10.30am-11.30am
South Gallery
As part of our Plastic Free Day, hear from leading expert and 'Godfather' of microplastics research, Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS. He has recently been named in the TIME100 Health list as one of the most influential individuals leading change in health.
The talk will be 45 minutes with the opportunity for questions at the end.
Biography
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS is Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth.
Richard is a world-leading marine scientist and is at the forefront of pioneering research into the causes and effects of marine litter. He founded and heads the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, which has charted the global distribution of microplastics from Arctic sea ice to the deep seas.
In 2019, the University was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering research of Richard and his colleagues on marine microplastics pollution and its impact on the environment and changing behaviour.
Honours
Richard was presented with the 2023 Blue Planet Prize in recognition of his groundbreaking research and ongoing work with colleagues in the UK and worldwide.
In 2017, Richard was awarded with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to marine science. He was awarded the 2017 Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation for his pioneering research into microplastics.