Brief Biography, Professor Helen Gleeson OBE FInstP, Cavendish Professor of Physics, University of Leeds

Helen undertakes experimental studies of liquid crystals, from a fundamental, deep understanding of physical properties to device inventions and discoveries. She has invented switchable focus contact lenses, sensors, molecular auxetic materials and electrocaloric materials. She has published more than 220 papers, holds around 15 patents and has given hundreds of conferences presentations on her work.

Helen’s research achievements have been recognised through the Hilsum and GW Gray Medals (British Liquid Crystal Society), the Holweck Prize (IOP and French Physical Society), the Rank Prize Lecture, the BLCS Sturgeon Lecture and the Alfred Saupe Medal (German Liquid Crystal Society). She was shortlisted for the THE Research Project of the Year: STEM in 2024.

Helen has held leadership positions at two UK Universities, including Dean for Research (University of Manchester, 2002-2008), Head of School of Physics and Astronomy (University of Manchester 2008 – 2010) and Head of School of Physics and Astronomy (University of Leeds 2016 – 2021). She has been the Cavendish Professor of Physics at the University of Leeds since 2015.

Helen’s work on equality and inclusion issues led to an OBE in 2009 and the THE Outstanding Research Supervisor of the Year award in 2018. She has been the IOP EDI Representative to Council and has chaired the Bell Burnell Graduate Scholarship Fund from its inception until 2025. She currently holds an EPSRC Established Career and ED&I Champion Fellowship

Abstract Title: Liquid Crystal Elastomers as Metamaterials