Professor Rachel O’ Reilly from Warwick University has been awarded the 2014 McBain medal for her pioneering research in novel polymeric nanoparticles, responsive materials and controlled self-assembly. The 2015 McBain medal has been awarded to Professor Giuseppe Battaglia of University College, London, for his work in developing novel functional polymers for biomedical applications, design rules for self-assembly of soft-matter and the development of colloidal systems for drug delivery. Both winners will be presented with their award at the McBain meeting on Tuesday 8 December at SCI in Belgrave Square, London.