Shaping the Future at the Nanoscale

Connecting discovery, innovation and collaboration across medicine, energy and environmental science.

The Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Chemical Nanoscience and Nanotechnology (CNN) Annual Symposium brings together researchers, academics, industry professionals and postgraduate scholars from across the international nanoscience community.

Held annually at Burlington House, London, the symposium provides a vibrant forum for sharing emerging research, discussing the challenges shaping nanotechnology, and building new scientific collaborations.

This year's programme explores how nanomaterials are enabling solutions to some of the most important challenges facing society today — from advancing healthcare and transforming energy technologies to protecting our environment.

Nanomaterials for a Changing World

Nanoscience is transforming the way we understand, design and apply materials at the smallest scales. By controlling matter at the nanoscale, researchers are developing new approaches to healthcare, energy generation and storage, environmental protection and sustainable technologies.

The CNN Annual Symposium provides a platform to explore these developments, bringing together diverse perspectives from fundamental science through to emerging applications and real-world impact.

Meet Our Speakers

Leading voices in chemical nanoscience and nanotechnology

We are delighted to welcome an outstanding group of researchers whose work spans advanced materials, energy, healthcare, sustainability and nanotechnology. Our plenary and invited speakers will share their latest discoveries, perspectives and insights into the future of nanoscale science.

Plenary Speakers

Professor Serena Cussen

School of Chemistry · University College Dublin, Ireland

Professor Serena Cussen is a Full Professor of Materials Chemistry at University College Dublin. Her research explores the relationship between materials synthesis, structure and function, with a particular focus on materials for electrochemical energy storage. Her work spans the development and understanding of advanced materials for next-generation energy technologies. Professor Cussen is also an active advocate for early-career researchers, mentoring and diversity in STEM.

Professor Caroline Kirk

School of Chemistry · University of Edinburgh, UK

Professor Caroline Kirk is Chair of Sustainable Materials Chemistry at the University of Edinburgh. Her interdisciplinary research spans solid-state materials chemistry and mineral chemistry, with interests in understanding mineral formation, stability and transformation under different environmental conditions. Her research has applications in areas including environmental remediation and energy storage, bringing together fundamental materials chemistry with real-world sustainability challenges.

Invited Speakers

Professor Carmel B. Breslin

Department of Chemistry · Maynooth University, Ireland

Professor Carmel Breslin's research sits at the intersection of electrochemistry, materials science, environmental chemistry and renewable energy. Her group investigates advanced materials with applications in areas including sensors and biomedical devices, highlighting the important connections between materials chemistry, electrochemical science and emerging technologies.

Dr Bo Hou

School of Physics and Astronomy · Cardiff University, UK

Dr Bo Hou is a Reader at Cardiff University whose research focuses on the synthesis and physics of colloidal quantum dots and their optoelectronic applications. His work explores quantum-dot materials for photovoltaics, LEDs, photodetectors, displays and image sensors, combining nanomaterials design with advanced electron microscopy and studies of charge and ion transport.

Dr Hannah Leese

Department of Chemical Engineering · University of Bath, UK

Dr Hannah Leese is a Reader in Chemical Engineering at the University of Bath and leads the Materials for Health research team. Her research focuses on advanced materials for sustainable healthcare, including point-of-care diagnostics, nanoneedles, therapeutic nanocomposite fibres and tissue engineering. Her interdisciplinary work brings together chemical engineering, materials science and biomedical technologies to address challenges in healthcare and sustainability.