Professor Ventsislav Valev, head of the Department of Physics, has been admitted as a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC). This honour recognises his exceptional contributions to interdisciplinary research at the interface of physics and chemistry.

Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry is awarded to individuals who have made a substantial contribution to the chemical sciences through research, innovation, leadership or service to the profession. It is one of the highest recognitions within the field, reserved for those who have demonstrated excellence and leadership in advancing chemical knowledge and its applications.

Professor Valev’s research focuses on optics, photonics, nanophotonics, plasmonics and the fundamental study of chirality in nanostructures – areas that closely link physical and chemical sciences. His work explores how light interacts with matter at the nanoscale and contributes important insights to fields ranging from materials science to biomedical technologies. Through pioneering research on nonlinear optical activity and the design of optically active nanoparticles, Professor Valev has bridged disciplinary boundaries and expanded the scope of how physical methods can be used to probe and manipulate chemical systems.

Reflecting on the achievement, Professor Matthew Jones, head of the Department of Chemistry, said: "I am delighted to see Professor Valev’s interdisciplinary achievements recognised with the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Chemistry. His work on chirality exemplifies the spirit of collaboration, showing how the most exciting scientific advances often emerge at the intersections of disciplines. This Fellowship is not only a testament to Professor Valev’s outstanding contributions but also a celebration of the strength of interdisciplinary research at Bath."

Professor Valev’s admission as an FRSC underlines the growing importance of interdisciplinary collaboration across departments and highlights the Faculty of Science’s commitment to research that pushes traditional boundaries.

His work is presented in over 110 research papers, many appearing in top scientific journals. His contribution has been recognised with Fellowships of the Institute of Physics, SPIE and Optica. His team was awarded the 2022 Horizon Prize from the Faraday Division of the Royal Society of Chemistry and in 2023 he received (jointly) the Thomas Young Medal of the Institute of Physics. He has communicated his passion for physics to the general public through interviews (on television, radio and the press), articles and over 80 visits to primary schools, for which he was awarded the Vice-Chancellor's Award for Public Engagement with Research in 2018.