Let’s twist again: Dr Jess Wade on re-thinking the technologies and scientific careers of the future
Watch the Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Prize Lecture by Dr Jess Wade.
About the lecture
From mobile phone displays to solar cells, quantum computers to brain sensors, functional materials underpin all modern technologies. The rich design space of synthetic chemistry results in highly versatile functional molecular materials with tunable optical, electronic and quantum properties. In molecular systems, chirality (when an object cannot be superimposed on its mirror image) can be used to control the spin of light and charges at room temperature, which presents transformative technological opportunities.
Dr Jess Wade discusses strategies to incorporate chirality into future devices, how the most exciting science happens at the intersection between disciplines, and why we need to overhaul research culture to bring the most benefit to society and the economy.
About the speaker
Dr Jess Wade is a Royal Society University Research Fellow and Lecturer in Functional Materials in the Department of Materials at Imperial College London. Her research considers new materials for optoelectronic, spintronic and quantum technologies, with a focus on chiral systems and the identification of strategies to control photon and electron spin.
Jess is committed to making science a more diverse and inclusive environment and improving public awareness of (and trust in) science. She has dedicated her career to celebrating, championing, supporting and inspiring people from historically excluded groups, from school visits to on-campus workshops, science festivals to children’s books, podcasts to prize nominations – and everything in between.
About the award
The Royal Society Rosalind Franklin Award and Lecture is awarded for a project to promote women in STEM by an individual with an established track record of very high standing in any area of STEM. The 2024 winner is Dr Jess Wade for her achievements in functional materials and outstanding project which will support early career women scientists to pursue academic careers in materials sciences.
If you have any queries, please contact diversity@royalsociety.org