Professor Graham Hutchings receives inaugural molecular catalysis award

Our Regius Professor has been awarded the Molecular Catalysis Lectureship Award in celebration of his outstanding contribution to the field of catalysis.

The Molecular Catalysis Lectureship Award, dedicated to honouring outstanding researchers for their broad spectrum of accomplishments in catalysis, has been awarded to Professor Graham Hutchings CBE, FRS, FRAEng.

Professor Hutchings said: “it is a great honour to receive this award and recognition of the catalysis work we have been carrying out at Cardiff University”.

Professor Hutchings’ career encompasses groundbreaking work in gold catalysis and selective oxidation catalysis.

His most notable achievement includes the pioneering discovery of Au-based catalysts for the hydrochlorination of acetylene, a significant advancement that replaced toxic mercury catalysts in the vast PVC industry.

Professor Hutchings founded the world-renowned Cardiff Catalysis Institute (CCI), and has been instrumental in advancing the field of catalysis. His leadership roles include directorships at the CCI, Max-Planck-Cardiff- Center Funcat and the UK Catalysis Hub, and presidency at the Faraday Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

Throughout his academic career, Professor Hutchings has supervised over 200 PhD students and more than 100 postdoctoral researchers.

The Molecular Catalysis Awards were founded in 2023 by the prestigious journal to honour both established leaders and emerging talents in this critical scientific domain.