Data-driven discovery in the chemical sciences Faraday Discussion

10 - 12 September 2024, Oxford, United Kingdom


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We are aware that some speakers and delegates have been approached by companies claiming to operate on behalf of the Royal Society of Chemistry to book their travel and accommodation for our conferences. Please note that whilst we do sometimes work with accommodation providers in order to facilitate hotel bookings, they would never approach you in the first instance. Details of accommodation providers that we are working with are in the ‘accommodation’ section of this webpage. If you are unsure about an e-mail / phone call you receive, please contact us and do not provide any credit card details or personal information.
Introduction

Welcome

Join us in Oxford in September 2024 for this addition to our Faraday Discussion series. With over a century of history and more than 300 meetings, Faraday Discussions have been at the forefront of the physical sciences and many Discussions have become landmark meetings in their field.
 
This Discussion will focus on the increasingly central role of big data, machine learning, and artificial intelligence in the chemical sciences. We aim to critically discuss these topics, and to explore the question how data can enable new discoveries in chemistry, now and in the future. 
 
We are particularly aiming to bring together different communities within chemistry – materials and molecular, in both academic and industrial research. The meeting sessions will combine different viewpoints and strive to foster new connections, ideas, and research directions.
 
On behalf of our committee, we very much look forward to welcoming you to Oxford.
 
Volker Deringer and Fernanda Duarte
Committee Co-Chairs

Why attend?

Find out more about Faraday Discussions in the video and FAQ – see useful links above.
 
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 above – 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.
 
Discover Oxford
The Discussion will take place at Trinity College, University of Oxford, in the centre of Oxford and its historic attractions. Step out to explore this University city while you’re here – or stay a few extra days to explore the city and the surrounding area.

Themes

The Discussion will involve four central themes – each focused on different aspects of chemical "discovery", and each aiming to promote the exchange of ideas between the molecular and materials communities:
 
Discovering chemical structure
Data-driven modelling of chemical structure, including the development of accurate interatomic potentials, data-driven structure prediction, generative models for molecules, and related themes.
 
Discovering structure–property correlations
The role of data-driven techniques in establishing structure–property correlations. This session will focus on the “learning” of relevant properties and the development of predictive and explainable AI approaches for chemistry.
 
Discovering trends in big data
Progress and challenges in molecular and materials representations, data generation, handling, and sharing. This session will also consider how open data (e.g., findable, accessible, interoperable, and re-usable, FAIR) principles can be efficiently and practically implemented in the chemical sciences
 
Discovering synthesis targets
Data-driven approaches to translate computational predictions into the identification and realisation of new synthesis targets. Understanding the potential and limitations of AI to optimise reactions, predict reaction scope, and potential synthesisability.
 
Speakers
Abstract Submission

Abstract submission is now open!

Oral Abstracts

A full research paper containing new unpublished results always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions.
Papers must be submitted by 7 May 2024 and be full research papers with a significant amount of new, unpublished work. 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 Discussion Volume.

Poster Abstracts 

Submit your poster abstract by 1 July 2024. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening. The Faraday Division Poster Prize will be awarded to the best poster presented by a student at the conference.

Additional Information 

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
 
Registration
Bursaries

Grants for Carers

Grants for carers have been introduced following the Royal Society of Chemistry Breaking the barriers report where 78% of chemists working in UK academia felt that managing parenting and/or caring responsibilities has an impact on women’s retention and progression. This fund is not limited to women scientists and welcomes applications from anyone with caring responsibilities. These grants have been supported by The Royal Society of Chemistry’s Chemists’ Community Fund.

You can apply for up to a maximum of £1000/year to assist with additional financial costs that you incur for care usually provided by you whilst you attend a chemistry related meeting, conference or workshop or a professional development event.

Caring responsibilities are wide and varied, and so each application will be individually assessed, examples of applications that we will consider include:
  • paying for extra home help or nursing care for a dependent whilst you will not be present
  • additional medical/respite care for a dependent whilst you will not be present
  • travel expenses for a relative to travel with you to care for dependents whilst you attend a meeting or event
  • paying for extended hours with a care worker/childminder/play scheme to cover time when you will arrive home later than normal.
You are eligible to apply if:
  • you are a chemist
  • you will incur additional caring expenses whilst attending a chemistry-related meeting, conference, event or workshop or a professional development event
  • you will use these funds to cover the cost of care that you usually provide
  • you are based in the UK or Ireland or if not, you will normally have held three years RSC membership (past or current).
Sponsorship & supporting organisations
A selection of sponsorship opportunities is available for companies who would like to promote their activities at the 2024 Faraday Discussion series.
 
There are opportunities available to become the Faraday Discussion series sponsor,  Research & Development partner or poster prize series sponsor as well as some individual meeting options. A sponsorship menu document will be available to download from this page with more details and prices.
 
If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2024 Faraday Discussion series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the Royal Society of Chemistry on advertising@rsc.org
Venue
Trinity College

Trinity College, Broad Street, Oxford, OX1 3BH , United Kingdom

Committee
  • Volker Deringer (co-chair) University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Fernanda Duarte (co-chair) University of Oxford, United Kingdom
  • Graeme Day University of Southampton, United Kingdom
  • Janine George BAM Berlin / University of Jena, Germany
  • Nadine Schneider Novartis Institutes, Switzerland
  • Philippe Schwaller EPFL, Switzerland

Contact information
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