About

The British Crystallographic Association, formed in 1982 is the UK national association for this important science.

Crystallography is a vital part of much modern research into the structure and properties of materials ranging across the scientific fields of Chemistry, Biology, Physics, Materials science and Engineering.

With over 600 members representing the huge academic and industrial effort in crystallography in this country, the BCA has as its prime aims the promotion of crystallography in research and the education of young people and others in the methods, possibilities and achievements of crystallographic science.

The four subject based groups within the association: biological structures; chemical crystallography; industrial applications & physical crystallography – represent the more specialist research areas, and the interdisciplinary young crystallographers group encourages a strong interaction and exchange of ideas among post-graduate students and members by organising regular meetings. Many meetings, workshops and schools are organised by the BCA groups, contributing to the dissemination of crystallographic knowledge and education.

The BCA can award Honorary Life Membership to crystallographers who have made significant contributions to the field and to the BCA.

Many of the crystallographic pioneers worked in the UK including the Braggs – father and son – Wilkins, Perutz, Hodgkin, Kendrew & Klug. Currently, there is huge UK crystallographic activity contributing to research in virology, structural gemomics, cancer research, enzymology, pharmaceutucals, superconductors, semiconductors, magnetic materials, laser materials, polymers, battery and fuel cell materials, zeolites, materials under stress and many other areas.