The discussions presented in Photoactive Materials: Science and Applications are grouped around three main aspects: (i) molecular engineering; (ii) electroluminescence and photorefractive effects; and (iii) nonlinear optical material response. Progress, problems and possible developments are clearly described. The main topics covered (albeit with some overlap) are: Theoretical considerations; nonlinear optical effects and applications; photorefractivity, photochromism and electroluminescence; molecular engineering, material processing, characterization and molecular electronics applications; new effects and phenomena.