Indoor-outdoor continuum of aerosols Faraday Discussion
The Faraday Discussions are unique international discussion meetings
Join us in Birmingham in June 2027 for this edition of the Faraday Discussion series focused on Indoor-outdoor continuum of aerosols. The Faraday Discussions are unique international discussion meetings that address current and emerging topics at the forefront of the physical sciences.
This Discussion on the topic of the aerosol indoor-outdoor continuum, aims to address physico-chemical understanding of the indoor-outdoor continuum of aerosols in four thematic sessions focussing on the following topics: biomass burning aerosols; urban aerosols and local effects; large-scale aerosol effects and bio-aerosols.
We encourage the involvement of scientists from across the chemical sciences to explore how their expertise can advance the understanding of the continuous transport and chemical transformation of airborne particles within and between outdoor and indoor environments. This includes the movement of particulate matter as well as the generation of new particles.
This Faraday Discussion presents a unique platform to share the latest advances in the understanding of chemical formation routes, composition and toxicity of indoor aerosols and of their relations with particles outdoors, which is vital for assessing overall air pollution exposure and potential health impacts given the large majority of time we spend indoors.
It is an unmissable chance to share new ideas, reconnect with colleagues and spark collaborations in a cross-disciplinary approach with foundations in the physical sciences, and with chemistry playing a crucial role in the transformation of aerosols during their life cycle.
A combination of laboratory studies, modelling work and field observation is essential to tackle this challenging problem which has received too little attention in the past and Artificial intelligence (AI) and machine learning are cross-cutting themes with strong potential to contribute knowledge to all four sessions.
On behalf of the organising committee, we look forward to welcoming you to Birmingham.
Christian Pfrang (Chair)
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Speakers
Jose Jimenez (Introductory lecturer)
University of Colorado
United States
Jos Lelieveld (Closing remarks)
Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Germany
Jacqui Hamilton
University of York
UK
Jacqui Hamilton
University of York
UK
Rachel O'Brien
University of Michigan
United States
Rachel O'Brien
University of Michigan
United States
Nonne Prisle
University of Hamburg
Germany
Nonne Prisle
University of Hamburg
Germany
Hugh Coe
University of Manchester
UK
Hugh Coe
University of Manchester
UK
Manabu Shiraiwa
University of California Irvine (UCI)
United States
Manabu Shiraiwa
University of California Irvine (UCI)
United States
Tareq Hussein
University of Helsinki
Finland
Tareq Hussein
University of Helsinki
Finland
Tina Santl-Temkiv
Aarhus University
Denmark
Tina Santl-Temkiv
Aarhus University
Denmark
Cristiana Costa Pereira
Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS)
Luxembourg
Cristiana Costa Pereira
Laboratoire National de Santé (LNS)
Luxembourg
Committees
Christian Pfrang (Co-chair)
University of Birmingham
UK
Christian Pfrang (Co-chair)
University of Birmingham
UK
Nadine Borduas-Dedekind (Deputy chair)
University of British Columbia
Canada
Nadine Borduas-Dedekind (Deputy chair)
University of British Columbia
Canada
Nicola Carslaw
University of York
UK
Nicola Carslaw
University of York
UK
Yafang Cheng
Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Germany
Yafang Cheng
Max Planck Institute for Chemistry
Germany
Chiara Giorio
University of Cambridge
UK
Chiara Giorio
University of Cambridge
UK
Zaheer Nasar
Cranfield University
UK
Zaheer Nasar
Cranfield University
UK
Event details
Oral abstracts
Submit an oral/paper abstract if you wish to be considered for an oral presentation and associated published paper by 12 October 2026. A full research paper containing new unpublished results always accompanies oral presentations at Faraday Discussions. The oral/paper abstract should outline current research in progress. Authors of the selected abstracts must then submit a full research paper with a significant amount of new, unpublished work by 8 February 2027.
The research papers are reviewed upon submission and are sent to all delegates 4 weeks before the meeting so they can be read in advance. At the meeting the presenting author is allowed five minutes to highlight the main points of their paper, and the rest of the time is for discussion. The discussion is recorded and will be published alongside the research paper in the Faraday Discussions volume.
Poster abstracts
Submit your poster abstract by 19 April 2027. Posters are displayed throughout the meeting and a poster session is held on the first evening. A poster prize will be awarded to the best student poster presented at the conference.
Additional information
All oral and poster abstracts will be reviewed by the committee. Authors will be notified of the outcome of the review process within about 6 weeks of the submission deadline. The abstracts should be no longer than one A4 page in portrait layout. Please ensure you provide the details of the presenting author and indicate whether you are submitting an abstract for oral or poster presentation.
Deadlines
Grants for Carers
With our Grants for carers, you can apply for up to £1,200 per year to help you attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference or workshop or a professional development event. This money would be used to cover any additional costs you incur, paying for care that you usually provide. Please visit the website for further information and eligibility criteria.
Accessibility Grants
With our Accessibility grants, you can apply for up to £1,200 per year to help with the cost of specific support to attend a chemistry-related meeting, conference, workshop or professional development event. This support might be any form of equipment, service, or other personal expense associated with meeting your access needs.
Researcher Development and Travel Grant
If you are an RSC member and you are one of the following:
- a PhD student actively undertaking a PhD course in the chemical sciences;
- a researcher in the chemical sciences (including post docs, research technicians and research assistants);
- working in academia, industry or any sector;
- within 10 years of leaving full time education (at the time of the application deadline).
You can apply for up to £500 to support your participation in this event. Please note it is not necessary to have confirmation of abstract acceptance before applying for a Researcher Development and Travel Grants and we encourage you to apply as early as possible.
Please see the website for up-to-date information on eligibility, how to apply and submission deadlines.
Researcher Development and Travel Grants can be applied for in addition to Grants for Carers and Accessibility Grants.
A selection of sponsorship opportunities is available for companies who would like to promote their activities at the 2027 Faraday Discussions series.
If you would like more information about sponsoring the 2027 Faraday Discussions series, please contact the Commercial Sales Department at the Royal Society of Chemistry on [email protected]
Scientific programme
A PDF of the programme can be downloaded from the Downloads section on this page.
Themes
The aerosol indoor-outdoor continuum refers to the continuous transport and chemical transformation of airborne particles within and between outdoor and indoor environments. While there is clear evidence that aerosols impact on health, we do not know enough about indoor aerosols and their physico-chemical behaviours to judge the risks of exposure to them compared to outdoor aerosols. This Faraday Discussion will seek to improve our knowledge and understanding of these mechanisms and behaviours, with a view to developing adequate long-term strategies, a broader view of the aerosol indoor-outdoor continuum and a holistic consideration of future challenges and opportunities.
The Discussion will revolve around the following four interrelated themes.
Biomass burning aerosols
This session will seek to maximise scientific insights from modelling and measuring the effects of biomass burning on hugely different scales and with varying levels of accuracy. Discussions points will include:
- Synergistic opportunities between reference-level instrumentation in laboratory and field, and latest low-cost sensor developments
- Key instrument and modelling developments needed
- Key knowledge gaps based on building stock, measurement locations and future infrastructure/facility developments
Urban aerosols and local effects
This session will seek to bridge the gap between laboratory conditions and real-world urban environments. Discussions points will include:
- What are the key processes that need to be represented in laboratory conditions and how can the insights gained be harvested for real-world applications?
- What is the role of AI/machine learning for establishing key science insights from laboratory studies & conditions?
- How important are chemical aerosol processes in urban indoor environments compared to aerosol transport?
Large-scale aerosol effects
This session will discuss the range of approaches required to model large-scale aerosol effects, from urban to regional and global environments. Discussions points will include:
- Synergistic opportunities between sophisticated, computationally expensive and simplistic modelling approaches that can be widely applied, but have limited use cases
- Key model developments needed
- Key knowledge gaps based currently available tools – what is needed and how can it be created considering future developments?
Bio-aerosols
This session will address challenges such as establishing the fate of bio-aerosols based on their physico-chemical behaviours in diverse built environments, establishing exposures to viruses, spores and fungi indoors and pollen outdoors, and establishing representativeness of specific measurements for exposure across a target population group. Discussions points will include:
- Latest bio-aerosol online measurement techniques and synergistic opportunities of laboratory-based analysis methods
- How important are chemical processes for bio-aerosol lifetimes and fates?
- Are there tracers or proxies that can be used to flag hazardous bio-aerosol hotspots?
Edgbaston Park Hotel
Edgbaston Park Hotel, 53 Hornton Grange, Birmingham, B15 2RS, UK
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A unique conference format that prioritises discussion
At a Faraday Discussion, the primary research papers written by the speakers are distributed to all participants before the meeting – ensuring that most of the meeting is devoted to discussing the latest research.
This provides a genuinely collaborative environment, where discussion and debate are at the foreground. All delegates, not just speakers, are invited to make comments, ask questions, or present complementary or contradictory measurements and calculations.
An exciting programme of talks – and more
Take part in a well-balanced mix of talks, discussion, poster sessions and informal networking, delivered by our expert events team. You can explore the full programme in the downloadable files on the right – whether you’re attending in-person or online, every minute provides an opportunity.
In-depth discussion with leaders in the field
World-leading and established researchers connect with each other and early-career scientists and postgraduate students to discuss the latest research and drive science forwards. It’s a unique atmosphere – and challenging others to get to the heart of the problem is encouraged!
Your contributions, published and citable
A citable record of the discussion is published in the Faraday Discussions journal, alongside the research papers. Questions, comments and remarks become a valuable part of the published scientific conversation, and every delegate can make a major contribution
Events Team
Royal Society of Chemistry
Thomas Graham House, Science Park, Milton Road, Cambridge, CB4 0WF UK