From October 16 to 18, the 4th National Forum for Women Catalysis Scientists with the theme of “Her Wisdom · Catalyzing a New Journey” was held at the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology (USST). Hosted by the Catalysis Division of the Chinese Chemical Society and undertaken by the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, the forum was co-organized by the School of Materials and Chemistry of USST, Jiujiang Innovation Research Institute, and the Shanghai Australia Joint International Laboratory for Electronic Resin Materials. More than 300 delegates from over 60 universities, research institutes and relevant institutions across the country attended the event.
The forum focused on cutting-edge research directions including the fabrication of catalytic materials, precise catalytic conversion, energy catalysis and advanced characterization. Seven plenary lectures were delivered by distinguished experts including Jing He, Aiqin Wang, Jing Ma, Xiulian Pan, Zhimin Liu, Jinlan Wang and Lina Li. A total of 68 presentations were scheduled across three parallel sessions, among which over 40 were given by early-career researchers and doctoral students. A poster session was also arranged. Female journal editors from Carbon Future, ACS Catalysis, Chinese Journal of Catalysis and other journals exchanged ideas with participating teachers and students, creating more opportunities for young researchers to present their findings and foster collaborations.
The opening ceremony took place in the Library and Information Center of USST on the morning of October 17. Zhao Ning, Deputy Secretary of the University Party Committee and Secretary of the Commission for Discipline Inspection, delivered a welcome address. Wang Wei, Fourth-Level Researcher of the New Energy Division of the Shanghai Science and Technology Commission; Yang Xue, Deputy Director of the Research Division of the Shanghai Municipal Education Commission; Jianguo Wang, Vice Chair of the Catalysis Division of the Chinese Chemical Society; and Feixue Gao, Director of the Second Section of the Department of Chemical Sciences, National Natural Science Foundation of China, delivered remarks in sequence. The guests exchanged views on innovation in catalysis science, transformation of research achievements and the career development of female scientific and technological talents, and fully recognized the forum’s role in promoting academic cooperation and supporting the growth of young researchers. Gao Feixue also put forward suggestions on establishing a long-term communication mechanism for the forum, expanding university‑enterprise cooperation and addressing the practical needs of female researchers. Academician Can Li, Director of the Catalysis Division of the Chinese Chemical Society and from the Dalian Institute of Chemical Physics, Chinese Academy of Sciences, sent a congratulatory letter to the forum. Academician Li remarked that the forum has become “a distinctive and warm branded academic event” in China’s catalysis community. He expressed his wish for the sustainable development of the forum to offer more communication and growth opportunities for young female researchers.
The closing ceremony and award ceremony were held on the afternoon of October 18. Present experts awarded certificates to winners of the Outstanding Doctoral Presentation Award and Outstanding Poster Award.
First launched in 2018, the National Forum for Women Catalysis Scientists is one of the largest and most influential annual academic conferences for women researchers in the field of catalysis under the Chinese Chemical Society. Held in Shanghai, where the forum debuted, during the 120th anniversary of the founding of the University of Shanghai for Science and Technology, this event showcased the latest research advances by female scientists in China’s catalysis community and demonstrated the unique mission and commitment of female researchers amid scientific and technological innovation in the new era. As the organizer, USST attached great importance to and fully supported the forum, making every effort to guarantee its high-standard delivery and ensure its great success. As one of the major co-organizers, the School of Materials and Chemistry carried out elaborate planning and preparation. Taking the successful forum as an opportunity, the school will further orient its work toward national strategic needs, strengthen discipline development, vigorously promote industry-university-research collaboration, comprehensively improve the quality of talent training and scientific research, and better serve local economic and social development.
Full text: https://www.usst.edu.cn/2026/1022/c934a70692/page.htm