David Phillips (chemist)
Encyclopedia
Professor David Phillips OBE (1939–) is a British Chemist specializing in photochemistry
and lasers, and President of the Royal Society of Chemistry
2010–12.
Phillips was born 3 December 1939 in South Shields
, where he attended the Grammar School. He studied at the University of Birmingham
attaining a BSc and PhD, with postdoctoral work a the University of Texas at Austin
and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
He began as a Lecturer
in chemistry at the University of Southampton
, rising to the status of Reader
then becoming Wolfson Professor of Natural Philosophy
, at the Royal Institution
. In 1989 he moved to Imperial College, London as Professor of Physical Chemistry
and held a number of senior posts there.
In 1987 he gave the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
on television, and in 1999 he was awarded the OBE. In May 2011 he was the guest on Desert Island Discs
.
Photochemistry
Photochemistry, a sub-discipline of chemistry, is the study of chemical reactions that proceed with the absorption of light by atoms or molecules.. Everyday examples include photosynthesis, the degradation of plastics and the formation of vitamin D with sunlight.-Principles:Light is a type of...
and lasers, and President of the Royal Society of Chemistry
Royal Society of Chemistry
The Royal Society of Chemistry is a learned society in the United Kingdom with the goal of "advancing the chemical sciences." It was formed in 1980 from the merger of the Chemical Society, the Royal Institute of Chemistry, the Faraday Society and the Society for Analytical Chemistry with a new...
2010–12.
Phillips was born 3 December 1939 in South Shields
South Shields
South Shields is a coastal town in Tyne and Wear, England, located at the mouth of the River Tyne to Tyne Dock, and about downstream from Newcastle upon Tyne...
, where he attended the Grammar School. He studied at the University of Birmingham
University of Birmingham
The University of Birmingham is a British Redbrick university located in the city of Birmingham, England. It received its royal charter in 1900 as a successor to Birmingham Medical School and Mason Science College . Birmingham was the first Redbrick university to gain a charter and thus...
attaining a BSc and PhD, with postdoctoral work a the University of Texas at Austin
University of Texas at Austin
The University of Texas at Austin is a state research university located in Austin, Texas, USA, and is the flagship institution of the The University of Texas System. Founded in 1883, its campus is located approximately from the Texas State Capitol in Austin...
and the Academy of Sciences of the USSR.
He began as a Lecturer
Lecturer
Lecturer is an academic rank. In the United Kingdom, lecturer is a position at a university or similar institution, often held by academics in their early career stages, who lead research groups and supervise research students, as well as teach...
in chemistry at the University of Southampton
University of Southampton
The University of Southampton is a British public university located in the city of Southampton, England, a member of the Russell Group. The origins of the university can be dated back to the founding of the Hartley Institution in 1862 by Henry Robertson Hartley. In 1902, the Institution developed...
, rising to the status of Reader
Reader (academic rank)
The title of Reader in the United Kingdom and some universities in the Commonwealth nations like Australia and New Zealand denotes an appointment for a senior academic with a distinguished international reputation in research or scholarship...
then becoming Wolfson Professor of Natural Philosophy
Natural philosophy
Natural philosophy or the philosophy of nature , is a term applied to the study of nature and the physical universe that was dominant before the development of modern science...
, at the Royal Institution
Royal Institution
The Royal Institution of Great Britain is an organization devoted to scientific education and research, based in London.-Overview:...
. In 1989 he moved to Imperial College, London as Professor of Physical Chemistry
Physical chemistry
Physical chemistry is the study of macroscopic, atomic, subatomic, and particulate phenomena in chemical systems in terms of physical laws and concepts...
and held a number of senior posts there.
In 1987 he gave the Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
Royal Institution Christmas Lectures
The Royal Institution Christmas Lectures are a series of lectures on a single topic, which have been held at the Royal Institution in London each year since 1825. The lectures present scientific subjects to a general audience, including young people, in an informative and entertaining manner....
on television, and in 1999 he was awarded the OBE. In May 2011 he was the guest on Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs
Desert Island Discs is a BBC Radio 4 programme first broadcast on 29 January 1942. It is the second longest-running radio programme , and is the longest-running factual programme in the history of radio...
.