The University of Bristol has just announced new research scholarships as part of its Think Big scholarship scheme. The new Think Big for Researchers scheme is for international students studying a master’s by research degree.

Think Big about Research will include a scholarship towards your first year’s tuition fees as well as a place on the Think Big Development Programme.

For students starting in September 2026, there are 10 awards available: 5 awards of £13,000 for the first year of study and 5 awards of £6,500 for the first year of study. Please check the eligibility criteria carefully! You can apply if you have applied to any full-time master’s by research programme delivered in person at the University of Bristol and are classed as an overseas student for fee-paying purposes.

If you are interested to join the Faul Research Group and keen to apply for one of these scholarships, then please contact Prof. Faul by email. Please include two academic letters of references and a one-page CV with your email to be considered.

Charl recently attended the International Conference on Advanced Fibres and Polymer Materials (ICAFPM2025) in Shanghai, organised by former group member Prof Yaozu Liao (Executive Dean of the College of Materials Science & Engineering at Donghua University) and the State Key Laboratory for Advanced Fibers (lead by Prof Meifang Zhu).

It was an opportunity to meet with many researchers and senior colleagues from across the world to share results from the FRG and to discuss how we can help to provide solutions to global grand challenges. Thank you to the organisers (for the kind invitation to contribute – and what a privilege to say a few words of welcome to the 3000 attendees!).

An important milestone reached for FRG member Ulzhalgas (Ulia) Karatayeva – passed her viva with flying colours on Sep 11th!

Many congratulations to Dr Ulia, and well done for the fantastic job, and excellent research output focussed on the capture and conversion of CO₂ to useful fuels and feedstocks!

Thank you to external examiner Prof. Deepa Khushalani, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, and internal examiner, Dr Avinash Patil!

Charl is enjoying being back in Beijing again. ChinaNano is a great meeting, and an opportunity to showcase research from the group in an invited talk – and also to see many friends, including Prof Kun Liu from Jilin University, Changchun!

Charl is back in China, attending two conferences to speak about the groups work. The first is in Enshi, in a beautiful part of China, close to Chengdu – POPs 2025!

After Enshi, Charl will be heading to Jilin University (JLU) in Changchun and then to ChinaNano 2025 in Beijing. JLU is a close partner of the University of Bristol, and the School of Chemistry, and sent almost 40 students to Bristol for the advanced chemistry summer school!

Great to have Prof. Will Dichtel visiting Bristol. Will is the Timms Lecturer 2025 as part of our annual flagship materials chemistry symposium, the Timms Symposium (where Ulia gave an oral presentation, and most of the group presented posters!).

Will spent all of Tuesday afternoon with the group (chatting to most members individually!). Great afternoon to share, and a fantastic Timms Lecture yesterday!

Thank you Will!

PhD student, Junru Chen, who started in October last year, gave his first presentation at an emPOWER project meeting on Monday, updating all on his progress related to bio-adhesives for artificial muscle applications!

Congratulations to Dr Yubing Wang (former group member) who passed her viva on February 27th at Xi’an Jiaotong University! Her research focused on the design and applications of conjugated microporous polymers in the removal of heavy metal pollution in wastewater.

Well done, Dr Yubing!

As the academic year wraps up, our final-year research project students have recently presented their hard work from the past few months. Well done to all, and congratulations from the entire group!

To celebrate their success, the group enjoyed a well-deserved gathering at Pizza-on-the-Park!