A two-day conference aimed at PhD students from any discipline who are undertaking research into plastics and the global plastics crisis is now calling for abstracts. The event which will be held at the University of Portsmouth on the 3-4th September 2024 is open to all UK-based PhD students.
The conference will provide a vital platform for the next generation of plastics researchers to network, present their findings and share innovative ideas. This is the first plastics conference dedicated solely to PhD students.
Plastic pollution poses a significant threat to ecosystems, human health and the global environment, contributing to climate change and impacting communities worldwide. As nearly 200 countries engage in negotiations for a global pact on plastic pollution, the need for comprehensive research and actionable solutions has never been more urgent.
The plastics crisis demands immediate action, and we believe that the next generation of researchers holds the key to addressing this pressing issue. Our conference will serve as a forum for PhD students from diverse disciplines to come together, collaborate and advance our collective understanding of plastics and their impacts.
Professor Fay Couceiro, Professor of Environmental Pollution at the University of Portsmouth
Fay Couceiro, Professor of Environmental Pollution at the University of Portsmouth, said: "The plastics crisis demands immediate action, and we believe that the next generation of researchers holds the key to addressing this pressing issue. Our conference will serve as a forum for PhD students from diverse disciplines to come together, collaborate and advance our collective understanding of plastics and their impacts."
The conference welcomes PhD students conducting research across a wide range of topics related to plastics, including but not limited to microplastics, macroplastics, ecosystems, human and animal health, policy development, sustainable fashion, design, engineering, social, cultural and economic factors, consumer behaviour, waste management and novel packaging.
At the Revolution Plastics Institute we recognise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the plastics crisis. By fostering communication and collaboration across disciplines we aim to catalyse impactful research that contributes to real world solutions.
Dr Cressida Bowyer, Deputy Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth
Dr Cressida Bowyer, Deputy Director of the Revolution Plastics Institute at the University of Portsmouth, said: "At the Revolution Plastics Institute we recognise the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the plastics crisis. By fostering communication and collaboration across disciplines we aim to catalyse impactful research that contributes to real world solutions."
With the UN aiming to finalise the world's first legally binding agreement on plastic pollution by the end of 2024, the conference comes at a critical moment. The outcomes of this conference have the potential to help inform policy, drive innovation, and shape the future of plastic pollution research.
For PhD students interested in presenting their work at the conference or attending as delegate details can be found on the Revolution Plastics PhD Conference webpage.
This is an in-person conference located in Portsmouth, UK.
The £60 registration fee includes admission to all conference sessions and light
refreshments throughout the two-day event.
