We invite leading scholars and industry leaders to Seattle throughout the year to share their knowledge and expertise. UW ChemE's seminars, lectures, and symposia represent an essential component of our vibrant academic culture, and they provide students with outstanding opportunities to interact with professionals in many fields.

Department Seminar Series

* Due to COVID-19, we are not holding seminars in the Spring 2020 quarter *

The Department Seminar Series brings in a variety of academic and industrial professionals to give presentations on their areas of research and expertise. Held during the autumn, winter, and spring quarters, these free lectures take place on Mondays from 4 to 5 p.m., unless otherwise indicated.

Chair's Distinguished Lecture

This annual event brings the world's most influential and accomplished chemical engineers to the University of Washington.

* The spring 2020 event is postponed due to COVID-19 *

Past lecturers include Dr. Gregory Stephanopoulos, W. H. Dow Professor of Chemical Engineering and Biotechnology at MIT, and Dr. Sang Yup Lee, Distinguished Professor at the Department of Chemical and Biomolecular Engineering and Dean of the Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST) Institutes.

Distinguished Young Scholars Seminar Series >>

Graduate students and postdocs from around the nation come to Seattle in the summer to present their research at this weekly lecture series on the UW campus.

Leadership Seminar Series >>

Since 2011, the UW ChemE Leadership Seminars in the fall have provided a forum for industrial, academic and government leaders to share their background and insights with undergraduate and graduate students. They give speakers and students a unique opportunity to discuss topics related to leadership in chemical engineering professions, including career planning, management skills, interpersonal skills, entrepreneurship, ethics and strategic decision-making.

Graduate Student Symposium >>

The Chemical Engineering Graduate Student Symposium bridges the gap between industry and academia. Held in the autumn quarter, it provides graduate students the opportunity to present their work to representatives from industry and gives industry representatives a chance to meet future research leaders and learn about the exciting work being done at UW.

Bruce A. Finlayson Lectures >>

The lectures, named in honor of Rehnberg Professor Emeritus of Chemical Engineering Bruce A. Finlayson, are held each spring and feature chemical engineers who demonstrate exceptional scholarship, teaching, and service in their field. The inaugural Bruce A. Finlayson Lectures were held in 2013.