Lecture outline

Plastic is vilified as the environmental baddie with many advocating for banning it altogether. This talk will look at the environmental impact of polymers and the consider whether they have any redeeming features. Should they be banned – or at least severely limited? Or should we embrace them as saviours of the planet?

Biographical note

Averil Macdonald is Emeritus Professor at the University of Reading, was formerly Professor of Inclusion and Equality at University of Birmingham and has now joined Cornerstone, University of Southampton, as EDI Lead.

Averil was awarded the international Bragg Medal and Prize (1999) by the Institute of Physics, London, the accolade of Woman of Outstanding Achievement in Science (2007) in recognition of her work in Science Communication, the prestigious Plastics Industry Award for Personal Contribution to the Industry (2007), Honorary Doctorates by the University of York (2010) and Kingston University (2015) and an OBE in the Birthday Honours list 2015 for services to women in science. Most recently she was elected Honorary Fellow of the Institute of Physics in recognition of lifetime achievement encouraging diversity in Physics.

From 2019-2021 Averil was Master of the Worshipful Company of Fuellers in the City of London working alongside HRH Prince Edward the Earl of Wessex as Royal Master. Throughout her time as she championed future energy solutions to decarbonise the UK, with a particular emphasis on using hydrogen. Averil was Chair of the Board of UKOOG, the professional association for UK Onshore Oil and Gas industry, advocating decarbonising natural gas to generate blue hydrogen.

Averil’s other focus is supporting underrepresented groups in STEM careers. She was a member of the Women’s Business Council, advising the UK Government, sat on the board of Directors of WISE, (the Campaign for Women in Science and Engineering), and has served as a Trustee of the Science Museum Group, a Director of the Cheltenham Festivals and sat on the Court of Imperial College.

At international Level Averil represented the UK at the 2016 G7 Summit in Japan on Women in Business, has chaired Forum for Physics in Society in the European Physical Society and sat on the EU Helsinki Group for Gender in Research and Innovation advising the EU Commission on gender issues.

Attending the lecture

The lecture is open both to members of the Society and to guests.

The lecture will take place in Hansom Hall - how to find Hansom Hall.

Please note that tea and coffee drinks will be available between 7.00pm and 7.15pm before the formal start of the event at 7.30pm.

The lecture will also be streamed on Zoom. A recording of the lecture may be available to members only.