Joel Crewe

Unilever Scholarship in Chemistry

Joining us from: Surrey, UK

DPhil in Chemistry (2025)

I am a DPhil student in Chemistry, working at the intersection of machine learning and materials chemistry. My research focuses on amorphous catalysts, with the aim of understanding how atomic-scale structure influences catalytic activity in disordered materials. Unlike crystalline systems, amorphous catalysts lack long-range order, making their structure–activity relationships particularly challenging to unravel. By combining atomistic simulations with machine-learned interatomic potentials, I seek to uncover the mechanisms underlying catalytic performance and contribute to the rational design of improved catalysts for reactions central to sustainable energy, such as hydrogen evolution.

Prior to starting my DPhil, I studied Physics and Chemistry at Durham University, followed by Theoretical and Computational Chemistry at Balliol College, Oxford. Outside research, I row for Wolfson College Boat Club and enjoy windsurfing at Farmoor Reservoir. I am also passionate about travelling, especially when it involves surfing or mountain biking.

I am grateful for the support of the Unilever Scholarship, which enables my research and allows me to take full advantage of the academic and wider opportunities at Oxford. In particular, I am looking forward to many more summers cycling around the Oxfordshire Countryside