Highest honour from Royal Society of Chemistry for Cardiff researcher

A Cardiff University Professor has been made an Honorary Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) for his extraordinary impact in the field of materials, computational and catalytic chemistry and for his work on science outreach.

Professor Sir Richard Catlow from the School of Chemistry joins four other candidates including Sir Patrick Vallance to receive the fellowship in 2024.

His 50-year research career has focused on developing and applying computational techniques in conjunction with experiments to understand and predict the properties of complex materials and catalysts.

His scholarship in energy materials, catalysis, nano-chemistry and surface chemistry established Professor Catlow as a leading figure in developing the field both in the UK and internationally.

His long-standing and wide-ranging contribution to the discipline was recognised in 2020 when he was Knighted in the Queen's Birthday Honours list.

Professor Sir Richard Catlow said: “I am delighted to receive this honour which recognises the key role of the fields in which I have worked throughout my career; and I am grateful to the many talented students and colleagues with whom I have worked over the years in these and related fields.

“And let me especially thank friends and colleagues in the Cardiff Catalysis Institute and the School of Chemistry with whom it is a pleasure to work.”

The 117 current RSC Honorary Fellows come from a wide range of backgrounds, career paths and countries and are nominated by RSC members.

They include individuals whose distinguished research careers have made an extraordinary impact on scientific advancement, leaders of companies, or other major enterprises that have been of significant benefit to the application of chemical science.

Some have also contributed to the benefit and welfare of the chemical sciences through public service, outreach, policy development, and change, and through connecting or leading the chemical science community to provide solutions for societal challenges.

Professor John Pickett, Interim Head of Cardiff University’s School of Chemistry, added: “In addition to university teachers and researchers seeking engagement beyond their own subjects that can eventually lead to civil honours and awards, and the recognition conferred by election to the senior Academies, there is the continual need to demonstrate rigorous standards in their own original subjects.

“For chemists in the UK this means by the RSC and it is wonderful to see this exceptional award of the RSC being bestowed on our colleague at Cardiff, Richard Catlow.”