New Head of Chemistry

​Lancaster’s newest department has appointed its first head.

Professor Peter Fielden from Manchester University will take up the role this year as the University prepares to open its doors to chemistry students again in October 2013.

The new department will benefit from Lancaster’s strong track record of chemistry-related research as well as the opportunities which spring from studying on a freshly-created course.

As well as new undergraduate chemistry degree programmes, the department will also offer a challenging, research-led Masters programme, which will build on Lancaster’s research and take advantage of industry relationships and placements.

Professor Fielden – who has published over 180 research papers and patents, and successfully supervised more than 30 PhD students - chairs the Royal Society of Chemistry Electroanalytical Sensing Systems Group and is a Scientific Advisor to the UK government.

He said: “This is an exciting time to be involved with chemistry – and particularly so here at Lancaster University where there is a real sense of energy and enthusiasm for the new department.

“Students will have the opportunity to study on a completely new course in a highly-ranked university with a dynamic team of scientists who have been hand-picked for the job.  I’m particularly looking forward to working across disciplines and alongside scientists, engineers and social scientists across the University and developing that track record of interdisciplinary work which is key to Lancaster’s success.”

Professor Fielden graduated in chemistry from Imperial College, London, and was later awarded a PhD at UMIST. He has research interests in a number of areas including electroanalytical measurement techniques. He has applied these techniques to a diverse range of applications which range from industrial and security to healthcare and life-sciences.

To find out more about chemistry at Lancaster go to www.chemistry.lancs.ac.uk