James Stirling (academic)
Encyclopedia
Professor William James Stirling CBE
, FRS, CPhys, FInstP (born 4th February 1953) is Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy
, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory
, and Fellow
of Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
. He was previously Professor in Mathematical Sciences and Physics, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Director for Sciences at the Institute of Advanced Study
at Durham University
.
and grew up in Glengormley
, Co. Antrim, attending first Glengormley Primary School and then Belfast Royal Academy
. He was admitted as an undergraduate to Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1972, taking a First in Part IB and Part II of the Mathematical Tripos and a Distinction in Part III. He graduated BA
in 1975, and continued at Peterhouse to take a PhD
(1979) in Theoretical Particle Physics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. He won a Smith's Prize
for Mathematics in 1978.
After periods of research in the USA, Cambridge and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN
) in Geneva, Professor Stirling was appointed to a lectureship at Durham University in 1986. In 2000 he became the first Director of the University's new Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP), which together with the Institute for Computational Cosmology, forms part of the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the first Chair of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
Science Committee, the research council's top-level scientific advisory committee. He was a member of the Physics Sub-Panel in two Research Assessment Exercises
(2001 and 2008) and was Deputy Chair of the 2008 panel.
Professor Stirling's research area is theoretical particle physics
. In a research career spanning more than 30 years, he has published more than 300 research papers, including some of the most frequently cited papers in the physical sciences. His particular research interest is particle physics phenomenology – the interface between theory and experiment – and he works closely with experimentalists at research laboratories in Europe and the United States. He is a member of the internationally renowned MSTW collaboration that studies the ‘parton
’ structure of the proton
.
In recognition of his contribution to particle physics research, Professor Stirling was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society
in May 1999. He was awarded a CBE
in the 2006 New Years Honours list, for services to science. He was a member of the Council of the Royal Society in 2007-8, and currently (2009 - ) serves on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council
(STFC
).
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
, FRS, CPhys, FInstP (born 4th February 1953) is Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy
Jacksonian Professor of Natural Philosophy
The Jacksonian Professorship of Natural Philosophy is one of the senior chairs in Natural and Experimental philosophy at Cambridge University, and was founded in 1782 by a bequest from the Reverend Richard Jackson....
, Head of the Cavendish Laboratory
Cavendish Laboratory
The Cavendish Laboratory is the Department of Physics at the University of Cambridge, and is part of the university's School of Physical Sciences. It was opened in 1874 as a teaching laboratory....
, and Fellow
Fellow
A fellow in the broadest sense is someone who is an equal or a comrade. The term fellow is also used to describe a person, particularly by those in the upper social classes. It is most often used in an academic context: a fellow is often part of an elite group of learned people who are awarded...
of Peterhouse in the University of Cambridge
University of Cambridge
The University of Cambridge is a public research university located in Cambridge, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest university in both the United Kingdom and the English-speaking world , and the seventh-oldest globally...
. He was previously Professor in Mathematical Sciences and Physics, Pro-Vice-Chancellor for Research and Director for Sciences at the Institute of Advanced Study
Institute of Advanced Study (Durham)
The Institute of Advanced Study is a research centre of Durham University. The IAS has been set up to bring researchers from across the world to collaborate on cutting edge research. The IAS was set up to mark Durham's 175th anniversary and will be housed in the Grade I listed Bishop Cosins Hall...
at Durham University
Durham University
The University of Durham, commonly known as Durham University, is a university in Durham, England. It was founded by Act of Parliament in 1832 and granted a Royal Charter in 1837...
.
Biography
He was born in BelfastBelfast
Belfast is the capital of and largest city in Northern Ireland. By population, it is the 14th biggest city in the United Kingdom and second biggest on the island of Ireland . It is the seat of the devolved government and legislative Northern Ireland Assembly...
and grew up in Glengormley
Glengormley
Glengormley or Glengormly is the name of a townland and electoral ward in County Antrim, Northern Ireland. Glengormley is within the urban area called Newtownabbey and the wider Newtownabbey Borough.-Location:...
, Co. Antrim, attending first Glengormley Primary School and then Belfast Royal Academy
Belfast Royal Academy
The Belfast Royal Academy is the oldest school in the city of Belfast, Northern Ireland. It is a co-educational, non-denominational voluntary grammar school situated in north Belfast. The Academy is one of eight Northern Irish schools whose Headmaster is a member of the Headmasters' and...
. He was admitted as an undergraduate to Peterhouse, Cambridge University, in 1972, taking a First in Part IB and Part II of the Mathematical Tripos and a Distinction in Part III. He graduated BA
Bachelor of Arts
A Bachelor of Arts , from the Latin artium baccalaureus, is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate course or program in either the liberal arts, the sciences, or both...
in 1975, and continued at Peterhouse to take a PhD
Doctor of Philosophy
Doctor of Philosophy, abbreviated as Ph.D., PhD, D.Phil., or DPhil , in English-speaking countries, is a postgraduate academic degree awarded by universities...
(1979) in Theoretical Particle Physics in the Department of Applied Mathematics and Theoretical Physics. He won a Smith's Prize
Smith's Prize
The Smith's Prize was the name of each of two prizes awarded annually to two research students in theoretical Physics, mathematics and applied mathematics at the University of Cambridge, Cambridge, England.- History :...
for Mathematics in 1978.
After periods of research in the USA, Cambridge and the European Organization for Nuclear Research (CERN
CERN
The European Organization for Nuclear Research , known as CERN , is an international organization whose purpose is to operate the world's largest particle physics laboratory, which is situated in the northwest suburbs of Geneva on the Franco–Swiss border...
) in Geneva, Professor Stirling was appointed to a lectureship at Durham University in 1986. In 2000 he became the first Director of the University's new Institute for Particle Physics Phenomenology (IPPP), which together with the Institute for Computational Cosmology, forms part of the Ogden Centre for Fundamental Physics. From 2001 to 2003, he served as the first Chair of the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council
The Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council was one of a number of Research Councils in the United Kingdom. It directed, coordinated and funded research in particle physics and astronomy for the people of the UK...
Science Committee, the research council's top-level scientific advisory committee. He was a member of the Physics Sub-Panel in two Research Assessment Exercises
Research Assessment Exercise
The Research Assessment Exercise is an exercise undertaken approximately every 5 years on behalf of the four UK higher education funding councils to evaluate the quality of research undertaken by British higher education institutions...
(2001 and 2008) and was Deputy Chair of the 2008 panel.
Professor Stirling's research area is theoretical particle physics
Particle physics
Particle physics is a branch of physics that studies the existence and interactions of particles that are the constituents of what is usually referred to as matter or radiation. In current understanding, particles are excitations of quantum fields and interact following their dynamics...
. In a research career spanning more than 30 years, he has published more than 300 research papers, including some of the most frequently cited papers in the physical sciences. His particular research interest is particle physics phenomenology – the interface between theory and experiment – and he works closely with experimentalists at research laboratories in Europe and the United States. He is a member of the internationally renowned MSTW collaboration that studies the ‘parton
Parton
Parton may refer to:Physics*Parton , is the name for a particlePeople*Dick Parton , Australian rules footballer*Dolly Parton, American country singer, songwriter, composer, author, and actress...
’ structure of the proton
Proton
The proton is a subatomic particle with the symbol or and a positive electric charge of 1 elementary charge. One or more protons are present in the nucleus of each atom, along with neutrons. The number of protons in each atom is its atomic number....
.
In recognition of his contribution to particle physics research, Professor Stirling was elected to the Fellowship of the Royal Society
Royal Society
The Royal Society of London for Improving Natural Knowledge, known simply as the Royal Society, is a learned society for science, and is possibly the oldest such society in existence. Founded in November 1660, it was granted a Royal Charter by King Charles II as the "Royal Society of London"...
in May 1999. He was awarded a CBE
CBE
CBE and C.B.E. are abbreviations for "Commander of the Order of the British Empire", a grade in the Order of the British Empire.Other uses include:* Chemical and Biochemical Engineering...
in the 2006 New Years Honours list, for services to science. He was a member of the Council of the Royal Society in 2007-8, and currently (2009 - ) serves on the Council of the Science and Technology Facilities Council
Science and Technology Facilities Council
The Science and Technology Facilities Council is a UK government body that carries out civil research in science and engineering, and funds UK research in areas including particle physics, nuclear physics, space science and astronomy .-History:It was formed in April 2007 as a merger of the Particle...
(STFC
STFC
STFC can stand for:* Science and Technology Facilities Council, a UK research council created by the merger of the Council for the Central Laboratory of the Research Councils and the Particle Physics and Astronomy Research Council on 1 April 2007* Star Trek: First Contact, a 1996 filmSTFC may...
).