Professor James Hanley Clark stands as a preeminent figure in the global advancement of sustainable chemistry and green chemical technologies. He currently serves as Senior Professor of Chemistry at the University of York, where he has maintained a distinguished academic career since 1979, and holds the position of Chair Professor at Fudan University in China. As the Founding Director of the world-leading Green Chemistry Centre of Excellence, he established one of the premier research hubs dedicated to environmentally sustainable chemical processes and technologies. His visionary leadership extended to founding the Circa Renewable Chemistry Institute, creating platforms that bridge academic research with industrial application in green chemistry.
Professor Clark's groundbreaking research has fundamentally transformed approaches to chemical manufacturing through the development of sustainable alternatives to traditional petroleum-based resources. His pioneering work in waste valorisation has demonstrated innovative methods for converting agricultural residues and biorefinery wastes into valuable chemicals, with his research on wheat straw processing representing a significant breakthrough in biomass utilization. He developed Starbons® technology, creating novel mesoporous carbon materials from renewable starch resources that offer sustainable alternatives to conventional activated carbons. With over 600 publications and an impressive h-index of 95, his scientific contributions have established foundational principles for green solvent systems, heterogeneous catalysis in aqueous environments, and sustainable polymer production.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Clark has been instrumental in shaping the global green chemistry movement through his founding roles in key scholarly infrastructure. He established the award-winning journal Green Chemistry and created the Green Chemistry Network, significantly expanding the field's academic and industrial reach. His entrepreneurial spirit has translated research into practical applications through founding Starbons Ltd and serving as Chair of Addible Ltd, demonstrating the commercial viability of green chemistry innovations. Recognized with the prestigious RSC Green Chemistry Prize in 2018 and the European Sustainable Chemistry award in 2021, his influence continues to grow as he leads efforts in advancing circular economy principles and sustainable bio-based chemical production worldwide.
