Multidisciplinary Science and Academic Collaborations Empowered by Photochemistry Societies and Conferences

Abstract

Photochemistry begins with light absorption by molecules and nanomaterials like semiconductor quantum dots and plasmonic metal nanoparticles, leading to electronic excitation or promotion of electrons to higher energy levels. The electronic excitation follows a series of photophysical and photochemical processes, such as energy transfer, electron transfer, and chemical reactions, which play crucial roles in multidisciplinary science by bridging the gap between various fields and facilitating interdisciplinary research collaborations. Its impact extends across diverse domains, including chemistry, physics, biology, materials science, environmental science, medicine, and engineering. Therefore, photochemistry is a central science that bridges the gap between different disciplines and nurtures researchers and programs in basic science and emergent technologies. Indeed, photochemistry society meetings play a crucial role as primary platforms for facilitating the exchange of ideas, fostering national and international academic interactions, and promoting research collaborations. These societies are catalysts for attracting young talents to physical sciences, interdisciplinary sciences, and technologies. Recent photochemistry society meetings, including the 2022 IUPAC Symposium on Photochemistry (28^th PhotoIUPAC), the 2023 International Conference on Photochemistry (ICP2023), the 2023 Annual Meeting of the Japanese Photochemistry Association (JPA), the 2023 Asian Photochemistry Conference (12^th APC), and the 2024 Inter-American Photochemistry Association (I-APS), serve as pivotal platforms for fostering international academic networks and advancing multidisciplinary science. This article delves into the contributions of these conferences, with a particular focus on the ICP, JPA, and APC meetings. Additionally, it provides insights into my experiences with the JPA, offering guidance to foreign newcomers navigating the Japanese academic landscape.