Philip Campbell (scientist)
Encyclopedia
Philip Campbell is the editor-in-chief of the science journal, Nature
, and of the Nature Publishing Group
.
with a Bachelor of Science
(BSc) degree in aeronautical engineering in 1972. He then gained a Master of Science
(MSc) in astrophysics
at Queen Mary College
, University of London
before doing his PhD in upper atmospheric physics at the University of Leicester
. His doctoral and postdoctoral research was on the physics of the ionized upper atmosphere and effects on radio propagation, using the latter as a probe of the lower ionosphere.
in 1979 and was appointed physical sciences editor in 1982. After leaving the journal in 1988 to start the publication Physics World
, the membership magazine of the Institute of Physics, he returned to Nature as Editor-in-Chief in 1995. He heads a team of about 90 editorial staff around the world. He takes direct editorial responsibility for the content of Nature's editorials, writing some of them. He is the seventh editor-in-chief since the journal was launched in 1869. His role is to ensure that the quality and integrity appropriate to the Nature name are maintained, and that appropriate individuals are appointed as chief editors. He sits on the executive board of Natures parent company, Nature Publishing Group.
and the U.S. National Institutes of Health
. He is also a trustee of the charity Cancer Research UK
and the chairman of the charity's Public Policy Advisory Group. He was a visiting scholar at Rockefeller University in spring 2008.
Campbell was appointed a member of an independent panel established in February 2010 by the University of East Anglia
to investigate the controversy surrounding the publication of emails sent by staff at the university's Climatic Research Unit
(CRU). Due to publicity about a 2009 interview with Chinese State Radio during which he expressed support for the CRU scientists, he resigned just hours after the panel was launched.
(elected in 1979), and of the Institute of Physics
(elected in 1995). In 1999 he was awarded an honorary
Doctor of Science
degree by the University of Leicester, an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Bristol in 2008, and an honorary fellowship of Queen Mary, University of London, in 2009. He was also elected an Associate of Clare Hall, Cambridge University.
, the biographical music discussion programme on BBC Radio 3
.
Nature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
, and of the Nature Publishing Group
Nature Publishing Group
Nature Publishing Group is an international publishing company that publishes academic journals, online databases, and services across the life, physical, chemical and applied sciences and clinical medicine...
.
Education
Campbell graduated from the University of BristolUniversity of Bristol
The University of Bristol is a public research university located in Bristol, United Kingdom. One of the so-called "red brick" universities, it received its Royal Charter in 1909, although its predecessor institution, University College, Bristol, had been in existence since 1876.The University is...
with a Bachelor of Science
Bachelor of Science
A Bachelor of Science is an undergraduate academic degree awarded for completed courses that generally last three to five years .-Australia:In Australia, the BSc is a 3 year degree, offered from 1st year on...
(BSc) degree in aeronautical engineering in 1972. He then gained a Master of Science
Master of Science
A Master of Science is a postgraduate academic master's degree awarded by universities in many countries. The degree is typically studied for in the sciences including the social sciences.-Brazil, Argentina and Uruguay:...
(MSc) in astrophysics
Astrophysics
Astrophysics is the branch of astronomy that deals with the physics of the universe, including the physical properties of celestial objects, as well as their interactions and behavior...
at Queen Mary College
Queen Mary, University of London
Queen Mary, University of London is a public research university located in London, United Kingdom and a constituent college of the federal University of London...
, University of London
University of London
-20th century:Shortly after 6 Burlington Gardens was vacated, the University went through a period of rapid expansion. Bedford College, Royal Holloway and the London School of Economics all joined in 1900, Regent's Park College, which had affiliated in 1841 became an official divinity school of the...
before doing his PhD in upper atmospheric physics at the University of Leicester
University of Leicester
The University of Leicester is a research-led university based in Leicester, England. The main campus is a mile south of the city centre, adjacent to Victoria Park and Wyggeston and Queen Elizabeth I College....
. His doctoral and postdoctoral research was on the physics of the ionized upper atmosphere and effects on radio propagation, using the latter as a probe of the lower ionosphere.
Career
Born in 1951, Campbell began working at NatureNature (journal)
Nature, first published on 4 November 1869, is ranked the world's most cited interdisciplinary scientific journal by the Science Edition of the 2010 Journal Citation Reports...
in 1979 and was appointed physical sciences editor in 1982. After leaving the journal in 1988 to start the publication Physics World
Physics World
Physics World is the membership magazine of the Institute of Physics, one of the largest physical societies in the world. It is an international monthly magazine covering all areas of physics, both pure and applied, and is aimed at physicists in research, industry and education worldwide...
, the membership magazine of the Institute of Physics, he returned to Nature as Editor-in-Chief in 1995. He heads a team of about 90 editorial staff around the world. He takes direct editorial responsibility for the content of Nature's editorials, writing some of them. He is the seventh editor-in-chief since the journal was launched in 1869. His role is to ensure that the quality and integrity appropriate to the Nature name are maintained, and that appropriate individuals are appointed as chief editors. He sits on the executive board of Natures parent company, Nature Publishing Group.
Other work
Campbell has worked on issues relating to science and its impacts in society with the Office of Science and Innovation in the UK, the European CommissionEuropean Commission
The European Commission is the executive body of the European Union. The body is responsible for proposing legislation, implementing decisions, upholding the Union's treaties and the general day-to-day running of the Union....
and the U.S. National Institutes of Health
National Institutes of Health
The National Institutes of Health are an agency of the United States Department of Health and Human Services and are the primary agency of the United States government responsible for biomedical and health-related research. Its science and engineering counterpart is the National Science Foundation...
. He is also a trustee of the charity Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK
Cancer Research UK is a cancer research and awareness charity in the United Kingdom, formed on 4 February 2002 by the merger of The Cancer Research Campaign and the Imperial Cancer Research Fund. Its aim is to reduce the number of deaths from cancer. As the world's largest independent cancer...
and the chairman of the charity's Public Policy Advisory Group. He was a visiting scholar at Rockefeller University in spring 2008.
Campbell was appointed a member of an independent panel established in February 2010 by the University of East Anglia
University of East Anglia
The University of East Anglia is a public research university based in Norwich, United Kingdom. It was established in 1963, and is a founder-member of the 1994 Group of research-intensive universities.-History:...
to investigate the controversy surrounding the publication of emails sent by staff at the university's Climatic Research Unit
Climatic Research Unit
The Climatic Research Unit is a component of the University of East Anglia and is one of the leading institutions concerned with the study of natural and anthropogenic climate change....
(CRU). Due to publicity about a 2009 interview with Chinese State Radio during which he expressed support for the CRU scientists, he resigned just hours after the panel was launched.
Fellowships and honours
Campbell is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical SocietyRoyal Astronomical Society
The Royal Astronomical Society is a learned society that began as the Astronomical Society of London in 1820 to support astronomical research . It became the Royal Astronomical Society in 1831 on receiving its Royal Charter from William IV...
(elected in 1979), and of the Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
(elected in 1995). In 1999 he was awarded an honorary
Honorary degree
An honorary degree or a degree honoris causa is an academic degree for which a university has waived the usual requirements, such as matriculation, residence, study, and the passing of examinations...
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science
Doctor of Science , usually abbreviated Sc.D., D.Sc., S.D. or Dr.Sc., is an academic research degree awarded in a number of countries throughout the world. In some countries Doctor of Science is the name used for the standard doctorate in the sciences, elsewhere the Sc.D...
degree by the University of Leicester, an honorary Doctor of Science by the University of Bristol in 2008, and an honorary fellowship of Queen Mary, University of London, in 2009. He was also elected an Associate of Clare Hall, Cambridge University.
Miscellaneous
In January 2010 he was a guest on Private PassionsPrivate Passions
Private Passions is a weekly music discussion programme which has been running for over 10 years on BBC Radio 3, presented by the composer Michael Berkeley...
, the biographical music discussion programme on BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3
BBC Radio 3 is a national radio station operated by the BBC within the United Kingdom. Its output centres on classical music and opera, but jazz, world music, drama, culture and the arts also feature. The station is the world’s most significant commissioner of new music, and its New Generation...
.