The Catalysis and Sensing for our Environment (CASE) group was founded in 2008 by UK academics John S. Fossey, Steven D. Bull, and Tony D. James. It emerged as a forum to foster cooperative research and exchange ideas in molecular recognition, focusing on catalysis and sensing. This close-knit group of researchers quickly recognized the value of the CASE meeting, seeing it as an opportunity to replicate the benefits of such a forum within a research conference context. They established a few guiding principles for the conference, notably that local organizers must ensure the symposium is free to attend to facilitate wide-ranging participation. This approach, where all presenters cover their own travel costs, has ensured that researchers are always eager to participate in CASE conferences due to the formula of free attendance and open discussion.

 

Following the inaugural meeting at Bath University in 2008, CASE meetings have been hosted by prestigious institutions around the world, including the East China University of Science and Technology (ECUST), the University of Birmingham, the Shanghai Institute of Organic Chemistry, and the University of Texas at Austin. In 2014, Professor Yun-Bao Jian of Xiamen University hosted the symposium, showcasing the picturesque campus and fostering further academic exchange. Subsequent meetings were held at Trinity College Dublin/Royal College of Surgeons, Ireland, and Shanghai Second Polytechnic University, China, with the pre-pandemic gathering in 2019 at Northwest A&F University in China.

 

The "Catalysis and Sensing for our Environment Symposium" (CASE) has since become a pivotal series of international gatherings that address key challenges in catalysis and environmental sensing. It has consistently served as a platform for scholarly exchange, innovation, and discussion on interdisciplinary approaches to environmental issues. Traversing continents from Europe to Asia and North America, CASE has enhanced its academic impact and fostered global collaborations.

 

Each symposium has contributed significantly to the development of environmental solutions, emphasizing the importance of organic chemistry, introducing diverse scientific perspectives, and highlighting the necessity of bridging research with practical applications. The meetings have evolved beyond a series of events into a thriving community committed to advancing scientific knowledge and addressing environmental challenges. The diverse venues reflect the global nature of these issues and the scientific community's commitment to collaboration and innovation.

 

As CASE looks to the future, it remains a testament to the collective effort in science for environmental betterment. The legacy of CASE is not just in the research presented or the discussions held but in the ongoing impact of these gatherings on the global pursuit of sustainable solutions to environmental challenges.