Dr Sophia van Mourik
Research Associate at the University of Manchester
Chemistry · Engineering · Materials
As a child, Sophia Van Mourik loved watching "How It's Made", and today her research allows her to ask those same questions about almost everything she picks up in the supermarket. From a fruit punnet to a shampoo bottle, she sees everyday plastics as the result of countless decisions about design, materials and manufacturing.
A sustainable materials researcher, Sophia studies the everyday plastics we rely on and how they can be given a second life. Her research interest spans both mechanical and chemical recycling technologies and covers a diverse range of materials, from household packaging to healthcare products. Through this work, she is helping to develop innovative solutions that keep materials in use for longer, reduce waste and support the transition to a more circular economy.
She is particularly keen to challenge the idea that recycling is simple. Even as a plastics researcher, she admits there are times when she isn't sure which bin something belongs in. And, what many people see as a simple act of putting something in the recycling bin is the first step in a much longer and more complex journey. Through her work, Sophia wants to demystify the complexity and empower people to make informed choices about sustainability with confidence and clarity, not confusion and guilt.
Ultimately, she hopes her work will challenge the perception that plastics are simply "bad" or disposable materials. Instead, she wants people to recognise their value and see them as resources that can be recovered, reused and given a second life through better design, use and recycling.
