Me in a nutshell (Orcid Profile)

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I trained in physics & theoretical physics at Peterhouse, Cambridge University, where I stayed to study for a PhD in mineral physics at St John's College, and the Cavendish Laboratory. After a research fellowship at St Edmund's College, Cambridge and a year at Portsmouth Polytechnic, I joined the School of Physics and Astronomy at the University of Edinburgh, where I held a person chair in Condensed Matter Physics from 1998 until I was elected to one of the most ancient chairs in the University, that of Natural Philosophy, in 2016. I was elected FRSE in 2004, and have held a Royal Society Wolfson Research Merit Award.

My current research in rheology and active matter physics is funded by grants from the UK's EPSRC and an Advanced Grant from the European Research Council. In 2019 I gave the Thomas Graham Lecture of the Royal Society of Chemistry and Society of Chemica Industry's Joint Colloids Group, awarded biannually 'to a scientist in the UK who in the prime of their research career who has established an international reputation in colloid science by their distinguished contributions to the field.' In the same year, the Institute of Physics awarded me the Sam Edwards Medal for my 'outstanding contributions to the fundamental study of condensed matter physics, statistical physics and biophysics using model colloidal systems'.

I also teach and research the relationship between science and Christian belief at New College, Edinburgh, have served successively on the Doctrine and Liturgy Committees of the Scottish Episcopal Church, and done work on the philosophy of science and congregational development funded by the Templeton Foundation.