Dr Adrian Boyd, Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials at Ulster University, has helped secure national recognition for the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Biomaterials Chemistry Group, which has been awarded the prestigious Inspirational Committee Award 2026.
The Inspirational Committee Award is awarded to the committee that demonstrated its development of a programme of activity to empower their community and foster inclusion across career stage and sector.
The award recognises the RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Group’s exceptional contribution to supporting their members, strengthening professional communities and advancing the chemical sciences.
The RSC judging panel unanimously agreed that the Biomaterials Chemistry Group should receive the award, citing its commitment to building a collaborative and supportive community that connects academia, industry and clinical practice.
In its citation, the Royal Society of Chemistry praised the committee:
“For the development of a programme of activity to empower their community and foster inclusion across career stage and sector.”
The panel highlighted the group’s delivery of high-impact events, mentoring initiatives and professional development opportunities that have strengthened engagement across the biomaterials community and encouraged innovation and knowledge exchange.
The committee’s work has also supported career development for RSC members, promoted interdisciplinary collaboration across the chemical sciences and helped accelerate the translation of biomaterials research into healthcare and wider societal applications.
Dr Adrian Boyd, an active member of the RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Group and Senior Lecturer in Biomaterials at Ulster University, welcomed the recognition:
“Being part of the RSC community has been a valuable way to connect research across academia and industry, and I have found the committee a supportive environment for sharing ideas and helping to strengthen links within the biomaterials and wider chemical sciences community.”
Alongside his role at Ulster University, Dr Boyd currently serves as President of the UK Society for Biomaterials (UKSB).
Reflecting on the achievement, Dr Adrian Boyd added:
“The members of the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC) Biomaterials Chemistry Group are proud to contribute to the community that supports biomaterials research and innovation.
“It is always a privilege to give back to the community that supports us and we hope this recognition will encourage others to get involved and help shape the future of our field.”
The award-winning RSC Biomaterials Chemistry Group brings together experts from leading universities across the UK and Ireland, including representatives from Ulster University, the University of Aveiro, University of Surrey, King’s College London, University of Liverpool, University of Reading, Loughborough University, the University of Manchester, Sheffield Hallam University and the University of Nottingham.
