Russell Foster

Professor Russell Foster CBE FRS is a leading academic in circadian neuroscience at the University of Oxford. He holds positions as Professor of Circadian Neuroscience, Director of the Sleep and Circadian Neuroscience Institute (SCNi), and Head of the Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology. His research focuses on circadian rhythms, sleep regulation, and the impact of light detection systems in the eye. He has pioneered translational research leading to the spin-out company Circadian Therapeutics.

Key professional roles include governance roles at the Royal Society, chairing the Cheltenham Science Festival (2010–2016), and serving as a Trustee of the Science Museum Group. He has authored four popular science books, including Life Time (2022), and has over 290 peer-reviewed publications.

Awards include the CBE (2015) and Daylight Award (2020). His work influences architectural design to optimize light exposure for health, with findings applied to built environments globally.