News
The HI‑ACT community came together in Durham on 9-10 June for our All‑Hands Meeting, two days filled with insight, connection, and shared ambition for the future of hydrogen research in the UK. Hosted at Durham University Business School, the event brought colleagues from across the Hub and beyond to reflect on progress, exchange ideas, and strengthen partnerships across our growing network.
Day 1: Setting the Scene and Sharing Progress
The meeting opened with a welcome and programme update from Director Sara Walker, setting a positive tone for the discussions ahead. We were pleased to hear a keynote from Dr Emma Guthrie (Hydrogen Energy Association), who shared insights from The State of the Hydrogen Nation report a timely overview of the sector’s direction and opportunities.
A lively panel discussion followed, featuring Emma Guthrie, Sube Singh, Dawei Wu, Merlinda Andoni, and chaired by David Flynn. The conversation explored the challenges and momentum across the hydrogen landscape, sparking thoughtful contributions from the room.
The afternoon focused on interactive work package spotlights, with sessions led by Yusuf Nadabo Chanchangi, Paul Dodds, Jana Fakhreddine, Shuai Yao, Clara Crivellaro, and Adam Parnaby. These workshops gave colleagues the chance to dive deeper into current research, share emerging findings, and identify opportunities for collaboration.
We closed Day 1 with an update from Meysam Qadrdan, who presented the latest developments from the RESP project, a valuable look at the progress being made across this important area of work.
With Durham providing a beautiful backdrop, the first day offered a welcome opportunity to reconnect and look ahead to the conversations planned for Day 2.
Day 2: Strengthening Partnerships and Looking to the Future
Day 2 began with another warm welcome from Sara Walker, who introduced a programme centred on partnership, progress, and the evolving hydrogen research landscape.
We were delighted to hear from Professor Rachael Rothman, who provided an introduction to UK‑HyRES, followed by Sibimol Luke sharing updates on ECR activity. Their talks set the stage for a rich panel discussion on collaboration between HI‑ACT and UK‑HyRES, featuring Rachael Rothman, Sibimol Luke, Yiji, and Adib. The session highlighted the strong alignment between the two hubs and the shared opportunities ahead.
The morning continued with two insightful briefings: Paul Dodds explored recent UK policy developments and their implications for hydrogen research. David Flynn and David Pollock discussed industry engagement and strategies for securing leverage across the sector. These sessions underscored both the momentum HI-ACT has built and the potential for deeper engagement with partners across academia, industry and policy.
The event concluded with our Celebrating Success session – a moment to recognise the outstanding achievements across the Hub and the people driving them forward.
A Standout Event for the HI‑ACT Community
Across both days the discussions, workshops, and shared reflections demonstrated the strength of our community and the value of bringing people together to shape the future of hydrogen research.
A heartfelt thank you to everyone who joined us, presented, facilitated, and contributed to such a productive and inspiring two days. We leave Durham excited for the work ahead.
