Colloids: From Engineering to Biology

Organised by:

SCI's Colloid & Surface Chemistry Group and RSC's Colloid & Interface Science Group

SCI, London, UK

Synopsis

The Sir Eric Rideal Lecture honours an individual who has made a sustained and distinguished contribution to colloid and interface science in the UK. A one-day scientific meeting is organised around the winner. The 2026 awardee is Professor Joe Keddie from the University of Surrey.

This one-day symposium will feature invited lectures to describe a range of exciting developments at the forefront of polymer colloids. Topics will include the engineering of colloidal particles and the design of microstructures in coatings and adhesives, extending through to studies of the interfaces between polymer colloids and living things. The speakers will be drawn from both industry and academia across Europe. The symposium will conclude with Professor Keddie’s Rideal award lecture.

Attendees

This meeting will bring together a cross-disciplinary mix of scientists (including biologists), chemical engineers, and biotechnologists with a shared interest in the synthesis, properties and applications of polymer colloids. An important aim of the meeting is to provide early-career researchers an opportunity to present their research to the polymer colloids community. There will be flash poster presentations to allow these researchers to introduce their work followed by a poster session.

Programme

Wednesday 8 April

10.00: Registration and refreshments
10.30: Welcome and introduction

Engineering polymer colloids

10.35: Prof Stefan Bon, University of Warwick, UK
11.05: Prof José M. Asua, POLYMAT, University of the Basque Country, Spain
11.45: Dr Catarina Esteves, Dr Catarina Esteves, Eindhoven University of Technology, The Netherlands
12.15: Flash poster presentations
12.30: Lunch

Polymer colloids at the interface with biological systems

13.45: Dr Nacho Martín-Fabiani, Loughborough University, UK
14.15: Biocoatings
14.45: Refreshment break and posters

Polymer colloids in industrial products

15.15: Dr Izabela Jurewicz, , AMD, UK
15.45: Dr Scott Winston, Pulpex, UK
16.15: Networking reception and posters
17.00: Award of poster prizes
17.05: Rideal award lecture 2026
Prof Joe Keddie, University of Surrey
17.50: Closing remarks
17.55: Conference close

Call for posters

Poster abstracts of maximum one A4 page or 300 words, including the title and authors, should be sent to conferences@soci.org by Friday 27 February 2026 with the subject line “Rideal Symposium - poster abstract submission”. If the presenter was a student or a post-doctoral researcher when the research was conducted, they can be considered for a flash presentation. Please state your interest in a flash presentation on the Abstract_Template when submitting the abstract.

Accessibility Grants

SCI accessibility grants are available to support SCI members with disabilities, long term health conditions, those who require a carer, and members who are nursing parents to attend SCI events. Download an application form to apply for a grant.

Venue and Contact

SCI

14/15 Belgrave Square
London
SW1X 8PS

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

The fees will be announced in due course.

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Booking Process/Deadlines

Booking terms and conditions

CPD Info

All delegates attending this meeting are able to claim CPD points.

Partners

Organising committee

Dr Nacho Martín-Fabiani, Loughborough University, UK