Profile

Photo of Prof Pete Vukusic

Prof Pete Vukusic

Professor of BioPhotonics & Associate Dean for Education

 P.Vukusic@exeter.ac.uk


Overview

Pete Vukusic began Investigating natural structural colour in the University of Exeter School of Physics in 1998. Iridescence and the photonic properties of butterflies and moths was central to the original work but his research has diversified to comprise the photonics of a much broader range of animals and plants.

Pete formed and leads the Biological Photonics research group. The group's research is motivated by the goal of fundamentally understanding naturally evolved strategies at work in the manipulation of light by biological systems.   Its principle aims comprise development of a critical knowledge base of biological strategies involved in natural photonic system processes and applying it both to improve existing technologies and to design innovative new optical devices.

Please email Prof. Pete Vukusic using the email address shown above, or look through the groups publications and research pages if you are interested in this area and wish to find out more.

Pete is the Associate Dean for Education in the College of Engineering, Mathematics and Physical Sciences and member of the College Executive Group and University's Senior Management Group. 

Education and Employment

2013 – present       Professor of BioPhotonics, School of Physics, Exeter University, UK
2008 – 2013           Associate Professor, School of Physics, Exeter University, UK
2005 – 2008           Senior Lecturer, School of Physics, Exeter University, UK
2003 – 2005           Lecturer , School of Physics, Exeter University, UK
2001 – 2006           BBSRC David Phillips Fellow, School of Physics, Exeter University, UK
1998 – 2001           Post-doctoral researcher, School of Physics, Exeter University, UK

Consultancy

Bausch + Lomb
L'Oreal
P&G

Invited Presentations

Full list available here.

Outreach

List of activities available here.

Memberships

Fellow of the Institute of Physics.

Prizes

University of Exeter "Extra Mile" prize winner, awarded by the Guild of Students, 2020.
Institute of Physics Bragg Prize 2014
Royal Society Kohn Award 2013
Institute of Physics SW Science Photography Competition 2012
Institute of Physics Ireland Schools Lecturer 2011
British Association Lord Kelvin Award Lecturer 2008
Institute of Physics UK Schools Lecturer 2007
L’Oreal International Art and Science of Colour Prize 2005.
Society for Information Display Best Invited Paper Award, at Optics of Displays Conf., April 2005.
Conference prize for "Best Invited Talk” at The Rank Prize Funds, Opto-electronic Materials for the New Millenium Conference, Grasmere, Yorkshire. October 1998.

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Publications

Copyright Notice: Any articles made available for download are for personal use only. Any other use requires prior permission of the author and the copyright holder.

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  • Vukusic P. (2003) Natural Coatings, Optical Interference Coatings, Springer Nature, 1-34, DOI:10.1007/978-3-540-36386-6_1.
  • Vukusic P. (2003) Natural photonics, Physicist, volume 41, no. 1, pages 9-14.
  • Vukusic P. (2003) The photonics of natural systems, 2003 IEEE/LEOS INTERNATIONAL CONFERENCE ON OPTICAL MEMS, pages 165-166, DOI:10.1109/OMEMS.2003.1233517. [PDF]
  • Vukusic P, Sambles JR. (2003) Photonic structures in biology, Nature, volume 424, no. 6950, pages 852-855, DOI:10.1038/nature01941. [PDF]

2002

  • Lawrence C, Vukusic P, Sambles R. (2002) Grazing-incidence iridescence from a butterfly wing, Appl Opt, volume 41, no. 3, pages 437-441, DOI:10.1364/ao.41.000437. [PDF]
  • Sambles, J.R., Lawrence, C.R.. (2002) Limited-view iridescence in the butterfly Ancyluris meliboeus, Proceedings of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, volume 269, no. 7, pages 7-14.

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  • VUKUSIC PS, BROWN GPB, SAMBLES JR. (1991) SURFACE-PLASMON RESONANCE ON GRATINGS AS A NOVEL MEANS FOR GAS SENSING, SENSORS, pages 145-149. [PDF]

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Further information

Keynotes, Plenaries and other conference talks

Plenary / Keynote presentations at international conferences

Keynote Lecture, at the University of Exeter Festival of Discovery (in-person and online), June 2021.

Keynote & Introductory Lecture at the Faraday Discussion meeting of the Royals Society of Chemistry, Biological and Bioinspired Optics, Cambridge (online due to Covid), July 2020. 

Keynote Lecture at the International Workshop on Bio-inspired Optics and Photonics - From Metameterials to Applications, Max Planck Institute, Dresden, Germany, June 2019.

Keynote lecture at the Animal, Vegetal, Mineral conference, Yallingup, Australia, Sept. 2016.

Keynote lecture at the Insitute of Physics Teachers Conference, Brecon, Wales, Oct. 2015.

Keynote talk at the Wyss Institute 5th Annual Symposium: Bioinspired Adaptive Materials, Boston, US, June 2014.

Keynote talk at the Radcliffe Institute Symposium on Smart Materials, Harvard, Boston, US, Nov. 2013. 

Plenary talk at the Optical Interference Coatings International Conference at Whistler, US, June 2013.

Keynote talk at the Heraeus International Meeting on the Physics of the Intercellular Matrix, Bad Honnef, Germany, June 2012.

Keynote talk at the Royal Society New Frontiers Conference, Kavli Centre, Bucks, UK. Sept. 2011.

Keynote talk at the TAPPI Advanced Coating Fundamentals Symposium, Munich, Germany, Oct. 2010.

Keynote Invited and award-winning talk at the British Association of Science Conference, held in Liverpool, Sept. 2008 (Presented with the Lord Kelvin Award 2008).

Plenary talk at the International Symposium on Biomimetics: Designs Inspired by Living Systems, Khajuraho, India, March 2008.

Keynote talk at the International Conference on Iridescence, Phoenix, Arizona, February 2008.

Keynote International Conference on Diffractive Optics (DO2005), Warsaw, Poland, 3rd-6th September 2005.

Keynote talk at the International Conference on Structural Colour, Osaka, Japan, November 2003.

Invited presentations at international conferences

Invited talk at the American Physical Society International Meeting, 16th March 2021.

Invited talk at The Scientific Legacy of the 3rd Baron Rayleigh, Cambridge, 19th September 2019.

Invited talk at the 2nd Middle Eastern Materials Science Conference, Abu Dhabi, 12th November 2018.

Invited talk at the Higher Apprenticeships Conference, London, December 12th, 2017.

Invited talk at the DPG Conference, Bioinspired Functional Materials Symposium, Dresden, March 21st, 2017.

Invited talk at Universities UK Degree Apprinticeships symposium, London, March 28th, 2017.

Invited talk at IoP Optical Biomimetics meeting, Imperial College, London, February 22nd, 2017.

Invited talk at The Colour Blue symposium, BRLSI, Bath, November 19th 2016.

Invited talk at the GSA / HMC Conference, Leicester, November 9th, 2016.

Invited talk at the PINC Conference, Utrecht, The Netherlands, May 2016.

Invited talk at the Physics for Life Winter School, Oxford, Jan 2016.

Invited talk at Living Materials Symposium, Talloires, France, July 2015.

Invited talk at the 98th Canadian Chemistry Conference, Ottawa, June 2015.

Invited talk at the Focus on Light Symposium, Bristol, UK, June 2015.

Invited talk at the Rank Prize Conference - Perception of Iridescence, Grasmere, UK, April 2015.

Invited talk at the Natural Materials and Systems & Extremophiles Program Review, Fort Walton, US, Dec 2014

Invited talk at the Canadian Chemistry Conference, Vancouver, 4th June, 2014.

Invited talk at the Society of Cosmetic Scientists Annual Conference, Oxford, 1st May 2014.

Invited talk at the Living Light: Uniting Biology and Photonics conference, Namur, Belgium, 12th April, 2014. 

Invited talk at the Workshop on Emergent Design in Biological and BioInspired Materials, MIT, Boston, US. Sept 6th, 2013.

Invited talk at the Workshop on Nanophotonics, at the Inernational Centre of Theoretical Physics, Trieste, Italy, Dec 2012.

Invited talk at the British Contact Lens Association Annual Meeting, Birmingham, June 2012.

Invited talk at the German Applied Optics Society Annual Meeting, Eindhoven, The Netherlands, June 2012.

Invited talk at the International Extremophiles Symposium, Washington DC., US. Dec 2011.

Invited talk USAF Biopaints and Biosensors Symposium, Atlanta, US.  Nov 2011.

Invited talk at the Geometry of Interfaces Conference, Primôsten, Croatia. Oct 2011.

Invited talk at the British Association Festival of Science, Nottingham. Sept. 2011.

Invited presentation, Royal Society Summer Exhibition, London. July 2011.

Invited talk at PaperCon 2011, Covington KY, US, April 2011.

Invited talk at the Ophthalmology Institute of Russia Symposium, Moscow, Dec, 2010.

Invited talk at the Brazilian Ophthalmology Symposium, Salvador, Sept. 2010.

Invited talk at the Physics Meets Biology International Conference, Oxford, Sept. 2010.

Co-Organiser and invited talk at the Royal Society New Frontiers Conference, Sao Paolo, Brazil, August 2010.

Invited talk at the American Optical Society International Symposium, Orlando, June 2010.

Invited talk at the Societé de la France Opthalmologie International Meeting, Paris, May 2010.

Invited talk at the British Contact Lens Association International Conference, Birmingham, May 2010.

Invited talk at the Materials Research Society, San Francisco, April 2010.

Invited talk at the IoP Physics in the Animal World Meeting, London, Nov. 2009.

Invited talk at the Composites at the Lake International Meeting, Lake Louise, Canada, Oct. 2009.

Invited talk at the DSTL meeting on Microlight Airborne Autonomous Sensing Vehicles, Southampton, August 2009.

Invited talk at the 21st International Conference on Colour Vision and Appearance, Braga, Portugal. July 2009.

Invited talk at the Bosch & Lomb International Meeting on Vision Optics, held in Manchester, June 2009.

Invited talk at the Dublin Science Festival, held in Dublin, Ireland, Jan 2009.

Invited talk at the Karlsruhe International Summer School in Photonics, held in Karlsruhe, Germany, Sept. 2008.

Invited talk at Photon08, International Conference on Photonics, Edinburgh, Sept. 2008.

Invited talk at the Royal Society New Frontiers in Science Conference, Tokyo, Japan, October 2008.

Invited talk at the International Conference on Exploiting the Engineering and Biology of Polarization, Queensland, Australia, June 2008

Invited talk at the BBSRC International Fellows Conference, Bristol, December 2007.

Invited talk at the International Conference on Colour Design and Engineering, London, November 2007.

Invited talk at the Unilever International Conference on Multi-scale Structures and. Dynamics of Complex Systems, Beijing, China, August 2007.

Invited talk at the US Air Force Symposium on Manipulating Visual Appearances, Dayton, Ohio, May 2007.

Co-Organiser and invited talk at the Rank Prize Funds Minisymposium on Metamaterials in Nature and Technology, Windermere, UK, August 2006.

Invited talk at the Gordon Research Conference on Biomineralization, New Hampshire, USA, 2nd August 2006.

Invited talk at the International Conference on Electrical, Transport, and Optical Properties of Inhomogeneous Media, Sydney, Australia, 14th July 2006.

Invited talk at the The Future of LEDs International Conference, London, UK, 26th June 2006.

Invited talk at the Colour Vision Group Meeting, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK, 12th January 2006

Invited talk at the Materials Research Society International Conference, San Francisco, USA, 31st February 2005.

Invited talk at the 2nd International Conference on Advanced Materials and Nanotechnology, Queenstown, New Zealand, 8th February 2005.

Invited talk at the Optonet Photonicnet EFDS International Workshop, Fraunhofer Institut Angewandte Optik und Feinmechanik (Fraunhofer Institute of Optics), Nov. 2004.

Invited talk at the Diffractive Optics and Micro-Optics Conference, Rochester, USA, 2004.

Invited talk at the Optical Interference Coatings International Conference, Tucson, Arizona, USA, July 2004.

Invited talk at the Dielectrics at Meso and Nano Scales Conference, Canterbury, UK, April 2004.

Invited talk at the IEEE/LEOS International Conference on Optical MEMS, Hawaii, USA, August 2002.

Invited talk at the International Workshop on Frontiers in Electronics, St. Croix, USA, Jan 2002.

Invited talk at the SPIE International Conference, San Diego California, USA, August 2001.

Invited talk at the IoP Special Meeting, Optics of Microstructured and Nanostructured Materials, London, Nov 2001.

Invited talk at the British Association Invited Speaker for National Science Week, London, March 2000.

Invited talk at the Biomimetics III conference, University of Reading, Reading, Sep. 1998.

Invited talk at the The Rank Prize Funds Opto-electronic Materials for the New Millenium Conference, Grasmere, Yorkshire. (Conference prize for "Best Invited Talk"), Oct. 1998.

Invited talk at the Optical Design in Nature Conference, Bath University, Bath, July 1998.

Invited presentation, Royal Society Summer Exhibition, London. July 1998.

Book chapters

Luke, S. and Vukusic, P. (2012). Amorphous Nanophotonics in Nature.  In Amorphous Nanophotonics, Springer, London.

Large, M., Wickham, S., Polodian, P., and Vukusic, P., (2012) Control of iridescence in natural photonic structures: the case of butterfly scales. In Optical Biomimetics, Woodhead Publishing, Cambridge.

Vukusic, P. and Chittka, L. (2012). Visual Signals. In: R. F. Chapman s The Insects Structure and Function, 5th Edition (eds. Simpson, S. J. and Douglas, A. E.). Cambridge: Cambridge University Press.

 Vukusic P,. (2010) Advance photonic Systems on the wing-scales of Lepidoptera. In Functional Surfaces in Biology (S. Gorb Ed.) Springer Science and Business Media.

Vukusic P., Structural Colour Effects in Lepidoptera, (2006) chapter in Structural Colours in Biological Systems., Kinoshita S. and Yoshioka S. eds., Osaka University Press, 95-112,.

Vukusic P., (2003) Natural Coatings in Optical Interference Coatings, Springer Series in Optical Sciences, Volume 8.

Public engagement and science outreach activities

Science outreach awards:

Institute of Physics Bragg Medal 2014
Royal Society Kohn Award 2013
Institute of Physics Ireland Schools Lecturer 2011
British Association Lord Kelvin Award Lecturer 2008
Institute of Physics UK Schools Lecturer 2007

Lectures and seminars at Schools, Colleges and Societies:

Colyton Grammar School, invited lecture, 22nd November 2021.
International Youth Science Forum, invited memorial lecture, 4th August 2021.
The Exeter Mathematics School, invited Inspire lecture, 29th March 2021.
The Maynard School, Exeter, 22nd November 2019.
Tavistock Community Library, Tavistock, Devon, Saturday 9th August, 2019.
Dubai Internaitonal Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday 16th April, 2019.
Dubai English Speaking College (DESC), Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday 16th April, 2019.
GEMS Wellington International School, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Tuesday 16th April, 2019.
GEMS Modern Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday 15th April, 2019.
Dubai College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday 15th April, 2019.
GEMS World Academy, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday 15th April, 2019.
Universal American School, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Monday 15th April, 2019.
Jumeriah College, Dubai, United Arab Emirates, Sunday 14th April, 2019.
British International SChool of Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Thursday 11th April 2019.
Dome International School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday 9th April 2019.
MNS International School, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia, Tuesday 9th April 2019.
British International School of Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday 8th April 2019.
German International School, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday 8th April 2019.
Jeddah Prep and Grammar School, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia, Monday 8th April 2019.
Devon RSPB, 12th February, 2018.
University of the Third Age (U3A), 29th November 2018.
The Stokes Society Lecture, Pembroke College, Cambridge, 19th November 2018.
Cornwall School of Mathematics and Science, Camborne, 9th October 2018.
Sue Waring Memorial Lecture, Honiton Science Festival, Honiton, 17th April 2018.
The Maynard School, Exeter, 23rd February 2018.
Exploring Light & Colour Creations Masterclass, Exeter, 31st January 2017.
Simon Langton School (1st Schools Structural Colour Meeting), Canterbury, 1st December 2016.
Blundell's School Science Society, Tiverton, 24th November, 2016.
Exeter School Science Classes, 21st November 2016.
Museums at Night Festival, RAMM Exeter, 28th September 2016.
South Devon University Training College, 7th September, 2016.
Ogden Physics School Prize Winners Event, Exeter, 20th June, 2016.
Pint of Science, The Globe, Exeter, 25th May, 2016.
Exmouth Community College, Exeter, 13th April, 2016.
University of Exeter Research Uncovered, (representing CEMPS), 23rd February, 2016. 
Institute of Mechanical Engineers Christmas Lecture, Exeter, 10th December 2015.
Millfield School, sixth form science lecture, 26th November 2015.
Topsham Natural History Society public lecture, 13th November 2015.
Institute of Physics public lecture, Chelmsford, 4th November 2015.
King's College, Taunton, (Discover Kings event) 14th October 2015.
'A Little Light Music' concert and science evening, hosted by Teignmouth Science Cafe, 25th July 2015.
Exeter University Student Residential Scientist Programme, 23rd July, Exeter, 2015.
Royal Society, London, Invited talk and panel session at the Capturing Nature Meeting, part of the Royal Society Summer Exhibition, July 5th 2015.
Colyton School, Exeter, June 22nd, 2015.
St. Peter's School, Exeter, March 20th 2015.
International Year of Light public lecture, Exeter, March 19th 2015.
Rugby School, Rugby, Jan 22nd 2015.
Ivybridge Community College, Ivybridge, Jan 15th 2015.
Exeter Mathematics School, Exeter, Jan 5th 2015.
Simon Langton School, Canterbury, Kent, Dec 18th 2014.
CEMPS Christmas Science and Engineering Lecture Day, University of Exeter, Dec 16th 2014.
Lipson Community School, Plymouth, Nov 26th 2014.
Thorverton Primary School, Exeter, Nov 25th 2014.
Physics Uncovered, University of Exeter, Nov 11th 2014.
Exeter School, Nov 10th 2014.
Tiverton and Mid-Devon Astronomy Society, 3rd Oct., 2014.
Gravity Fields Festival, Grantham, 25th Sept., 2014.
Manchester High School for Girls, Manchester, 19th Sept., 2014
University of the Third Age (U3A), Exeter, 25th July 2014.
University of Exeter, Widening Participation Summer School (Yr 11), 24th July, 2014.
Hampshire Science Group, Alresford, 21st July 2014.
University of Exeter, Widening Participation Summer School (Yr 12), 16th July, 2014.
Cafe Scientifique, Sidmouth, July 15th, 2014.
University of Exeter "Britain Needs Scientists" day, Exeter, July 2nd, 2014.
Simon Langton Grammar School, Canterbury, 2nd April, 2014.
St. Luke's School, Exeter, March 18th, 2014.
Institute of Physics SW, Invited public lecture for the SW Science Festival, March 15th, 2014.
Bikeshed Theatre Public Science Lecture, Exeter, 5th March 2014.
Millfield School, Street, Fri 28th Feb 2014.
Licensed Victuallers' School, Ascot, 26th Feb 2014.
Topsham Birdwatching and Naturalist Society, Topsham, Feb 14th, 2014.
St. Peter's School, Exeter, Feb 5th, 2014.
Thorverton Primary School, Exeter, Dec 10th 2013.
Lipson Community College, Plymouth, Dec 6th, 2013.
Swansea University Christmas Science Lecture for Schools, Dec 3rd, 2013.
Honiton Community College, Nov 28th, 2013.
Devon Moths Society invited talk, Oct 25th, 2013.
All Saint's School, Plymouth, Oct. 22nd 2013.
Hampton School, London, Oct 15th 2013.
Oundle School, Oundle, Oct. 10th 2013.
Millfield School, Somerset, Oct. 1st 2013.
Collyers Sixth Form College, Sept. 21st, 2013.
University of Exeter "Britain Needs Scientists" day, Exeter, July 3rd, 2013.
Institute of Physics UK teachers' Annual Meeting, Rugby School, June 6th, 2013.
Exeter College Reach Academy, Exeter, May 22nd, 2013.
Bath Science Cafe, Bath, May 13th, 2013.
Charterhouse School Science Society, Godalming, May 9th, 2013.
Exeter School, Exeter, May 3rd, 2013.
La Sainte Union School, Highgate, April 17th, 2013.
Thorverton Primary School, Exeter, March 1st, 2013.
Maynard School, Exeter, Feb. 27th, 2013.
The Westgate School, Slough, Feb 4th 2013.
Sidmouth Comunity College, Sidmouth, Feb 1st, 2013.
Rugby School Science Lectures for Local Schools, Rugby, Jan 24th, 2013.

Tanzania School lecture programme (Morogoro region of central Tanzania).
Kilakala Secondary School, April 21st, 2014.
Mafiga Secondary School, April 22nd, 2014.
Sua Secondary School, April 22nd, 2014.
Kolahill Secondary School, April 23rd, 2014.
Lupanga Secondary School, April 23rd, 2014.
Nane Secondary School, April 24th, 2014.
Sumaye Secondary School, April 24th, 2014.

Malawi Schools lecture programme (Nkhata Bay Region, Northern Malawi) (part sponsored by the Institute of Physics and the University of Exeter):
Kalowa Comminity District Secondary School, Nov. 12th, 2012.
Tukombo Comminity District Secondary School, Nov. 12th, 2012.
Chifira Comminity District Secondary School, Nov. 13th, 2012.
Chinteche District Secondary School, Nov. 13th, 2012.
Tukombo Girls Secondary School, Nov. 14th, 2012.
Bandawe Girls Secondary School, Nov 14th, 2012.
Kapanda Comminity District Secondary School, Nov. 15th, 2012.
Bandawe Boys Secondary School, Nov., 15th, 2012.

Ethiopia Schools lecture programme (all schools located in the suburbs of Addis Ababa):
Bole Secondary School, May 7th, 2012.
Bole Community School (top classes), May 7th, 2012.
Bole Community School (middle classes), May 8th, 2012.
Kokobe Tsibha School, May 10th, 2012.
Dejazmach Wondirad School, May 11th, 2012.
Abiot Kirs Secondary School, May 11th, 2012.

Details for 2008 - 2012 to be uploaded shortly.

Cardiff University, Dec 12th, 2007.

Swansea University, Dec 11th, 2007.
Bristol University, Dec 7th, 2007.
Aberystwyth University, Dec 5th, 2007.

Plymouth High School, Nov 29th, 2007.
University of Central Lancashire, Nov 22nd, 2007.
Penwortham Girl's High, Preston, Nov 22nd, 2007.
St Aidan's, Carlisle, Nov 21st, 2007.
Ralph Allen School, Bath, Nov 7th, 2007.
Clayesmore School, Dorset, Nov 6th, 2007.
Highcliffe School, Christchurch, Nov 5th, 2007.

Hartlepool College of Further Education, Oct 18th, 2007.
Northumbria University, Oct 17th, 2007.
Prior Pursglove College, Guisborough, Oct 16th, 2007.
Plymouth SciBar, Oct 3rd, 2007.

Heriot-Watt University, Sept 11th, 2007.
St Andrews University, Sept 10th, 2007.
University of Aberdeen, Sept 7th, 2007.
Glasgow University, Sept 6th, 2007.

University of Salford, July 17th, 2007.
Exeter University, July 6th, 2007.
Hull Collegiate School, July 5th, 2007.
University of Sheffield, July 4th, 2007.

Queen Mary, University of London, June 28th, 2007.
University of Kent, June 27th, 2007.
Furtherwick Park School, Canvey Island, June 26th, 2007.

Salisbury Art Centre Café Scientifique, May 1st, 2007.

Blue Coat School, Oldham, April 20th , 2007.
CCLRC Daresbury Laboratory, April 19th , 2007.
University of Birmingham, April 18th, 2007.

La Sainte Union School, Highgate, March 22nd, 2007.
University of Hertfordshire, March 21st, 2007.
Luckley-Oakfield School, Wokingham, March 20th, 2007.
Blenheim High School, Epsom, March 19th, 2007.
Penair Science College, Truro, March 13th, 2007.
Bruton School for Girls, Somerset, March 12th, 2007.

Stroud High School, Feb 28th, 2007.
Newcastle Under Lyme School, Feb 27th, 2007.
Merchant Taylor’s Girls School, Merseyside, Feb 26th, 2007.
The Kings School, Peterborough, Feb 21st, 2007.
Colchester County High School for Girls, Feb 20th, 2007.
Falmouth Arts Centre Café Scientifique, Feb 13th, 2007.

St Johns's College, Southsea, Jan 30th, 2007.
University of Brighton, Jan 29th, 2007.

Victoria and Albert Museum, Exeter, Dec 9th, 2006.
Clifton College, Nov 23rd, 2006.

Online lectures and presentations

In the Company of Insects: science and a poem by Fiona Benson, comissioned by the Art and Culture Commission and the Uniersity of Exeter, June 2020.

"Facebook live event", an informal set of demos filmed in the Physics 3rd yr lab at the University of Exeter, Nov. 2017.

Biological Noise: inspiration from evolutionary photonics, Exeter, 2016.

Research Uncovered, "All Things Bright and Beautiful", filmed at The Bike Shed Theatre, March 5th, 2014.

Radcliffe Institute Smart Materials Symposium, Harvard University, Boston Nov. 15th, 2013.

"Light Fantastic", The Institute of Physics Schools Lecture, 2007. (filmed at  Queen Mary College, University of London, in front of pupils and teachers from four visiting schools).

Seminars and Presentations

Invited Seminars.

German Young Chemists Network, University of Oldenberg, 25th Feb. 2021.

Plymouth College of Arts, 26th February 2020.

Max Planck Institute for the Science of LightDistinguished Lecturer Series, 28th November 2019.

University of Exeter, Penryn Campus, Widening Participation Meeting, Jan 26th, 2016.

Unilever Oral Healthcare Symposium, London, Jan 25th, 2016.

Dept. of Physics and Astronomy, University of Sheffield, Colloquium, Dec. 9th 2015.

Dept. of Physics, University of Bristol, Departmental Colloquium, Sept. 13th 2015.

Unilever Research Institute Colworth Science Park, Sept. 8th 2015.

Institute of Physics, Belgrade, Serbia, Invited lecture, April 16th 2015.

Dept. of Genetics and Evolution, University of Geneva, Invited Lecture, Nov 28th 2014.

Faculty oif Science, University of Bristol, Invited lecture, Nov. 19th 2014.

Dept. of Physics, University of Dar es Salaam, Tanzania, Invited lecture, April 2014.

School of Biosciences, University of Baltimore, Baltimore, US, Invited lecture. Nov. 2013.

Advanced Technology Institute, University of Surrey, Surrey, UK, Invited lecture. Oct. 2013.

Devon Moths Group, Kennford, Exeter, Invited lecture. Oct. 2013.

Institut für Textiltechnik (ITA) der RWTH Aachen, Germany, Invited Talk, Sept. 18th 2013.

Emergent Design in Biological and Bioinspired Materials: Beyond the Rule of Mixtures Workshop, MIT, Boston, US, Sept. 6th 2013. 

Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China, Invited talk, Aug. 20th, 2013.

Hope Study College, Shanghai, China, Sept. 22nd, 2013.

Bausch & Lomb Key Opinion Leaders meeting, Invited talk, Shanghai, China, Aug. 23rd 2013.

IoP Annual Physics Teachers' Meeting, Rugby School, Invited talk, UK, June 6th 2013.

Bath Science Cafe, Bath, UK.  Invited talk, May 13th 2013.

Paul Scherrer Institute, Switzerland, Invited Talk, April 5th, 2013.

Eulji University, Dept. of Optometry, Seoul, South Korea, March 8th, 2013.

Bath Royal Literary and Scientific Institution. Invited lecture. April 2012.

University of Cambridge, Dept. of Zoology, Invited talk. March 2012.

Advanced Photon Source Facility, Chicago US. Invited talk.  March 2012.

Royal Institution, London.  Invited talk. February 2012.

Clarendon Labs, Oxford, Invited talk. January 2012.

University of Erlangen, Dept. of Physics, Germany. Invited talk. Dec 2011.

Marblorough College, Invited talk. Nov. 2011.

Defence Academy of the United Kingdom, Cranfield UK. Invited seminar. Sept. 2011.

Harvard University, Kavli Research Centre, Boston, US. Invited colloquium.  Sept. 2011.

Proctor & Gamble plc, Egham Research Centre, Invited talk. July 2011.

Exeter College Science Dept. Invited talk. May 2011.

Carlow institute of Technology, Ireland, Invited talk, March 2011.

University of Bristol, Dept. of Biosciences, March 2011.

University of Manchester, Dept. of Physics, March 2011.

Thornhill College, Derry, Ireland, March 2011.

Queens University Belfast, Ireland, Feb. 2011.

Royal Dublin Society, Dublin, Ireland, Feb. 2011.

University of Limerick, Jan. 2011.

Waterford Institute of Technology, Jan 2011.

University College Cork, Ireland, Jan 2011.

IoP South-east section, public meeting for science outreach, Dec. 2010.

Harvard Univeristy, Dept. of Engineering, Biomimetics Group, Harvard, Nov. 2010.

Launceston Cafe Scientifique, Oct. 2010.

University of Braga, Dept. of Physics, April 2010.

University of Chicago, Dept. of Biosciences, April 2010.

University of Hull, School of Physics, Jan. 2011

Paul Scherrer Institute, Zurich, Dec. 2010.

University of Bangor, School of Physics and Chemistry, Nov, 2010.

University of Nottingham, Dept. of Physics, Oct. 2010.

ETH (University) Zurich, Dept. of Physics and Engineering, Oct. 2010.

School of Chemistry, University of Hull, UK. Invited Talk. Feb. 2010.

Paul Scherrer Inst., Zurich, Switzerland. Invited Talk. Dec. 2009. Invited Talk.

School of Engineering, University of Harvard, Boston, US. Invited Talk. Nov. 2009.

School of Physics, University of Joensuu, Finland. Invited Talk. Nov. 2009.

School of Chemistry, University of Bangor, Wales, UK. Invited Talk. Nov. 2009.

School of Physics, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, UK. Invited Talk. Oct. 2009.

ETH (Swiss Federal Inst. of Technology), Zurich. Switzerland. Invited Talk. Oct. 2009

Imperial College Physics Department, London. Invited Talk. July 2009.

University of Birmingham School of Physics, Birmingham. Invited Talk. May 2009.

University of Zurich, Dept of Physics, Zurich. Invited Talk. March 2009.

Cavendish Labs (Biosciences), Cambridge. Invited Talk. Jan 26th, 2009.

Cambridge University Physics Society, Invited Lecture, Jan 9th, 2009.

Animal Behaviour Group, School of Psychology, Univ. of Exeter. Invited Talk. Jan 2009.

Shonan Scientific Research Institute, Tokyo, Japan. Invited Talk. Oct. 2008.

Daresbury Laboratories, UK. Invited Talk. Oct. 2008.

Manchester University School of Physics, Manchester, UK. Invited Talk. Oct. 2008.

Cavendish Labs (Physics), University of Cambridge, UK. Invited Talk. Oct 2008.

School of Physics, University of Kent, Canterbury, UK. Invited Talk. Nov. 2008.

Marine Research Labs, Plymouth UK. Invited Talk. Dec. 2008.

Institute for Atomic and Molecular Physics (AMOLF), Amsterdam, Holland. Invited Talk. Jan 2008.

Department of Engineering, University of Princeton, New Jersey, US. Invited Talk. Jan 2008.

Institute for Materials Research, University of Salford, Manchester. Invited Talk. July 2007.

National Physical Laboratory, London. Invited Talk. June 2007.

Falmouth School of Art and Design, UK. Invited Talk. February 2007.

Department of Physics, National University of Ireland, Galway, Eire. Invited Talk. Nov 2006.

Department of Physics, Queen's University Belfast, N Ireland. Invited Talk. Nov 2006.

Department of Physics, Trinity College Dublin, Eire. Invited Talk. Dec 2006.

Department of Physics, University of Durham, Durham, UK. Invited Talk. Nov 2006.

School of Physics and Astronomy, University of Cardiff, Cardiff, UK. Invited Talk. Oct 2006.

Department of Cell and Organism Biology - Zoology, University of Lund, Sweden. Invited Talk. Sept 2006.

Center for Biologically-Inspired Design, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, US. Invited Talk. August 2006

Anglo-French Scientific Seminar, French Embassy, London, UK. Invited Talk. May 2006.

School of Physics, University of Bath, Bath, UK.  Invited Talk. May 2006.

Society of Mathematics and Physics, University of Rijeka, Rijeka, Croatia. Invited Talk. April 2006.

The Rude Boskevic Institute, Zagreb, Croatia. Invited Talk. April 2006.

Royal Albert Museum, Exeter, UK. Invited Talk. March 2006.

National Science Week Lecture Day, "Science in Stocks; Art in the Docks", Exeter. Invited Talk. March 2006.

Colour Vision Group Meeting, Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK. Invited Talk. Jan 2006.

The Cavendish Laboratory, University of Cambridge, UK. Invited Talk. November 2005.

School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Queensland, Australia. Invited Talk. Jan 2005.

Department of Physics, University College London. Invited Talk. January 2005.

Department of Biology, University of Brighton. Invited Talk. December 2004.

School of Physics and Astronomy, Manchester University. Invited Talk. Dec 2004.

School of Biological Sciences, University of Buffalo, NY, US. Invited Talk. Oct 2004.

Department of Biology, University at Albany, NY, US. Invited Talk. Oct 2004.

British Association Festival of Science, Exeter University. Invited Talk. Sep 2004.

School of Physics and Astronomy, Sheffield University. Invited Talk. March 2004.

School of Life Sciences, Phoenix, Arizona State University, US. Invited Talk. July 2004.

The Maxwell Lecture; King’s College, London. Invited Talk. Jan 2004.

School of Physical Sciences, Osaka, Japan. Invited Talk. Nov 2003.

School of Biological Sciences, University of Bristol, UK. Invited Talk. Dec 2002.

Institute of Physics SW Branch. Invited Talk. Nov 2002.

The Natural History Museum, London. Invited Talk. June 2002.

The Science Museum, London. Invited Talk. March 2002.

School of Physics, University of Warwick, UK. Invited Talk. Feb 2002.

Institute of Physics Special Meeting, Optics of Nanostructured Materials, London. Invited Talk. Nov 2001.

Taking a Small Look at Life, invited exhibit at the DTI & Research Councils' Meeting. Invited Talk. Jan 2001.

British Association Youth Section; Invited Speaker for National Science Week, London. Invited Talk. March 2000.

School of Physics, Sydney University, Sydney, Australia. Invited Talk. Jan 1999.

CSIRO Division of Applied Physics, Sydney, Australia. Invited Talk. Dec 1998.

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