British Society of Rheology
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| British Society of Rheology | |
|---|---|
| Name | British Society of Rheology |
| Formation | 1940s |
| Type | Learned society |
| Headquarters | United Kingdom |
| Region served | United Kingdom, International |
| Language | English |
British Society of Rheology is a learned society devoted to the study of rheology and the flow and deformation of matter. The Society connects researchers from institutions such as University of Cambridge, Imperial College London, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, and University of Edinburgh with industrial partners like Unilever, BP (company), Shell plc, ICI plc and GlaxoSmithKline. It interfaces with international bodies including the Society of Rheology (USA), European Society of Rheology, International Union of Pure and Applied Physics, Royal Society, and Royal Academy of Engineering while engaging with applied communities at National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom), Cranfield University, and Manchester Metropolitan University.
History
The Society traces roots to mid-20th century gatherings influenced by researchers from University of Leeds, University of Birmingham, University of Sheffield, and University College London. Early figures associated with the field included scientists from King's College London, Queen Mary University of London, and engineering departments at University of Southampton and University of Bristol, alongside industrial laboratories at BP Research and ICI Research. The postwar expansion aligned the Society with international efforts at forums such as the International Congress on Rheology and collaborations with laboratories at Max Planck Society, École Polytechnique, CNRS, and ETH Zurich. Over decades the Society's timeline intersects with conferences in cities like London, Manchester, Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Leeds, and Cambridge and with awardees from institutions like University of Warwick and University of Strathclyde.
Organization and Governance
Governance follows a council- and committee-based model analogous to structures at Royal Society of Chemistry, Institute of Physics, British Hydrological Society, and Engineering Council (United Kingdom). Officers often hold joint posts at universities such as University of Liverpool, University of Nottingham, University of Bath, and University of Exeter and liaise with national laboratories including National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom) and The Welding Institute. The Society coordinates specialist groups and working parties in ways similar to American Chemical Society divisions, with committees that reflect connections to European Polymer Federation, International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry, and policy interfaces like UK Research and Innovation and Department for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy. Honorary posts have been held by academics linked to Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Oxford, University of Manchester, and industrialists from Rolls-Royce Holdings, Siemens, Arup Group, and AstraZeneca.
Activities and Meetings
Regular activities include annual meetings, specialist symposia, and workshops mirroring events at Society of Rheology (USA), European Society of Rheology, American Physical Society, Materials Research Society, and Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining. Meetings have convened in partnership with institutions such as Daresbury Laboratory, STFC Rutherford Appleton Laboratory, Diamond Light Source, National Centre for Universities and Business, and The Royal Institution. The Society organizes theme sessions on topics of interest to collaborators at BP (company), Unilever, Nestlé, Procter & Gamble, and Johnson & Johnson, and participates in joint events with Royal Society, Royal Academy of Engineering, Wellcome Trust, and Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council. International liaison occurs through links to conferences like the International Congress on Rheology and meetings at APS March Meeting-style venues, with exhibitors from Anton Paar, Malvern Panalytical, TA Instruments, and Brookfield Engineering.
Publications and Awards
The Society issues newsletters, conference proceedings, and collaborates on journals in partnership with publishers associated with Institute of Physics Publishing, Wiley-Blackwell, Elsevier, Springer Nature, and Cambridge University Press. Its prize structure echoes awards such as the Guggenheim Fellowship-style recognitions and national medals awarded by Royal Society, Royal Medal (Royal Society), and discipline prizes from Institute of Physics. Awards celebrate contributions by researchers from University of Glasgow, University of York, University of St Andrews, University of Kent, and industrial innovators from AstraZeneca and GlaxoSmithKline. The Society curates bibliographies and proceedings that appear alongside work in journals like Rheologica Acta, Journal of Rheology, Journal of Non-Newtonian Fluid Mechanics, Polymer, and Macromolecules.
Membership and Community Outreach
Membership draws academics, postgraduate researchers, and industry staff from University of Oxford, Imperial College London, University of Cambridge, University of Manchester, and University of Leeds as well as engineers from Rolls-Royce Holdings, Siemens, Arup Group, BAE Systems, McLaren Group, and Tata Steel. Outreach initiatives partner with museums and centers such as Science Museum, London, Natural History Museum, London, Royal Institution, Institute of Physics local sections, and educational projects at Wellcome Trust and British Science Association. The Society supports early-career networks similar to those hosted by EPSRC Doctoral Training Partnership consortia and collaborates with industrial apprenticeships and innovation hubs at Catapult centres and Knowledge Transfer Partnerships.
Research and Educational Contributions
The Society fosters research across polymer physics themes common to groups at University of Sheffield, University of Manchester, University of Nottingham, University of Leeds, and University of Bristol, and interdisciplinary topics intersecting with chemical engineering groups at Imperial College London and University College London. Collaborative projects link to facilities like Diamond Light Source, ISIS neutron source, European Synchrotron Radiation Facility, and computational hubs at ARCHER (supercomputer), PRACE, and national supercomputing services. Educational efforts include summer schools, short courses, and webinar series modeled after programs run by Society of Rheology (USA), European Society of Rheology, Institute of Physics, and Royal Society training grants, supporting trainees from institutions such as University of Strathclyde, Queen's University Belfast, University of Ulster, and Trinity College Dublin. The Society's influence is evident in collaborations with standards bodies like British Standards Institution and in interdisciplinary applications ranging from biomedical devices at University College London Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust to materials innovation in collaborations with National Physical Laboratory (United Kingdom) and industrial partners.