The University of Oxford hosted the inaugural Annual John Goodenough Lecture at St Catherine’s College on 3 December 2025, celebrating pioneering contributions to energy storage and the global energy transition. The event was organised by the ZERO Institute, in partnership with the Departments of Engineering Science, Materials, Chemistry, and the School of Geography and the Environment, alongside St Catherine’s College.
Professor Stan Whittingham, Nobel Laureate and alumnus of New College, delivered the lecture to an audience of over 250 attendees, with 45 more following on line.
His talk “The first half century of lithium batteries and the challenges facing us in moving forward” spanned the origins of the lithium-ion battery and explored its transformative role in enabling a sustainable energy future. Prof Whittingham’s insights offered inspiration to researchers and particularly to the large community of early-career scientists in attendance.
The video recording of Professor Whittingham’s lecture and of the other key addresses of the evening is now available to the public through this link.
The lecture began with a formal academic procession led by the Vice-Chancellor, University Assessor, Bedel, and the Master of St Catherine’s College, underscoring the significance of the occasion. In her opening address, the Vice Chancellor Professor Irene Tracey retraced the arc of Stan Whittingham’s groundbreaking research, which with further work by John Goodenough and Akira Yoshino, culminated in the commercial lithium-ion battery that powers our modern world. She added:
“Built on these foundations, Oxford University remains home to world leading research in battery energy storage, where we are truly standing on the shoulders of giants. From decarbonising transport to deploying large scale renewable energy, the future, zero carbon energy system will rely on energy storage.”
Professor Peter Bruce, Wolfson Chair and Professor of Materials, offered closing remarks highlighting the genius of Stan Whittigham’s research, bringing solid-state chemistry and intercalation chemistry into the battery world, and the great impact that those have had in shaping technology and our lives, from the mobile communications revolution, to portable computers, to satellite communications.
Reflecting on the event, Prof Paul Shearing, Director of the ZERO Institute, said:
“Prof Whittingham’s work over many decades has continued to push the boundaries of energy storage – from the fundamental discoveries of intercalation chemistry that launched the lithium-ion battery to their widespread modern deployment. Stan’s work serves as an inspiration to us all.”
The John Goodenough Lecture will now be an annual fixture in Oxford’s academic calendar, honouring the legacy of innovation in energy storage. The organizers expressed their gratitude to the Vice Chancellor and the Master of St Catherine’s College for their support in making this landmark event possible.
