How are computers changing the way scientists understand the materials that make up the world around us? From the metals used in transport and energy technologies to the materials that underpin everyday products, understanding how materials behave is essential to developing new technologies and solving some of society’s biggest challenges.
As science becomes increasingly digital, researchers are using computational modelling and other digital tools alongside traditional experiments to explore materials in new ways. These approaches can help scientists understand how materials behave, predict their properties and investigate how they could be improved for different applications, thus potentially making the process of developing new materials faster and more efficient.
Event Overview
The Henry Royce Institute will host Evening Talks: Computational Material Science, an event which will explore the latest developments in computational materials science and its applications across metallurgy, modelling and materials research.
During this evening talk, three leading materials scientists will discuss how computational approaches are changing the way materials research is conducted. Through a series of accessible talks, the audience will get an insight into some of the fascinating research taking place in this rapidly developing area, exploring the role of computational approaches in advancing our understanding of materials.
Following the talks, attendees will be invited to continue the conversation over pizza and refreshments, with an opportunity to ask questions and speak directly with the speakers.
Attendance is free, but registration is required. Tickets are available here.
Speaker Backgrounds
Dr Joseph Prentice
Joe is Lecturer in Materials Modelling in the Department of Materials at the University of Manchester, joining in January 2025. Prior to this, he spent 5 years at the University of Oxford as the Cooksey Early Career Teaching and Research Fellow in Materials Science and Stipendiary Lecturer at St Edmund Hall, and as a postdoc in the group of Prof Rebecca Nicholls. From 2017-2019, he was a postdoc at Imperial College London, jointly affiliated with the groups of Prof Arash Mostofi and Prof Peter Haynes, and with the Departments of Materials and Physics.
Joe obtained his PhD in Theoretical Condensed Matter Physics from the University of Cambridge in 2017, supervised by Prof Richard Needs. His thesis, entitled ‘Investigating anharmonic effects in condensed matter systems‘, won the 2018 Institute of Physics Theory of Condensed Matter Group “Sam Edwards” Thesis Prize. Prior to this, he obtained his MPhys in Physics from the University of Oxford (University College) in 2014.
Prof João Quinta Da Fonseca
Professor João Quinta da Fonseca completed his PhD on the mechanical behaviour of high volume fraction MMCs at the University of Leeds, before moving to the University of Manchester, where he is currently Professor of Mechanical Metallurgy.
He is a member of the Metallurgy and Corrosion Research Group and a member of the Centre for Light Alloy Research and Innovation (CLARI). Much of this research work is funded by industrial collaborators from the aerospace, energy and automotive sectors. Current industrial collaborators include Novelis, Constelium, Rolls-Royce, Wood and Airbus.
At the University of Manchester, Prof. Fonseca is EDIA lead for the department of Materials. Prof. Fonseca is also a research area lead for Modelling and AI at the Henry Royce Institute and a member of the International scientific committee of ICOTOM, the international texture of materials conference.
Audience
The event is designed to be accessible to a broad audience and is open to all backgrounds. No prior knowledge in material science is required to attend. Children (below the age of 18) must be accompanied by an adult. If you’re someone with an interest in science and technology or are simply curious about how modern research is changing, the event offers an opportunity to discover how digital tools are opening up new possibilities for materials innovation.
Provisional Programme
15:45-16:00 – Arrival and Registration
16:00-16:05 – Welcome and Overview
16:05-16:25 – Dr Joseph Prentice
16:25-16:45 – Prof João Quinta Da Fonseca
16:45-17:25 – TBC
17:25-18:00 – Pizza and Refreshments
Organisers
- Chair, TBC
- Tom Hancocks, Host, Training & Skills Manager, Henry Royce Institute
- Dr Ruby Morel, Organiser, National Outreach Officer, Henry Royce Institute
Event Location
Royce Hub Building
University of Manchester
Oxford Road
Manchester
M13 9PL
On arrival, please check in with the team at the Royce Reception desk.
Royce Support
This is a free evening talk series run by the Henry Royce Institute. Travel and accommodation are not provided. Please contact outreach@royce.ac.uk if you have accessibility requirements or caring responsibilities that Royce might be able to assist with.
September 2 2026
