Professor Michael Ashfold CChem FRSC

Winner: 2021 Award for Exceptional Service

University of Bristol

For outstanding service to the Royal Society of Chemistry through our member communities and governance groups.

Celebrate Professor Michael Ashfold

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I am motivated by all aspects of the process of gaining better understanding ….

Professor Ashfold’s research uses advanced laser-based techniques to study the chemistry and physics of molecules upon exposure to light. A topic of recent interest within the Ashfold group has focused on how sunscreen molecules and formulations offer protection to ultraviolet (UV) light, and whether other molecules might offer superior properties. Investigations are underway into whether similar UV light-to-heat conversion mechanisms could find use in other fields; for example, to boost plant growth.

The Ashfold group also uses a process known as chemical vapour deposition (CVD) to grow thin diamond films from activated hydrocarbon/hydrogen gas mixtures, and studies how the efficiency of this process might be improved. Using CVD allows for fine control over the chemistry, and therefore the properties of the material produced. Another research interest relates to the photochemistry of molecules like water, hydrogen sulfide and ethane in the interstellar medium – the material which fills the space between star systems in a galaxy.

Read winner biography

Mike Ashfold received his BSc and PhD degrees at the University of Birmingham and was a Guy Newton Junior Research Fellow (Oxford) prior to his appointment as a Lecturer (1981) and subsequent promotion to a Chair of Physical Chemistry at the University of Bristol (1992). He was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society in 2009, is retired from the Leverhulme Chair of Chemistry (2020) and is now an Emeritus Professor at Bristol. Mike’s research interests span broad areas of molecular spectroscopy and photochemistry, and thin film growth (particularly diamond chemical vapour deposition).

Mike’s associations with the RSC include: Chair of the Molecular Beams and Dynamics (1996–2000) and High Resolution Spectroscopy (2001–02) groups and encouraging their merger to create the current Spectroscopy and Dynamics Interest Group; Chair of the Faraday Editorial Board from 1994 until the cessation of J Chem Soc Faraday Trans in 1998 and the launch of Physical Chemistry Chemical Physics (PCCP), and acting as founding Chair of the PCCP Editorial Board (1999–2000) and as Chair again 2003–05; service on Faraday Council (Ordinary Member, 1991–94, Vice President, 1995–98 and President, 2009–12 – a period that witnessed a marked increase in the frequency of Faraday Discussions and establishment of the Physical Chemistry Early Career Researcher Network meetings); Chairing the RSC's Science, Education and Industry Board (SEIB) 2012–18 and, by virtue of that position, membership of RSC Council throughout that period. As Chair of SEIB, Mike helped promote and monitor RSC initiatives like the Researcher Mobility Grants and Enterprise Plus Industrial Placements, and oversaw the RSC's responses to numerous policy issues.

Q+A

How did you first become interested in chemistry?

At secondary school. I loved learning and was interested in almost all subjects as a pupil, but my greatest enthusiasm shifted towards quantitative subjects – particularly maths and science – as the syllabus became progressively more subject specific.

Who or what has inspired you?

My two sixth form chemistry teachers are responsible for my choosing chemistry as the subject of my undergraduate degree rather than physics or mathematics.

What motivates you?

I am motivated by all aspects of the process of gaining better understanding – spanning the conception of new ideas and experiments, the harvesting and analysis of data pertaining to some system that (to the best of my knowledge) had not been observed before and, finally, the interpretation of the data and thinking what new doors could be opened as a result of the new knowledge. The nature of my research interests has meant that almost all such questions have been tackled with me acting as part of a team – locally, and often internationally. These interactions – with bright young students, developing postdoctoral researchers and with academic colleagues in the UK and beyond – are other wonderful sources of motivation.

What has been a highlight for you (either personally or in your career)?

The opportunities to travel and experience science and cultures in other parts of the world. I have been fortunate to hold visiting scientist positions at Bielefeld, Amsterdam and FORTH Heraklion, JILA (Boulder, Colorado), Sandia (Livermore, California), NIST (Gaithersburg, Maryland), USC (Los Angeles, STELAB (Nagoya), Kyoto University, Moscow State University and DICP (Dalian, China) and to participate in many scientific conferences. All of these experiences offered opportunities to gain new skills and knowledge, to meet new people and to appreciate that the things we all have in common are so, so much greater than any perceived differences.