Joe Wood

Professor Joe Wood is a Professor in Chemical Reaction Engineering at the University of Birmingham's School of Chemical Engineering, leading the Catalysis and Reaction Engineering research group. He is also part of the interdisciplinary Birmingham Plastics Network, addressing global plastics challenges. His research focuses on catalysis, reactor engineering, and sustainable solutions for energy, environmental issues, and plastics recycling. He has published over 110 articles and secured major grants from EPSRC.

Education: BEng (Loughborough, 1995), PhD (Cambridge, 2001). Academic roles include Lecturer (2001–2008), Senior Lecturer (2008–2010), Reader (2010–2012), and Professor (2012–present). He teaches Reactors, Catalysis, and Thermodynamics, and serves as Examinations Officer and IChemE Liaison Officer.

Research interests include catalyst development, reactor design, bio-based fuels, CO₂ capture, and plastic recycling. Notable projects include EPSRC-funded work on PET depolymerization and CO₂ capture. Awards include the Junior Research Fellowship (Hughes Hall, Cambridge) and Exxon Mobil Teaching Fellowship.