Chemistry

Since our inception in 2012, we have invested over £30 million in your learning environment and recruited world-leading academic staff to match our ambitions.

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A row of students in a Chemistry Laboratory are conducting experiments

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Take a tour of the Chemistry Department

Embark on a virtual, 360-degree, Department tour and get a sneak peek of our dedicated labs and study areas!

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The outside of the Chemistry Building with wildflowers growing in front of it.

Research

Our Chemistry research is divided into five themes led by a team of research-active staff, at the forefront of their fields.

  • Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy

    Physical and analytical chemistry at Lancaster encompasses the characterisation of chemical structures, mechanisms and properties. This is applied to a wide range of systems including catalysts, energy materials, biomolecules and polymers.

  • Electrochemistry and Surfaces

    Electrochemistry is a diverse, multidisciplinary topic at the interface of electrical processes and chemical reactions.

  • Inorganic Chemistry

    Inorganic chemistry at Lancaster focuses on the design, synthesis and study of new transition metal-based and main-group compounds, for application in catalysis, materials and medicine.

  • Organic Chemistry

    Organic chemistry at Lancaster focuses on the design and study of new organic and catalytic processes, for the synthesis of small molecules with application in materials and medicine.

  • Theoretical and Computational Chemistry

    Chemical theory and computation at Lancaster focuses on advancing the fundamental description of chemical systems as well as the application of simulations to provide insights and interpretations of experimental data.

Business and Enterprise

We work with businesses of all sizes and in many ways - with collaborative research, internships, training, guest lectures and more.

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Dr John Fielden and Dr James Williams in the lab

New £307k Leverhulme Trust grant: Probing for i-Motif DNA with Ruthenium Complexes gets under way

Dr John Fielden, Reader and Head of the Inorganic Chemistry Section in the LU chemistry, has started the project “Probing for i-Motif DNA with Ruthenium Complexes”, with the arrival of Senior Research Associate Dr James Williams. 
Image of the group involved in the event - 22 people in total with the front 7 people sitting on chairs and the others standing, posing for the photo.

Successful Global Collaboration Event for developing a secure and sustainable future

Event brings Lancaster researchers together with two of our international partner campuses for research-focused event
A girl playing with the Van Der Graaf Generator.

FST embark on engagement extravaganza with a host of activities at Campus in the City

Researchers from across the Faculty of Science and Technology represented the University at the hugely successful Campus in the City event on 11th and 12th April, with ten activities from across five departments.
Josef giving his talk

Lancaster Chemistry student presents research at SCI Young Chemists' Panel Undergraduate Research Symposium

Final year MChem student Josef Stevenson-Hornby presented his research at the SCI Young Chemists' Panel Undergraduate Research Symposium on the 11th April 2025.
Faculty of Science and Technology banned with Executive Dean Professor Pete Atkinson and seven PhD winners of awards at the Celebration of Science.

Celebration of Science is a Big Success in its 20th Year

The Faculty of Science and Technology’s Celebration of Science 2025: Discovery for a Changing World has taken place. This is the 20th year that an event has been run, showcasing research across the Faculty.

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Events

22nd May

Chirality and Complexity of Biomimetic Nanostructures

Thursday 22 May 2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm
11th Jun

Advanced Techniques at the National Crystallography Service

Wednesday 11 June 2025, 2:00pm to 3:00pm

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