As part of The Box's Plastic Free Day, inspired by the Planet Ocean exhibition, hear from leading expert and 'Godfather' of microplastics research,
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS , Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth.
Richard is a world-leading marine scientist and is at the forefront of pioneering research into the causes and effects of marine litter. He founded and heads the University’s
International Marine Litter Research Unit , which has charted the global distribution of microplastics from Arctic sea ice to the deep seas.
In 2019, the University was awarded the
The Queen's Anniversary Prize for the pioneering research of Richard and his colleagues on marine microplastics pollution and its impact on the environment and changing behaviour.
Richard was recently named in the inaugural TIME100 Health list as one of the most influential individuals leading change in health. The list – compiled by TIME magazine – honours the 100 most influential individuals leading change in health, spotlighting doctors, scientists, business leaders, advocates, and more who its editors say are not just at the cutting edge of the health industry but are sharpening it themselves.
Honours
Richard was presented with the 2023 Blue Planet Prize in recognition of his groundbreaking research and ongoing work with colleagues in the UK and worldwide. He was awarded an OBE for his services to marine science in 2017 and the 2017 Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation for his pioneering research into microplastics.
Richard was presented with the 2023 Blue Planet Prize in recognition of his groundbreaking research and ongoing work with colleagues in the UK and worldwide. He was awarded an OBE for his services to marine science in 2017 and the 2017 Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation for his pioneering research into microplastics.