Stephen M. Mansell

Stephen M. Mansell is an Assistant Professor in the Institute of Chemical Sciences at Heriot-Watt University, within the School of Engineering & Physical Sciences. His research focuses on developing novel homogeneous catalysts, particularly leveraging main group and transition metal chemistries to enhance reactions like C-H activation and borylation. Mansell holds an MSci from Imperial College London (2005) and a PhD from the University of Bristol (2009), followed by postdoctoral work in uranium-based organometallic chemistry. His group specializes in ligand design and cooperative reactivity to improve catalytic processes.

Research interests include homogeneous catalysis, ligand design, and applications in sustainable chemistry. Recent work highlights advancements in Rh-catalysed borylation, flow chemistry for alcohol-to-alkene conversion, and manganese-based precatalysts for fuel upgrading. Mansell has contributed to over 59 publications and 10 datasets, including studies on polymerization catalysts and hydrogen-borrowing reactions.

He actively participates in academic activities, such as invited talks on C-H activation and climate change-related chemistry, and serves as an external examiner for PhD theses. Media engagements include discussions on research catalysts and historical scientific discoveries like radium.