Tom Welton stands as a preeminent figure in sustainable chemistry and a distinguished Professor at Imperial College London where he has shaped academic leadership and scientific discourse for decades. Born in January 1964, he grew up on a North London council estate and was the first in his family to attend university, earning his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sussex in 1985. He completed his PhD at Sussex in 1990 under Kenneth Seddon's supervision, establishing the foundation for his impactful career in sustainable chemistry. His leadership journey at Imperial College London includes serving as Head of the Department of Chemistry from 2007 to 2014 and Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences from 2015 to 2019. He further elevated his professional standing by serving as President of the Royal Society of Chemistry from 2020 to 2022 and currently serves as their Ambassador for Sustainable Chemicals Policy.
Tom Welton is internationally recognized for his pioneering research in sustainable and green chemistry, having published over 150 scholarly papers that have significantly advanced the field. His scientific contributions center on the innovative application of ionic liquids across organic, inorganic, and physical chemistry domains, with particular focus on their fundamental properties as alternative solvents and electrolytes. He has made substantial progress in developing clean synthesis and processing methods for biomass-derived polymers to replace petrochemical-based plastics, addressing critical environmental challenges. His work demonstrates how ionic liquids can transform industrial chemical processes to be more environmentally sustainable while maintaining economic viability. Through rigorous experimental approaches and theoretical insights, Professor Welton has established himself as a leading authority on sustainable chemical processes and solvent design.
Beyond his research achievements, Professor Welton is a vocal champion of inclusion and diversity in the chemical sciences, nominated as one of the Royal Society of Chemistry's 175 Faces of Chemistry during their anniversary celebrations. He currently serves as Editor-in-Chief of RSC Sustainability and sits on the advisory board of Chemical Science, guiding scholarly discourse in his field. As an openly gay scientist, he actively advocates for greater visibility and representation of LGBT community members in scientific disciplines, having served on the UKRI Equality, Diversity and Inclusion External Advisory Group from 2018 to 2021. His leadership extends to policy influence, where he consistently emphasizes the human cost of inaction on chemical waste and advocates for sustainable chemical legacy. Professor Welton continues to drive the chemistry community toward more responsible practices while mentoring the next generation of scientists committed to environmental stewardship and social responsibility.
