Les Field

Professor Les Field is a distinguished Professor of Chemistry at the University of New South Wales (UNSW), where he has made significant contributions to organometallic chemistry and NMR spectroscopy. He previously served in several high-level administrative roles including Senior Deputy Vice-Chancellor and Senior Vice-President of UNSW (2016-2017) and Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Research) at UNSW (2005-2016). His academic career spans several decades with prior positions at the University of Sydney where he served as Head of Chemistry (1997-2001) and as an elected member of the University Senate (2003-2005).

Professor Field's educational background includes:

• PhD in Chemistry from the University of Sydney (1979)
• Postdoctoral Fellowships at the University of Southern California and Oxford University
• DSc from the University of Sydney (1991)

Professor Field's research focuses on the frontiers of organometallic chemistry, particularly in the areas of transition metal catalysis, nitrogen and carbon dioxide fixation, and C-H bond activation. His work on metal-mediated transformations of small molecules like N₂ and CO₂ has provided fundamental insights into sustainable chemical processes. He has also made significant contributions to NMR spectroscopy, developing advanced techniques for characterizing organometallic compounds and studying molecular dynamics in constrained environments. His research bridges fundamental chemistry with potential applications in energy and environmental science.

Professor Field's recent publications demonstrate a continued focus on alkane activation, particularly methane binding to metal centers, which represents a major challenge in chemistry. His work on dinitrogen reduction to ammonia and hydrazine provides alternative pathways for nitrogen fixation beyond the traditional Haber process. The research also extends to carbon dioxide activation and transformation, with implications for carbon capture and utilization technologies. His group maintains expertise in both synthetic organometallic chemistry and advanced spectroscopic characterization.

Professor Field's significant scientific contributions have been recognized with numerous awards:

• Rennie Medal (1983)
• Edgeworth David Medal (1986)
• Organic Chemistry Medal of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (1994)
• Centenary of Federation Medal (2003)
• RACI Leighton Medal (2010)
• Member of the Order of Australia (AM) (2011) for services to Chemistry and Higher Education
• Elected Fellow of the Australian Academy of Science (1996)

Throughout his career, Professor Field has demonstrated exceptional leadership in both research and academic administration. He has secured substantial research funding that has supported numerous PhD students and postdoctoral researchers. His service to the scientific community extends beyond his institution through roles on the Council of the Royal Australian Chemical Institute (2004-2008) and the Australian Academy of Science (2004-2006, 2012-2016), where he served as Secretary for Science Policy (2012-2016). His expertise has also been applied to commercialization efforts through directorships at UNSW Innovations and Flame Security International.

Professor Field maintains active research programs in multiple areas of organometallic chemistry, with particular emphasis on small molecule activation. His laboratory continues to produce high-impact research at the intersection of fundamental organometallic chemistry and potential applications in sustainable technologies. The group's work combines synthetic chemistry with advanced spectroscopic and computational methods to unravel complex reaction mechanisms.