2020 marks one century since the completion of the first DPhil degree in the Department of Chemistry. DPhil students form the backbone of Oxford Chemistry: their curiosity, creativity and determination lead to invaluable insights across the breadth of the subject.
Professor M. Stanley Whittingham, former Oxford Chemist and one of the three winners of the 2019 Nobel Prize in Chemistry (for his role in the development of the lithium-ion battery), says of his time in Oxford:
"I was provided with the skills and freedom needed to pursue curiosities without constraints. I spent my formative years in Oxford and devoted my career to chemistry, and cannot stress enough the monumental potential for life-changing discoveries in fundamental science. Research students are critical drivers of this work, and Oxford provides a unique environment for them to explore radical concepts that could one day change the world."
Despite their critical importance, it is becoming increasingly difficult to secure funding for graduate students. As we celebrate one century of pioneering student research, we're embarking upon an ambitious mission to build up more support for Oxford Chemistry students than ever before.
Will you make a gift to support the education and training of the best chemists from around the world, regardless of background or circumstance?
Your gift will help spark curiosity in the brightest young scientists, giving them what they need to answer questions at the most fundamental level. It will enable us to proactively recruit the most creative and diligent students. It will catalyse potentially paradigm-shifting research in Oxford Chemistry and help innovative findings in the lab benefit society more rapidly. Every gift of every size makes a difference to the Department of Chemistry and the students your donation will support. Thank you for your generosity.