Aston University joins SCI as latest Academic Member

Partnership aims to boost innovation, advance sustainability projects, and support the research ecosystem in the UK.

London, 16th June – The Society of Chemical Industry (SCI) has announced Aston University as its latest Academic Member.

Aston University is well known for its focus on career-oriented teaching, industry engagement, and applied research. It aims to be a leading UK institution for students looking to succeed in business, supported by original research, enterprise, and high quality teaching. It is a sector leader for Knowledge Transfer Partnerships, in the top 5% of global evaluated institutions (QS World University Rankings 2026), and it is in the top 20% of UK Universities for working with businesses.

Academic membership with SCI gives Universities the opportunity to join a global network of scientists and entrepreneurs, and access to SCI’s portfolio of products and services, such as scientific information, professional development opportunities, careers support, and industry-leading technical events.

Aston University joins a wider community of Academic Members, including The University of York, The University of Greenwich and the University of Birmingham (CDT Engineering department).

Dr Kirstie Cochrane, Director of Stakeholder Engagement at SCI said “Combining academic excellence and industrial scale is core to the SCI mission, and is vital to tackling societal challenges such as with health and climate. Aston will be a valuable member of our group, and it will greatly support SCI’s efforts to link science and business”

Professor Mike Caine, interim Vice-Chancellor of Aston University, said: “Partnerships like this create exciting opportunities for both students and researchers. Working with SCI will strengthen links with industry, while giving our students access to valuable professional networks and collaboration opportunities.

“It also reflects Aston University’s long-standing commitment to applied research and partnerships that help tackle global challenges.”

About the Society of Chemical Industry 

SCI is an independent, charitable learned society that helps bring science from the lab into industry quicker for the benefit of society. 

SCI is a global network of innovators using science to tackle some of the big societal challenges of the day, across climate & planet and health & wellness. SCI brings together companies with $500bn in global sales and $30bn in scientific R&D; publishes nine peer reviewed journals, including the recently launched Sustainability journal; and convenes a broad range of technical and regional interest groups. 

Through its mentoring and training programmes, SCI empowers future leaders in science and business. 

About Aston University

For over 130 years, Aston University has been making our world a better place through education, research and innovation. Our history is intertwined with the remarkable city of Birmingham, once the heartland of the Industrial Revolution and now the thriving base for an innovation ecosystem of global significance, which Aston is co-creating.

Our vision is to be a leading university for science, technology and enterprise, measured by the positive transformational impact we achieve for our people, students, businesses and the communities we serve.

Aston focuses on high-quality, exploitable research that has an impact on society through medical breakthroughs, advancements in engineering, policy and practice in government, and the strategies and performance of business.

The University offers a range of undergraduate and postgraduate degree programmes, as well as continuing professional development solutions. 

Thanks to its focus on delivering excellent outcomes for students, Aston University's reputation for employability continues to grow. It is second in England for social mobility (2025 HEPI Social Mobility Index) and is top 20 for graduate salaries (2025 Longitudinal Education Outcomes).

Aston University is now defining its place in the Fourth Industrial Revolution (and beyond) within a rapidly changing world.

For media inquiries in relation to this release, contact Richard Woodall, Press and Communications Manager, on email: r.woodall@aston.ac.uk

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