Lewis Owen

Dr Lewis Owen is a Senior Lecturer and Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow at the School of Chemical, Materials and Biological Engineering, University of Sheffield. He is also the X-ray Laboratory Lead, Outreach Lead, and Seminar Lead at his institution.

Education:

• PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy (University of Cambridge / ISIS Neutron and Muon Source, 2013–2017)
• MSc/BA in Natural Science Tripos (Chemistry, University of Cambridge, 2009–2013)
• Departmental prize: Norrish Prize for Physical Chemistry
• College Exhibition and Bachelor Scholarship at Queens’ College

Research Focus:
Lewis Owen specializes in advanced materials characterization, particularly using X-ray and Neutron scattering to study local atomic structures in metallurgical systems. His work explores short-range order in alloys, phase transitions, and structure-property relationships, with applications in nickel superalloys, high-entropy alloys, and radiation-damage-tolerant materials. He also engages in in-situ diffraction experiments at UK national facilities like ISIS and Diamond.

Scientific Awards & Honors:

• CSAR Research Prize
• Malvern PANalytical Thesis Prize for Physical Crystallography
• Norrish Prize for Physical Chemistry
• Queens’ College Scholarships

Professional Roles:
He chairs the Physical Crystallography Group (BCA) and Structural Condensed Matter Physics Group (IOP), and is a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy and British Crystallographic Association. His outreach efforts include hosting the Materials Unlocked podcast.