EuChemS day one: European Chemical Society congress opens in Liverpool
The 7th EuChemS Chemistry Congress has opened, in Liverpool, a city with a history, present and future rich in chemistry.
Following two days of the EuChemS general assembly, which saw executive board meetings holding discussions and debates, delegates arrived at Liverpool's Arena Conference Centre (ACC), to a congress under the theme of "Molecular frontiers and global challenges".
Our chief executive, Robert Parker, and president, Professor Dame Carol Robinson, opened proceedings in the ACC plenary theatre, welcoming attendees. They were followed by Councillor Peter Brennan, Deputy Lord Mayor of Liverpool, who expressed a hugely warm welcome to his city, telling the audience his favourite subject at school was chemistry. He said: "I had a chemistry teacher who made the subject interesting – he made it fun!"
Supporting early career chemists
Professor Robinson explained that speaking at the congress is her first major Royal Society of Chemistry task as president. She said: "I think it's hugely important. When I was a younger scientist I met many of my current collaborators at conferences like this, so I'm really keen that that continues.
"One of the things I was most impressed with was that the young chemists have got together into a network and they're going to have parallel sessions throughout the whole week, so this is really an amazing thing. I don't think I was quite as energetic as they are when I was a young chemist so I'm delighted they're going to be doing something like this. I'm really supporting that."
EuChemS chemistry gold medal
Professor Ben Feringa, Nobel laureate and one of the plenary speakers on the opening day, also received the inaugural EuCheMS chemistry gold medal, recognising his outstanding contribution to the field.
He said: "This is absolutely fantastic – this gold medal from EuChemS is the first of its kind. It reflects the European Chemical Society as a total. I grew up as member of this European EuChemS chemical community – this is my world and I think we should keep that together and strengthen that – I am extremely proud because this is a reflection of the strength of our society.
"It means a lot to me that I get this award and that I can talk here about our research for this great audience of senior people, my friends in the chemical community, but in particular for the young people, the next generation, to encourage the students to – as I mentioned in my lecture – follow your passion and look to the future – and follow your own dreams."
Throughout the congress we're publishing videos of interviews and highlights from the many activities, sessions and discussions that span the breadth of the chemical sciences.
Follow our YouTube channel for full interviews from plenary speakers, as well as round-ups of all the action, every day.
