International team wins prestigious Royal Society of Chemistry Prize

The team is a collaboration between UCL School of Pharmacy, UCL Division of Surgery, Marmara University, University of Kent, Department of Global and Lifelong learning, ICT Mumbai, and Queen Mary University. 

They won the prize for the creation of the 3DI Virtual Reality Institute, a digital space for students and colleagues from across the globe to meet and collaborate.

The team receives a team trophy, a certificate, and a custom video promoting their work. Each team member also receives an individual token of recognition.

Digital virtual reality institutes are innovative digital platforms designed to address global inequalities in access to scientific training and education. Using cutting-edge virtual reality (VR) technologies, the project creates immersive and inclusive environments for learning and collaboration.

The institutes provide 24/7 access to a fully immersive virtual space, where students and scientists can engage in hands-on training, collaborative meetings, and conferences. This promotes equality in education by allowing students from remote and underprivileged regions to access high quality scientific training, and supports environmental sustainability by reducing the need for travel. 

The concept of the virtual centres has been led by Dr Stephen Hilton at UCL, creating a bridge with colleagues across the UK, Marmara University in Turkey with the 3DI centre, and colleagues across India as part of the ISCC.

Dr Helen Pain, Chief Executive of the Royal Society of Chemistry, said: 

“The chemical sciences are at the forefront of tackling a range of challenges facing our world. From fundamental chemistry to cutting-edge innovations, the work that chemical scientists do has an important role to play in building our future.

“The inspiration, innovation and dedication of those who work in education is fundamental to the progress of the chemical sciences – shaping the future and setting our young people up to tackle the challenges and the opportunities facing our society and our planet.

“The team’s work demonstrates an outstanding commitment to chemistry education, and it is our honour to celebrate their considerable contribution.”

The Royal Society of Chemistry’s prizes have recognised excellence in the chemical sciences for more than 150 years. This year’s winners join a prestigious list of past winners in the RSC’s prize portfolio, 60 of whom have gone on to win Nobel Prizes for their work, including 2022 Nobel Laureate Carolyn Bertozzi and 2019 Nobel laureate John B Goodenough. 

The Horizon Prizes for Education highlight recent initiatives that are set to make a real impact within the field of education. These could include teaching programmes or techniques, research breakthroughs, innovative technologies and more. 

For more information about the RSC’s prizes portfolio, visit rsc.li/prizes. 

About the Royal Society of Chemistry

We are an international organisation connecting chemical scientists with each other, with other scientists, and with society as a whole. Founded in 1841 and based in London, UK, we have an international membership of over 50,000. We use the surplus from our global publishing and knowledge business to give thousands of chemical scientists the support and resources required to make vital advances in chemical knowledge. We develop, recognise and celebrate professional capabilities, and we bring people together to spark new ideas and new partnerships. We support teachers to inspire future generations of scientists, and we speak up to influence the people making decisions that affect us all. We are a catalyst for the chemistry that enriches our world.