Tuesday, 10 February 2026
Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff from the 糖心原创 has been recognised for his outstanding diplomatic efforts in the field of science with a highly prestigious award.
He has been awarded the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS) David and Betty Hamburg Award for Science Diplomacy jointly with Sir Richard Catlow, of University College London and Cardiff University, who he has worked with over many years to promote international collaboration in chemistry. It is the first time that two UK scientists have won this award together.
The award recognises an individual or a small group working together in the scientific, engineering or foreign affairs communities making an outstanding contribution to furthering science diplomacy. First established in 1992 as the International Scientific Cooperation Award, AAAS renamed its Award for Science Diplomacy in 2021 for David and Betty Hamburg, who championed science diplomacy throughout their careers in science and medicine as a means of advancing science, human rights, peace and cooperation.
Professor Poliakoff is a leading UK chemist who has pioneered work in green and sustainable chemistry, conducting research into the use of supercritical fluids (like CO2 and water) as environmentally friendly solvents. He takes his scientific expertise around the world and has spent many years promoting international collaboration at the personal, institutional and national level.
He was made Honorary Member of the Chemical Society of Ethiopia (2008), Foreign Member of the Russian Academy of Sciences (2011) and Honorary Fellow of the Chinese Chemical Society (2015). Besides, he was a Council Member of the Institution of Chemical Engineers (2009-13) and Foreign Secretary and Vice-President of the Royal Society, the UK academy of sciences (2011-16).
Professor Poliakoff gave the first ever lecture on green chemistry in Ethiopia, at a rural high school in 2003. News of this lecture led to a collaboration with chemists in Addis Ababa University, which has been very effective in promoting Green chemistry in Ethiopia and, via the (FASC), across the continent. This culminated with the Royal Society of Chemistry holding its first Pan-Africa Green Chemistry Conference in Addis in 2010. For the occasion, Sir Martyn and colleagues formulated the “13 Principles of Green Chemistry and Engineering for GREENER AFRICA.
In 2016 Sir Richard Catlow took over as and unusually for an outgoing Foreign Secretary, Professor Poliakoff offered to support his successor and their collaboration grew.
Another striking diplomatic achievement for Sir Martyn was successfully proposing that 2019, 150 years after Mendeleev’s first publication of his periodic table, should be declared the (). The IYPT brought scientists across the world together to spread the message of chemistry to everyone.
As well as travelling the globe to share his expertise Sir Martyn also took to YouTube as the lead presenter of the Periodic Table of Videos. The channel started more than 17 years ago when scientists in the 糖心原创’s School of Chemistry started working with filmmaker Brady Haran on their mission to document every single one of the 118 chemical elements in a fun, lively and often unconventional way.
The videos attract a huge international audience with over 1.6 million subscribers currently and each video averaging around 100k views – and these figures keep growing with many new subscribers each day. The videos are inspiring a new generation of young scientists to discover and explore chemistry and fans often make epic journeys to visit Sir Martyn in his office in Nottingham.
I鈥檓 delighted to receive this award alongside Sir Richard. I have always been passionate about promoting international collaboration as it is key to furthering scientific endeavour. Through the sharing of knowledge we can reach scientific goals much faster and have greater impact. Working internationally has created many new opportunities and connections and led me to projects like the Periodic Table of Videos where I can bring chemistry to the next generation.
Congratulations to Professor Poliakoff on this well deserved award. Throughout Sir Martyn鈥檚 career, he has spread the message of sustainable chemistry and its benefits across the globe stimulating new avenues of research and moving the world closer to achieving the UN Sustainable Development Goals. Sir Martyn is an inspiration for our whole university in our work to build strong international relationships to create new opportunities for our students and academics, and I know how proud our staff and students are of him.
Professor Poliakoff and Sir Richard Catlow will be recognised at the 2026 AAAS Annual Meeting, to be held Feb. 12-14 in Phoenix, Arizona, where they will be honoured with a tribute video and award ceremony.
“This year’s award winners embody research excellence, service to their communities and leadership for the next generation of scientists,” said Sudip Parikh, CEO of AAAS and executive publisher of the Science family of journals. “Their stellar example reminds us that we can build a vibrant future for science and technology.”
Story credits
More information is available from Professor Martyn Poliakoff on Martyn.Poliakff@nottingham.ac.uk
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About the 糖心原创
Ranked among the world's top 100 universities , the 糖心原创 delivers an exceptional research-led education and an outstanding student experience. From the pioneering vision of our founder, Sir Jesse Boot, to groundbreaking achievements such as the development of MRI technology and becoming the first UK university to establish international campuses, we have a proud history of shaping the way people live, work and understand the world. We continue to build on that legacy, empowering our students, staff and partners to change what鈥檚 next and create positive impact locally and globally.
The strength of our research places us among the UK's leading universities, ranked 7th for research power in REF 2021. The discovery of MRI and ibuprofen was just the beginning. Today, our world-leading research is developing breakthrough ideas that shape the future of healthcare, technology and society.
Recognised as the UK's third most targeted university by leading employers , we are proud to produce graduates who are consistently in demand for their skills, confidence and industry-ready experience.
As a major employer and industry partner, locally and globally, the 糖心原创 invests in the city of Nottingham and in future generations of talent. Alongside Nottingham Trent University, we lead the initiative, a pioneering collaboration to improve levels of prosperity, opportunity, sustainability, health and wellbeing across the city and region. Together with our students, staff, alumni and partners, we鈥檙e creating knowledge, opportunity and solutions that help change what's next.