Scientific Update was established in 1989 by Dr. Trevor Laird to organise conferences and training courses for industrial chemists and chemical engineers in chemical development and scale-up and many other specialist topics in organic chemistry. We also provide extensive consultancy services in these fields and act on the Editorial Advisory Board for the international scientific journal entitled Organic Process Research and Development (OPRD).
Scientific Update has a dedicated team of organic chemists and event specialists with collectively over 60 years of experience organising scientific training courses and conferences for industrial chemists worldwide.
Our short intensive training courses enable scientists to learn about highly relevant topics, to broaden their knowledge and to keep abreast of new science, new technology and new techniques. A complete list of the scheduled training courses currently available can be viewed in the training section. Many of these are also available for in-house training.
Our specialist conferences provide the perfect forum for organic process chemists and chemical engineers to network with experts from industry and academia from all over the world.
Evolution of Scientific Update
2023
Scientific Update celebrate 50th OPR&D Conference in Barcelona
2022
Scientific Update move out of Mayfield into a new office in Crowborough
Ben Littler joins Scientific Update as Technical Associate North America and Asia Pacific
Will retires and has one of his leaving parties in New Orleans
2020
On-Line training is launched
2019
30th Anniversary
2018
John Studley joins Scientific Update as Scientific Director
Debbie Reeve retired
2017
Scientific Update rebrand and launch of new website
2016
Claire becomes a member of the ACS Journal OPR&D Editorial Advisory Board
2015
Popular Chemical Development Course is accredited through the Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
Scientific Update changes business entity and becomes Scientific Update Ltd with 4 Directors; Claire, Debbie, Hannah and Will
2014
Celebrations to mark our 25th Anniversary
2013
Bert Hulshoff published 'Right First Time in Fine Chemical Process Scale Up' with Scientific Update
2011
Scientific Update chosen to organise the 10th Winter Conference on Medicinal & Bioorganic Chemistry in Steamboat Springs, CO
2010
Scientific Update launch new Webinar training programme
2002
Scale Up Conference in Jersey achieves record attendance at 280 people
2000
Queen's Award for International Trade is presented to Scientific Update, with celebrations at Buckingham Palace
Scientific Update move offices - taking up residence in Maycroft Place
1997
1st 'Organic Process Research & Development' Conference is held in San Francisco
1996
Trevor Laird becomes founding Editor-in-Chief of first scientific journal dedicated to Process Chemistry 'Organic Process Research & Development' is launched as a joint venture between the American Chemical Society and Royal Society of Chemistry (RSC)
1994
1st Conference is held in Brighton - The Scale Up of Chemical Processes - attended by over 150 delegates
1989
Trevor Laird set up Scientific Update to provide training to process chemists in industry
Scientific Update becomes the first company to provide training to industrial organic chemists
In 2015, on the retirement of Trevor Laird, our management team Dr Will Watson, Dr Claire Francis, Mrs Debbie Reeve and Mrs Hannah May bought the company and established Scientific Update Ltd. Our aim is to provide you with the very best, up-to-date chemistry in a variety of attractive locations. At every event, Scientific Update provide the highest quality organisation and friendly support. We look forward to welcoming you to one of our events soon.
