Mike Watkinson

Professor Mike Watkinson serves as Deputy Pro-Vice-Chancellor of the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University (MMU), appointed in February 2024. Previously, he was Head of the School of Chemical and Physical Sciences at Keele University (2018–2024) and held senior roles at Queen Mary University of London (QMUL), including Professor of Synthetic Chemistry (2010), Deputy Dean for Research (2012–2018), and Director of the Doctoral College (2016–2018).

Education: BSc in Chemistry from the University of St. Andrews, followed by a PhD at UMIST on manganese Schiff base complexes (awarded Laurie Vergnano Prize, 1994). Postdoctoral research included a Royal Society Fellowship at the University of Santiago de Compostela, Spain, and work on conformationally restricted biaryl systems at UMIST.

Research focuses on supramolecular architectures for catalysis and sensing, with over 110 peer-reviewed publications, patents, and book chapters. Secured £7M+ in research funding. Awards include the Royal Society of Chemistry’s inaugural Laurie Vergnano Award (1994) and Fellowship (FRSC, CChem).

Administrative leadership spans doctoral training, faculty research strategy, and interdisciplinary collaboration. Current role oversees strategic direction of MMU’s Science and Engineering faculty.