Plastics Research Forum at the University of Edinburgh

A growing number of academics across the University of Edinburgh's three colleges are researching plastics, addressing a wide range of questions, methods, and aims. This includes social, political, and historical studies of plastics; chemistry and medical research on microplastics; and engineering, synthetic biology, and design approaches to plastics and sustainability.

The Plastics Research Forum will bring together researchers from across the University to showcase their work, explore connections, and identify opportunities for collaboration within this emerging research community. The forum is organised by After the Single Use, the School of Chemistry and the Edinburgh Earth Initiative.

The event will feature a series of short presentations from researchers working on plastics across a range of disciplines, alongside opportunities for networking and discussion. Participants will also be invited to contribute to conversations about the future of plastics research at the University of Edinburgh and the potential for a cross-college network of plastics scholars.

Organisers hope this will be the first in a series of events creating opportunities for future collaborations, interdisciplinary funding applications, and new connections across the institution.