Chris Howard

Conjoint Professor Chris Howard is an Honorary Professor in the School of Engineering at the University of Newcastle. With a Doctor of Science from the University of Melbourne, Professor Howard has established himself as a leading expert in crystallography and materials science.

Professor Howard's research focuses on crystallography of minerals, ceramics and inorganic compounds, with particular emphasis on applications of group theory in crystallography and crystal structure-property relationships. His work bridges fundamental crystallographic principles with practical applications in materials science, particularly in understanding phase transitions and structural properties of various materials.

His extensive publication record includes over 170 journal articles, 22 conference papers, 2 book chapters, and a book titled "Applications of Neutron Powder Diffraction" (Oxford University Press, 2008). His recent work (2018-2025) demonstrates continued activity in the field, with research spanning tungsten trioxide, hybrid organic-inorganic perovskites, ferroelastic materials, and tungsten bronzes. Analysis of his recent publications reveals a consistent focus on symmetry analysis, phase transitions, and structural properties of materials, with particular attention to the relationship between crystal structure and material properties.

Professor Howard has secured research funding totaling $369,643, including a major $363,000 ARC Discovery Project in 2009 titled "A New Paradigm for the Solid State Synthesis of Layered Materials" and more recent grants from ANSTO for strain analysis research.

While his teaching experience is described as "limited," Professor Howard has taught a course entitled 'Diffraction and Phase Transitions' to Part II and Part III tripos students in the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. His administrative expertise includes holding a diploma in management and having led groups/sections at ANSTO from 1980-1997.