Event Details

A plastics waste and microplastic research conference being co-ordinated by the MSI, MSF, LEC, Pentland, Sunway and CEH.

Plastic waste and microplastics are potentially the biggest global environmental challenge after climate change. (And the two are not unlinked, with plastics in soil displacing carbon.) Beyond plastic waste, microplastics have infiltrated all parts of the food chain and are now being found in (nearly) all human organs. Their potential to act as vectors for disease transmission and the development of antimicrobial resistance is only now being recognised.

This workshop will bring together all the multi-facetted threads of plastic waste and micro-plastic research conducted at Lancaster University in one workshop. International speakers will highlight global challenges and internal speakers will highlight the quality and quantity of research conducted at Lancaster. The workshop provides a platform for Lancaster researchers to connect with each other and to build further plastics activities.

Finally, the event provides a forum for our PhDs and early career researchers to present their research, providing for some their first experience of the intellectual life, following two years of lockdown.

Tuesday 12th July

A presentation from keynote speaker Professor Meththika Vithanage followed by a ‘Question Time’ style Q&A about the future of plastics with a panel of experts. This session will be facilitated by materials scientist and story teller, Dr. Anna Ploszajski.

Wednesday 13th July

A presentation from keynote speaker Professor Gay Hawkins. After this, the students will be invited to give group presentations about their research. The presentations will be separated by questions and discussion. This session will be facilitated by Dr. Neil McLatchie. In the evening, the attendees will participate in a litter pick on Morecambe Bay followed by a dinner at the Midland Hotel.

Thursday 14th July

A session focussed on creating a plastics community at LU and a discussion leading to a list of actions for the community. This session will also be facilitated by Dr. Neil McLatchie.

To register please email Rachel Lyon (msi@lancaster.ac.uk / r.lyon@lancaster.ac.uk). If your registration is successful, you will be required to attend the event on all 3 days.