11th Catalysis and Sensing for Our Environment Symposium and Networking Event (CASE2026)
7-20 June 2026
The 11th Catalysis and Sensing for Our Environment Symposium and Networking Event (CASE2026) is an international symposium bringing together leading researchers, early-career scientists working at the intersection of synthetic chemistry, catalysis, sensing technologies, in order to deliver environmental innovation.
CASE2026 highlights how advances in synthetic chemistry—from functional materials and molecular design to scalable catalytic systems—are driving next-generation solutions for environmental monitoring, remediation, and sustainability. The symposium’s unique multi-campus format across Asia promotes deep scientific exchange, institutional engagement, and long-term international collaboration.
History of Catalysis and Sensing for our Environment (CASE)
The Catalysis and Sensing for our Environment (CASE) group was established in 2008 by UK academics the late John S. Fossey (who sadly passed away in 2022), Steven D. Bull, and Tony D. James. Conceived as a dedicated forum to promote collaborative research and the exchange of ideas within molecular recognition, CASE has maintained a particular emphasis on catalysis and sensing from its inception. Professor Fossey was one of the principal driving forces behind the CASE Network. His vision was to create an international yet close-knit scientific community in which open discussion, mutual support, and intellectual generosity would underpin academic excellence. In 2024, the 10th CASE symposium was held in Japan (5–12 April), an event long envisioned by John and hosted in a country of deep personal and professional significance to him. The meeting coincided with a special Research Topic assembled in collaboration with Frontiers in Chemistry in his memory, honouring his enduring contributions to the field and to the CASE community.
On 12 April 2024 at the University of Tokyo, Professor Yun-Bao Jiang (Xiamen University) was awarded the inaugural John S. Fossey CASE Award, presented by Professor Shū Kobayashi (University of Tokyo). This distinction recognises outstanding contributions to the CASE community and commemorates John’s legacy of excellence, generosity, and global scientific partnership.
Since its formation, the CASE Symposium has developed into a significant international conference series addressing critical challenges in catalysis and environmental sensing. Meetings have been hosted in the United Kingdom, Ireland, the United States, China, Japan, and elsewhere across Asia, strengthening global collaboration and advancing innovation in environmentally relevant science.
Looking ahead, CASE 2026 represents a further expansion of the network’s international character, with the symposium organised across multiple locations in Asia under the leadership of Professor Tony D. James and an international organising committee including Nantanit Wanichacheva, Yun-Bao Jiang, Xin Wu, Xuhong Qian, Haibo Yang, Yufang Xu, Yu Fang, Junwu Zhao, and Xiaolong Sun.
The 2026 programme will commence in Bangkok, Thailand, with a symposium hosted at Silpakorn University, followed by cultural engagement including a visit to the Thai Parliament. The meeting will then proceed to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, for a symposium at Xiamen University Malaysia. The programme continues in Shanghai, China, at East China Normal University, before concluding in Xi’an, China, with a final symposium at Xi’an Jiaotong University.
This multi-national format reflects CASE’s enduring commitment to international partnership, interdisciplinary exchange, and the integration of scientific dialogue with cultural understanding. Each symposium contributes to the development of environmentally relevant solutions, highlighting the central role of organic chemistry while embracing diverse scientific perspectives. Over time, CASE has evolved beyond a conference series to become a vibrant international scientific community united by shared purpose and long-standing collaboration.
The 2026 John S. Fossey CASE Awards will be presented in Bangkok, Thailand, during the opening stage of CASE 2026. The awards will honour Professors A. P. de Silva (Queens University Belfast) and Steven D. Bull (University of Leicester) in recognition of their outstanding contributions to molecular recognition, catalysis and sensing, and for their longstanding commitment to the CASE community. The presentation in Bangkok reflects both the international scope of the network and its continuing dedication to celebrating scientific excellence in the spirit of John’s legacy.
Chronology of the Catalysis and Sensing for our Environment (CASE) Symposia:
1st CASE – 2008
University of Bath, United Kingdom
2nd CASE – 2009
East China University of Science and Technology, China
3rd CASE – 2011
University of Birmingham, United Kingdom
4th CASE – 2012
Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, China
5th CASE – 2013
University of Texas at Austin, United States
6th CASE – 2014
Xiamen University, China
Conference report: https://doi.org/10.1039/C4QO90045F
7th CASE – 2015
Trinity College Dublin / Royal College of Surgeons in Ireland, Ireland
Inaugural CASE Awards presented to Xuhong Qian and Tony D. James.
Conference report: https://doi.org/10.1080/10610278.2016.1150595
8th CASE – 2017
Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, China
CASE Awards presented to Shuli You and Jonathan L. Sessler.
9th CASE – 2019
Northwest A&F University, China
10th CASE – 2024 (Japan)
Hosted across multiple institutions:
The University of Kitakyushu
Osaka University
Tokyo Metropolitan University
International Center for Materials Nanoarchitectonics
University of Tokyo (Local Organiser)
John S. Fossey CASE Award presented to Yun-Bao Jiang.
Conference Research Topic: https://doi.org/10.3389/fchem.2025.1660145
11th CASE – 2026 (Thailand, Malaysia, China)
Hosted across institutions in Bangkok, Kuala Lumpur, Shanghai, and Xi’an.
John S. Fossey CASE Awards to A. P. de Silva and Steven D. Bull.
Programme
CASE 2026: Organized by Professor Tony D. James, Nantanit Wanichacheva, Yun-Bao Jiang, Xin Wu, Xuhong Qian, Haibo Yang, Yufang Xu, Yu Fang, Junwu Zhao & Xiaolong Sun.
Bangkok: Organized by Professor Nantanit Wanichacheva
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7 June 2026 – Arrival and Welcome Reception
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8 June 2026 – Symposium at Silpakorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
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9 June 2026 – Cultural Activities, including a visit to the Thai Parliament
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10 June 2026 – Excursion to Ayutthaya
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11 June 2026 – Travel to Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
Download Programme and Abstracts for Bangkok
Kuala Lumpur: Organized by Professors Yun-Bao Jiang & Xin Wu
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12 June 2026 – Symposium at Xiamen University Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia. Programme and Abstracts for Malaysia
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13 June 2026 – Cultural Activities
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14 June 2026 – Travel to Shanghai, China
Shanghai: Organized by Professors Xuhong Qian & Haibo Yang
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15 June 2026 – Symposium at East China Normal University (ECNU), Shanghai, China. Programme and Abstracts for Shanghai
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16 June 2026 – Cultural Activities
Xi'an: Organized by Yu Fang, Junwu Zhao & Xiaolong Sun
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17 June 2026 – Travel to Xi’an, China
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18 June 2026 – Symposium at Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), Xi’an, China. Programme and Abstracts for Xi'an
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19 June 2026 – Cultural Activities
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20 June 2026 – Departure
Speakers
• Steven D. Bull — University of Leicester, United Kingdom
• Thanthapatra Bunchuay — Mahidol University, Thailand
• Jamie A. Cadge — University of Bath, United Kingdom
• Kanokwan Charoenkitamorn — Silpakorn University
• Gan We Chen — Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
• Alexander Cresswell — University of Bath, United Kingdom
• Guang Chen — Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, China
• A. P. De Silva — Queen’s University Belfast, United Kingdom
• Yu Fang — Shanxi Normal University, China
• Micha Fridman — Tel Aviv University, Israel
• Philip A. Gale — University of Groningen, Netherlands
• Yuan Guo — Northwest University, China
• Gang He — Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), China
• Yang Haibo — East China Normal University (ECNU), China
• Jonathan P. Hill — National Institute for Materials Science (NIMS), Japan
• Tony D. James — University of Bath, United Kingdom
• Tao Jiang — Xiamen University, China
• Yun-Bao Jiang — Xiamen University, China
• Anyanee Kamkaew — Suranaree University of Technology, Thailand
• Kazuya Kikuchi — Osaka University, Japan
• Jinxuan Liu — Dalian University of Technology
• Taihong Liu — Shaanxi Normal University, China
• David Margulies — Weizmann Institute of Science, Israel
• Tsuyoshi Minami — University of Tokyo, Japan
• Zhichao Pei — Northwest A&F University, China
• Yuxin Pei -— Northwest A&F University, China
• Vinich Promarak — Vidyasirimedhi Institute of Science and Technology, Thailand
• Taotao Qian — Shaanxi University of Science and Technology, China
• Xuhong Qian — East China Normal University (ECNU), China
• Jitnapa Sirirak — Silpakorn University, Thailand
• Xiaolong Sun — Xi’an Jiaotong University (XJTU), China
• Tan Swee Tiam — Xiamen University Malaysia, Malaysia
• Nantanit Wanichacheva — Silpakorn University, Thailand
• Sander Wezenberg — Leiden Institute of Chemistry, Netherlands
• Dan Wu — Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland (RCSI)
• Xin Wu — Xiamen University, China
• Lin Xu — East China Normal University (ECNU), China
• Yufang Xu — East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), China
• Xiaosheng Yan — Xiamen University, China
• Youjun Yang — East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), China