Distinguished Scientist Award 2026
The EuChemS Working Party Chemistry for Cultural Heritage (WP ChemCH) is pleased to announce that Professor Koen Janssens has been selected as the recipient of the Chemistry for Cultural Heritage Distinguished Scientist Award 2026.
This biannual award recognizes individuals who demonstrate innovation and excellence in advancing the science and practice of chemistry for cultural heritage at the European and international levels. The award honours sustained and significant achievements in research, education, innovation, interdisciplinary collaboration, and the societal impact of chemistry in the context of heritage science.
Professor Janssens was selected following a highly competitive evaluation process conducted by a 5-member committee elected from among the delegates of the Working Party Chemistry for Cultural Heritage, including the WP Chair. The Committee assessed nominees according to criteria including scientific excellence, research leadership, transformative contributions to the field, interdisciplinary impact, commitment to professional integrity, contributions to public policy and society, among others.
The 2026 call attracted three outstanding nominations, reflecting the vitality and excellence of the international chemistry for cultural heritage community. Professor Janssens distinguished himself among exceptional candidates through his remarkable scientific contributions, leadership, and lasting impact on the field.
The award will be formally presented during the ChemCH 2026 Conference (8–11 June 2026, Bled, Slovenia), where Professor Janssens will deliver the Distinguished Scientist Award Lecture.
WP ChemCH warmly congratulates Professor Janssens on this well-deserved recognition and thanks him for his dedication to advancing chemistry for cultural heritage.
Early-Stage Scientist Award 2026
The EuChemS Working Party Chemistry for Cultural Heritage (WP ChemCH) is pleased to announce that Dr. Barbara Huber has been selected as the recipient of the Chemistry for Cultural Heritage Early-Stage Scientist Award 2026.
This biannual award recognizes outstanding early-career researchers who demonstrate innovation and excellence at the intersection of chemistry, technology, society, and cultural heritage. The award highlights significant achievements during the early stages of a researcher’s career and reflects the Working Party’s strong commitment to supporting and promoting emerging driving forces in the field.
Dr. Huber was selected following a highly competitive evaluation process conducted by a 5-member committee elected from among the delegates of the Working Party Chemistry for Cultural Heritage, including the Chair of the mentioned WP. The Committee assessed nominees according to criteria including research excellence, demonstrated impact within and beyond academia, capacity to foster international scientific cooperation, vision for future contributions to the field, among others.
The 2026 call attracted six highly competitive nominations, reflecting the vitality, diversity, and forward-looking spirit of the international chemistry for cultural heritage community. Dr. Huber distinguished herself through remarkable scientific achievements at an early career stage, and a compelling vision for advancing the field.
The award will be formally presented during the ChemCH 2026 Conference (8–11 June 2026, Bled, Slovenia), where Dr. Huber will deliver the Early-Stage Scientist Award Lecture.
WP ChemCH warmly congratulates Dr. Huber and recognizes the valuable contributions she has already made, and that we are confident that she will continue contributing to chemistry for cultural heritage.
EuChemS WP ChemCH Launches Two Biannual Awards!
The EuChemS Working Party Chemistry for Cultural Heritage (WP ChemCH) is proud to announce the launch of two new biannual awards to recognise excellence and innovation in our field:
- Distinguished Scientist Award: Recognising individuals for long-term innovation and excellence that significantly advances the science and practice of chemistry for cultural heritage at the European and international level.
- Early-Stage Scientist Award: Designed to highlight the innovation and early-career achievements of researchers (up to 8 years post-PhD) working at the exciting intersection of chemistry, technology, society, and cultural heritage.
Key Date: The deadline for nominations for both awards is January 15th, 2026. Recipients will be invited to lecture at the ChemCH 2026 Congress in Bled, Slovenia.
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The Chemistry for Cultural Heritage Working Party at the EuChemS (European Chemical Society) is delighted to announce the 8th Conference on Chemistry for Cultural Heritage at Bled, Slovenia, 8-11 June 2026!
Abstract submission deadline: 1 February 2026. You can register yourself at conference website https://chemch2026.fkkt.uni-lj.si/
Heritage Science EWG of the Royal Society of Chemistry is organising a hybrid symposium on the 23rd of April, 2026: “Revealing the Past: Analytical Methods in Heritage Science”.
More information on how to join in person or online can be found on the symposium webpage: Revealing the Past: Analytical Methods in Heritage Science. The program can be seen and downloaded here.