Williams is a Chemist working at Oxford University. She develops new sustainable technologies for polymer production and carbon dioxide usage. Her innovative catalysts transform abundant renewable resources into polymers and allow natural bio-chemicals and carbon dioxide to replace petrochemicals in scalable materials production. Her research interests include low pressure carbon dioxide copolymerisation catalysis, rationalising bimetallic catalytic synergy, switchable polymerisation catalysis applicable to monomer mixtures, stereochemical control in lactide polymerisation, oxygenated polymer chemistry, bio-based and recyclable plastics, thermoplastic elastomers, adhesives and coatings. Her research aims to combine unconventional raw materials, with implementable materials production, processing and to provide  polymers designed for recycling and, ultimately, complete degradation.

Williams is a Fellow of Trinity College, Associate Head of Chemistry (Research) and an EPSRC Established Career Research Fellow. Her work has recently been recognised by an OBE for services to Chemistry (2020), Macro Group UK Medal (2019), Dechema Otto Roelen Medal (2018), Sir John Meurig Thomas Medal for Catalysis (2017), Royal Society of Chemistry Corday Morgan Medal (2016) and a Women in Science and Engineering Award (2015).