Professor James Busfield FREng CEng FIMMM awarded IRCO Medal

The International Rubber Conference Organisation (IRCO) Medal is awarded in recognition of outstanding service to International Rubber Conferences worldwide.

The medal was presented by Michael Clayton, Executive Chairman of IRCO, during IRC 2026 in Aichi, Japan.

The IRCO Medal recognises individuals who have made an outstanding contribution to International Rubber Conferences, which bring together the global rubber science and technology community.

James Busfield is Professor of Materials, Deputy Head of School and Director of Strategy at Queen Mary University of London, where his research focuses on the physical behaviour of polymers and soft matter, including elastomers and rubber materials.

An IOM3 Fellow, James Busfield has held a leadership role within the IOM3 Elastomer Group since 1995 and is currently its Chair. During this time, he has helped organise more than 100 discussion meetings and conferences for the rubber community, including chairing the International Rubber Conference 2019 in London, RubberCon 2014 in Manchester and RubberCon 2023 in Edinburgh.

James Busfield has also served as the UK's national representative to IRCO since 2013. His contribution to the materials community has previously been recognised with several awards, including the IOM3 T B Marsden Professional Medal in 2024 and the IOM3 Colwyn Medal in 2009.

The latest award further recognises his longstanding contribution to the international rubber community and his work supporting collaboration and knowledge exchange through conferences.