Victoria Atkinson
Following on from two generations of chemists, perhaps my choice to pursue the same path was inevitable. My childhood was full of home experiments, from the classic bicarb volcano to growing copper sulphate crystals on the window ledge!
I studied chemistry at the University of Oxford and completed my fourth-year master’s project working on catalytic methodology with Darren Dixon (which excitingly led to my first publication). Having caught the research bug, I decided to continue on to do a PhD, this time joining Jeremy Robertson to work on a total synthesis project, employing enzymatic methodology to produce agrochemical products.
Towards the end of my PhD, I found that I was enjoying talking about science much more than actually doing it and I became heavily involved in science outreach. Here I could share my enthusiasm for science with younger students through practical workshops and school visits, something which I always found very fulfilling. Later, I focused on developing new outreach material and have since made the transition to science journalism.
ResearchFrustrated radical pairs cleave unactivated C–H bonds
New technique targets previously inaccessible bonds for selective C–H activation
- News
Two-year suspended prison sentence for irresponsible home chemist
Conviction follows discovery of explosive precursors that led to evacuation of homes in Yorkshire
- Research
Ice crystallisation initiated by ultrafast laser pulses caught on camera
Technique will aid understanding of early stages of water freezing
- News
First publisher abandons impractical elemental analysis standard as journals eye next move
Historical ±0.4% accuracy standard was discovered to have little evidence backing in 2022
- Research
First synthesis of unusual arsenic reagent reveals that it breaks periodic trend
Electron deficient arsenic intermediate challenges preconceptions of heavy main group elements
- Research
Single crystal solar material outperforms commercial x-ray detectors
Bismuth compound could reduce patients’ radiation exposure from repeat x-rays
- Research
Benzene’s forgotten isomer takes centre stage in organic synthesis
1,2,3-cyclohexatriene proves to be an unexpected hit as a reagent in a wide range of reactions
- Research
Redesigned biopolymer solves thermal stability challenge
Chemical redesign makes PHAs easier to process and recycle
- Research
Unexplained increases in five atmospheric CFCs raise concerns
Emissions increased 2.6-fold between 2010 and 2020
- Feature
The complex chemistry of making paper
Renewable, recyclable and biodegradable, paper is the ultimate sustainable material. Victoria Atkinson looks at the clever chemistry that turns trees into sheets
- News
Budget day strikes hit science facilities across the UK
Industrial action across the country saw research institutes forced to close or cut services
- Research
Polymer shows some backbone as it becomes first with extended metal spine
Construction process for 21-atom-long one-dimensional nickel wires could find use in nanoelectronics
- Research
Chemical analysis of Tartan questions cultural perceptions of 18th century Scotland
Anita Quye explains why the sciences and the humanities aren’t as disparate as we might think
- Research
’Photoredox catalysis goes asymmetric’: counterion strategy a breakthrough in reaction control
Ion-pairing enables chemists to reach previously inaccessible enantiomers
- Research
Streamlined synthesis of quinine showcases sustainable organic strategy
Five pot synthesis delivers highest yield of antimalarial to date
