James Durrant

James Durrant serves as Professor of Photochemistry at Imperial College London since 2005 and holds a part-time Sêr Cymru Solar Professorship at Swansea University since 2013. His research focuses on photochemical processes in solar energy conversion devices, utilizing transient spectroscopy to analyze electron transfer dynamics in next-generation photovoltaic and photocatalytic systems.

His academic foundation includes a B.A. in Natural Sciences (Physics) from the University of Cambridge (1984-1987) and a PhD in Biochemistry from Imperial College London (1987-1991) under Lord Porter and James Barber. Prior appointments include BBSRC Advanced Research Fellow (1994-1999) and progressive academic roles in Imperial's Chemistry Department (1999-2005).

Durrant's research centers on solar energy conversion mechanisms, with current emphasis on polymer/fullerene and perovskite solar cells alongside water-splitting photocatalysts. His experimental approach combines transient laser spectroscopies with device engineering to establish design principles for efficient solar materials. Key focus areas include charge carrier dynamics, interface engineering, and stability optimization for practical solar technologies.

Recent publications reveal consistent advancement in understanding charge transfer processes across diverse materials systems, with growing emphasis on stability challenges and interfacial phenomena in both photovoltaic and solar fuel generation applications. The work bridges fundamental photochemistry with device-level performance optimization.

His distinguished recognition includes:

• Meldola Medal of the RSC (1995)
• Imperial College Research Excellence Award (2006)
• Environment Prize of the RSC (2009)
• ERC Advanced Grant (2012-2017)
• Tilden Prize of the RSC (2012)
• Elected Fellow of the Royal Society (2017)
• Hughes Medal of the Royal Society (2018)

Durrant directs a substantial research enterprise comprising 6 postdoctoral researchers, 8 PhD students, and 2 technicians at Imperial College, supported by EPSRC, ERC, CEC, and Solvay SA grants. He concurrently leads the Centre for Plastic Electronics (since 2015) and the Welsh government-funded Sêr Solar programme at Swansea's SPECIFIC IKC, accelerating printed photovoltaic technology demonstration through industry-academic collaboration.