10 October 2025

Discovery hub: Introducing industry to UK National research centres

Organised by:

SCI’s materials early career committee and HarwellXPS

Didcot, UK

Prices start from £50.00

Synopsis

National research centres contain incredible resources, both in terms of facilities and expertise, to unlock difficult answers in scientific research that may be halting your business progress. These facilities are open for industrial researchers as much as any other, but often the awareness of the available capabilities is a hindering factor in connecting these centres with the UK’s thriving commercial research sector. This event aims to bring together those centres with the scientists powering the UK economy, breaking down potential barriers to new commercial products and processes that will benefit the entire UK research sector. We also want to hear from researchers in industry how the national research sector can work better to suit the needs of commercial organisations.

Attendees

This event is aimed at researchers in industry looking to find UK technical resources to help with challenges in materials development, and analysis, in all scientific fields. The event will be attended by facility directors, EPSRC representatives, policymakers, and industry researchers.

Programme

Friday 10 October 2025

09.00: Registration and refreshments
10.00: Introduction to the event and SCI Mark Isaacs
10.10: Introduction to the Research complex at Harwell John Hand
10.30: Overview of the centres (ideally EPSRC speaker)
11.00: Case studies of NRF
11.30: RCAH tours
12.00: Posters and networking
13.00: Lunch and networking
13.30: Small group diamond tours
14.00: Industry and academia in Partnership
14.30: Q&A and your suggestions for better integration with industry
15.00: Panel discussion - research problems and solutions
16.00: Refreshments and networking
17.00: Close of event

Sponsorship information

Please see the sponsorship pack and email conferences@soci.org to let us know which package you are interested in.

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

Research Complex at Harwell

Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL)
Harwell Science and Innovation Campus
Didcot
OX11 0FA

Conference Team

Tel: +44 (0)20 7598 1561

Email: conferences@soci.org

Fees

SCI members £50
Non-members £60

All registrations will automatically receive a confirmation within 24 hours of registering for the event. Should you not receive written confirmation of your booking, please email conferences@soci.org.

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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

HarwellXPS (The UK National Facility for XPS)
UK Research and Innovation
Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council
Research Complex at Harwell
RSC Applied Materials Group
Diamond Light Source
ISIS Neutron and Muon Facility

Organising committee

Mark Isaacs, University College London / HarwellXPS
James Wickson, Croda
Kay Yeung, EPSRC