Previewing Spring SciX 2026

The analytical chemistry and spectroscopy community will gather at the University of Exeter from April 14–16 for Spring SciX 2026, the latest edition of the United Kingdom (UK)-based offshoot of the long-running SciX conference series.¹ Originally launched in 2018, Spring SciX is a biennial meeting covering a wide range of analytical chemistry research.¹ The 2026 event marks the conference's return to England's southwest, bringing together academic researchers, industry exhibitors, and instrument manufacturers over three days.

What topics will be covered at Spring SciX?

The conference will span topics including molecular spectroscopy, Raman spectroscopy, mass spectrometry (MS), infrared (IR) spectroscopy, surface plasmon resonance, process analytical chemistry, fluorescence, and bioanalytical and biomedical sciences.² The event is structured around 11 dedicated technical sessions, including a new "AI in analytical chemistry" track, reflecting the growing influence of machine learning and data-driven methods across the discipline.^1,2 AI is a trending topic in scientific research, and it has advanced rapidly over the past few years. Because of its growing influence in scientific research, AI is now a central concern for academic researchers, instrument manufacturers, and industrial chemists.

What speakers are confirmed for Spring SciX?

As of this writing, there are currently three plenary speakers confirmed: Thomas Bocklitz of Friedrich Schiller University Jena; Sarah Bohndiek of the University of Cambridge; and Bernard Lendl of TU Wien.² Bocklitz is a researcher whose work has been focused on applying machine learning to spectroscopic data. Bohndiek currently leads research in cancer imaging and photonics. And Lendl is known for his work in IR laser spectroscopy and process analytics.²

Apart from talks from established researchers, the Spring SciX program is set to feature early career researchers as well as part of their focus on establishing career mentoring pathways.² The conference includes oral and poster presentation opportunities with the stated aim of establishing career mentoring pathways.³

What topics will be discussed at Spring SciX?

The Spring SciX team currently has 11 sessions listed on their website: AI in analytical chemistry; clinical spectroscopy and biomedical imaging, non-linear optical spectroscopy; emerging technologies; advances in biological mass spectrometry; plasmonics and nanomaterials; IRDG Martin & Willis; frontiers in IR; handheld spectroscopy; process analytical control; and biomedical Raman imaging 2026.²

Currently, conference registration is open via the University of Exeter's online store. Early career researchers are priced at £300 and established researchers, which is defined as those 10 or more years post-PhD, at £400, with registration closing on April 6^th 2026.¹

The eleven sessions scheduled cover both established subdisciplines and emerging application areas: clinical spectroscopy and biomedical imaging, non-linear optical spectroscopy, advances in biological mass spectrometry, plasmonics and nanomaterials, handheld spectroscopy, process analytical control, and biomedical Raman imaging are all on the program.² At the conference, there will also be a session sponsored by the Infrared and Raman Discussion Group (IRDG). It is called the Martin & Willis Prize session.

For instrument vendors and industry sponsors, the conference offers exhibition floor access alongside technical sessions. Gold sponsors for the 2026 event include Wasatch Photonics and Renishaw, which are two instrument manufacturing companies. This pairing underscores the commercial relevance of the spectroscopy-heavy program.^2,3

Where does Spring SciX fit in among the broader SciX Conference series?

The broader SciX series is an annual conference presented by the Federation of Analytical Chemistry and Spectroscopy Societies (FACSS), covering analytical chemistry and allied sciences.^2,4 The Spring SciX offshoot was established to bring the series' format to European audiences on a biennial basis, offering a more accessible alternative for researchers who may not travel to the North American flagship event.

The Exeter meeting provides one of the few dedicated forums where spectroscopy, MS, and emerging sensing technologies are addressed under a single program. The 2026 program signals that the field is actively grappling with how algorithmic methods are reshaping instrument design, data interpretation, and clinical translation.¹

References

1. University of Exeter, Spring SciX 2026. Exeter.edu. Available at: https://store.exeter.ac.uk/conferences-and-events/faculty-of-environment-science-and-economy/physics-and-astronomy/spring-scix-2026 (accessed 2026-03-16).
2. Spring SciX, Spring SciX 2026 will take place at the University of Exeter, April 14-16, 2026. Spring SciX. Available at: https://springscix.org/Information/At-a-Glance (accessed 2026-03-16)
3. Wasatch Photonics, Spring SciX – Gold Sponsor. Wasatch Photonics. Available at: https://wasatchphotonics.com/spring-scix/ (accessed 2026-03-16).
4. SciX Conference, Homepage. SciX Conference. Available at: https://scixconference.org/ (accessed 2026-03-16).