IRDG, INFRARED and RAMAN DISCUSSION GROUP (www.IRDG.org)

Martin and Willis Student Meeting

The seventh in the series of IRDG Martin & Willis (M&W) Prize Award meetings was held at Queen’s University Belfast (Chemistry Department) on the 9^th September, 2004. This was followed by the 176^th IRDG meeting on the 10^th September, 2004. [Previous M&W Prize meetings have been held at Nottingham University (1994), Rutherford Appleton Laboratories (1995), Glaxo, Ware, (1996), Leeds University (1998), Sheffield-Hallam University (2000) and Strathclyde University (2002)].

The M&W meeting comprise up to 10 lectures of 20 minutes duration (15 minutes oral presentation + 5 minutes for questions), and a poster session. A panel appointed by the IRDG organising committee judged the presentations. There was an award (the M&W award prize) of £200. Awards of £60 and two of £30 each were also given for posters. These prizes are kindly sponsored by Andor Technology Ltd. and Avalon Instruments Ltd.

Vibrational spectroscopists below the age of 28 (in the current academic year, ending summer 2002) and of student status were invited to submit an abstract for either an oral or a poster presentation. Abstracts were on a single A4 sheet (typed) and RECEIVED BY 5^th July, 2004, FOR CONSIDERATION for presentation at this meeting. Early submission was strongly encouraged, with attendance by non-presenting students, and all IRDG members, at both the M&W day and the full IRDG meeting on 10^th September.

Various subsidies were available:- all students giving presentations received free registration and lunch at the M&W day (only one per poster), non-presenting students charged a cover fee of ~£20. All other attendees payed full cost. In addition for those presenters who also register for the IRDG meeting on 10^th September, bed and breakfast at the University was free (i.e. subsidised by the IRDG). ALL students were entitled (and encouraged) to attend the 10^th September IRDG meeting at half the standard cost (~£15 including lunch). Accompanying students (non-presenters) wishing to stay overnight were asked to pay an additional subsidised fee of ~£20. All other attendees payed the standard rate of ~£30 for the overnight accommodation.

The IRDG subsidised an evening meal and some liquid refreshment for the night of 10^th September for all those staying overnight. Mike George, IRDG Committee.