Chapter Two: Conversations- Spark Ideas. Ignite Conversations.
Join a vibrant community of curious minds and bold voices. Our interactive talks dive into a wide spectrum of topics - from cutting-edge innovation to timeless philosophy - all powered by thought leaders who inspire, challenge, and connect us.

Chapter Two: The Road to Commercialisation – A Conversation with Prof. Stuart James

This session offers a rare opportunity to hear directly from Professor Stuart L. James, who has successfully spun out not just one, but two companies from his academic research. Designed for researchers, PhD students, principal investigators, and research support professionals, this conversation will illuminate the realities of translating research into commercial ventures.

In this session, we will explore:

• The milestones and challenges in Prof. James’ commercialisation journey

• The highs and lows of spinning out a company

• Why academics should consider commercialisation

• How to balance the demands of an academic career with entrepreneurship

• Whether it’s possible to return fully to academia after founding a company

The discussion will include a live Q&A, giving participants the chance to engage directly with Prof. James and learn from his experience.

Following the session, lunch will be served, and attendees will have the chance to network with like-minded innovators from across the University. This is an essential event for anyone interested in transforming research into real-world impact.

📅 October 8, 2025 | 🕑 12:30–14:00 | 📍 Graduate School, Room TR

👉 Sign up HERE

About Professor Stuart James

Professor Stuart L. James is a world-leading chemist whose research at Queen’s University Belfast is helping to shape the future of materials science and sustainable technologies. After academic posts across the UK and Europe, he joined Queen’s to focus on designing innovative porous materials and pioneering greener chemical processes.

He is best known as the originator of porous liquids - a breakthrough class of materials that combine the fluidity of a liquid with the absorbent properties of a porous solid, opening new possibilities for efficient gas capture and separation. His commitment to turning science into real-world solutions has also seen him co-found two successful companies: Porous Liquid Technologies, which develops applications for this cutting-edge material, and MOF Technologies (now trading as Nuada), a spin-out advancing metal-organic frameworks for carbon capture and clean energy.

Through his research and entrepreneurial ventures, Professor James continues to push the boundaries of chemistry and translate discovery into technologies with global impact.