Tom McLeish, FRS, is a Professor of Natural Philosophy in the Department of Physics and also in the Centre for Medieval Studies and the Humanities Research Centre at the University of York, England. His research in ‘soft matter and biological physics, draws on collaboration with chemists, engineers, and biologists to study relationships between molecular structure and emergent material properties, and was recognized by awards in the USA and Europe.

 

He currently leads the UK ‘Physics of Life’ network, and holds a 5-year personal research fellowship. Other academic interests include the framing of science, society and history, and creativity in art and science. He co-leads the Ordered Universe project, a large interdisciplinary collaboration re-examining scientific treatises from the 13th century.

 

Two recent books, Faith and Wisdom in Science (2014) and Let There Be Science (with David Hutchings, 2017), articulate a theological narrative for science, recognised by the Archbishop of Canterbury’s Lanfranc Award in 2018. From 2008 to 2014 he served as Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research at Durham University and is currently Chair of the Royal Society’s Education Committee, and a trustee of the John Templeton Foundation.