Chemistry’s Diamond Anniversary

Posted on Thursday 25 September 2025

With attendees covering the full 60-year period, around 150 people joined us to look back over the history of the Department as well as hearing about a number of current and future research plans. After a welcome from the Vice-Chancellor, we heard about how the buildings, facilities, and people of the Department have adapted since it opened. In doing so we acknowledged the huge contributions of both Dick Norman and David Waddington in shaping the Department as a welcoming community of scientists, something that we still aspire to today. This was followed with talks from current colleagues Jamie Blaza, Helen Sneddon, Charlotte Willans and Chris Spicer highlighting future directions for research in their field, including at the biology-chemistry interface using cryo-electron-microscopy, sustainability in the chemical sciences, and the role that automation might play in the future.

Head of Department, Dr Derek Wann, said: “It was fantastic to see so many new and old friends of the Department come together to celebrate what is special about York Chemistry. The talk from David Pugh and Nigel Lowe on how teaching and practical tuition have changed was a firm favourite. I’ve been blown away with the letters and emails of thanks since the event, recounting stories of student days and remembering fondly those who have helped to shape our Department.”

At the event Dr Wann pledged to ensure that this was the start of a new conversation with our alumni and that we wouldn’t leave it another 10 years before having the next opportunity to return to the Department. With that in mind, talks are ongoing with the University archivist about potentially digitising much of the Departmental photograph collection to allow better access.