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Plastic pollution is a global crisis, harming health, ecosystems, and contributing to climate change. Research into its impacts and potential solutions, along with effective communication and cross-disciplinary collaboration, is both crucial and urgent.

In March 2025, the Revolution Plastics Institute proudly hosted its first PhD conference at the ̽����ѡ. The event brought together over 45 emerging researchers from around the world, all dedicated to finding innovative solutions to the global plastics crisis and addressing its detrimental impact.  
 

The first day kicked off with a welcome from key members of the Revolution Plastics Institute, including Professor Fay Couceiro, Dr Cressida Bowyer and Dr Tegan Evans.

Dr Cressida Bowyer opened the conference with an icebreaker that set the stage for collaboration and camaraderie. The students came together to creatively act out each other's research topics, transforming complex studies into a series of short scenes. This activity broke the ice, sparked laughter, and fostered vibrant collaboration — as the photo below might suggest!

Next up, the first session of PhD presentations began, featuring research on the plastic waste generated by forensic consumables in crime scenes and the progress of the global plastics treaty. 

Across the two-day event, PhD students presented unique research on various aspects of plastics, from microplastics and their impact on ecosystems and human health through to new sustainable materials. The range of topics represented highlights the multifaceted nature of the plastics problem and the need for diverse solutions.

You can view the full list of subject talks on the conference webpage.

Day two continued with research presentations and interactive workshops. Researchers shared their findings on innovative solutions like using waste textiles in engineering applications and enhancing the biodegradability of plastic polymers. These sessions not only showcased cutting-edge research but also encouraged lively discussions and networking among participants.

A particular highlight of Day 2 was the ‘Why Transdisciplinarity Matters’ workshop, which encouraged students to develop collaborations across diverse fields to amplify their research’s societal impact. Dr Cressida Bowyer presented examples of successful collaborations between science, policy, and the arts.  

Arguably the most memorable part of this workshop involved shaping research terms using salt dough, adding a fun and tactile element to the learning experience. Using three colours of salt dough, attendees were encouraged to sculpt what they thought best represented these terms: disciplinary, multidisciplinary, interdisciplinary and transdisciplinary.

Here is a great example to explain the concepts.

1. Disciplinary - focusing research efforts within the boundaries of a single academic discipline
2. Multidisciplinary - different disciplines work independently on a common problem or research question
3. Interdisciplinary - integrating knowledge and methods from two or more academic disciplines
4. Transdisciplinary - a holistic approach where various disciplines collaborate to generate new knowledge, methods and solutions that transcend disciplinary boundaries

The Revolution Plastics Institute champions transdisciplinary research to combat plastic pollution. Our work blends many disciplines, from studying microplastics' impact on air quality to co-developing solutions with global south communities, through to shaping global and regional policies to manage plastics.
 

Reflecting on the event, Dr Cressida Bowyer said: “The conference was a testament to the power of collaboration. It brought together brilliant minds from diverse fields, fostering an atmosphere to spark innovative ideas and creative solutions to the plastics crisis.”

Professor Fay Couceiro added: “Collaboration across disciplines is key to finding scalable solutions to plastics pollution. These new researchers are tomorrow’s leaders, shaping the future of our planet.”

Several delegates commented on the rewarding sense of community that emerged during the event, which was exactly what the organisers hoped to achieve.

The Revolution Plastics PhD Conference provided a unique platform for new researchers to connect, share ideas, and inspire each other. The event underscored the importance of interdisciplinary collaboration in addressing the complex challenges posed by plastic pollution. 

This first PhD conference is a significant step in tackling plastic pollution, paving the way for future innovations and collaborations. The Revolution Plastics Institute is committed to supporting the next generation of researchers for a more sustainable future.

Join the Institute’s community of plastics researchers . 

You can also , which will include upcoming events and conferences.

Best presentation

Winner: 

• Larisha Apete, Brunel University who presented “A Systems-Thinking Approach to Finding Solutions for Fishing Plastic Waste in Indonesia”

Highly Commended: 

• Angie Beckett, ̽����ѡ - “Finding the Needle: Strategic Screening for Discovery of Plastic-Degrading Bacteria in the Environment”
• Nadim Saadi, CIRAIG, Polytechnique Montréal - “Including Impacts of Microplastics in Life Cycle Assessment”
   

Best poster 

Leah Weatherup, ̽����ѡ - “Investigating Marine Pollution through Plastics, Underwater Noise and eDNA: A Collaborative Approach To Inform Policy”
 

Best photo

The winner of the conference photo competition was Vasco Martins, who is studying the interactions of macaques with plastic pollution in Indonesia.