Prof Ebdon VC Profile

PROFILE

Professor Les Ebdon, Vice Chancellor

Professor Les Ebdon obtained both his BSc and PhD at Imperial College, London. After lectureships at Makerere University, Kampala and Sheffield City Polytechnic, he joined what is now the University of Plymouth in 1981 as Reader in Analytical Chemistry.

He was promoted to a personal chair in 1986 and to Head of Department of Environmental Sciences in 1989. Later that year he was promoted to Deputy Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development).

Professor Ebdon was appointed Vice Chancellor and Chief Executive of the University of Luton in 2003. On August 1 2006 he became VC of the University of Bedfordshire.

Professor Ebdon's research interests are in environmental analytical chemistry and his various contributions to our understanding of the behaviour and importance of trace elements in the environment have led to over 250 publications and to several awards.

In 1986 he was the Royal Society of Chemistry, Analytical division, School's Lecturer and later in that same year was awarded the 13th SAC Silver Medal by the Royal Society of Chemistry.

In 1995 the American Microchemical Society awarded him the Benedetti-Pichler medal for outstanding contributions to microchemistry.

Professor Ebdon is an internationally recognised expert on environmental analytical chemistry, recognised for his work on trace element speciation in environmental samples, the application of inductively coupled plasma-mass spectrometry to environmental analysis; for his work on sensors and validation and certification.

He has been invited to be a plenary lecturer at conferences on six continents and is a member of numerous scientific organising committees.

He is a member of the DTI's Measurement Advisory committee and Chair of a Sub Committee, and he is also a member of the European Union DGXII Certification Working Group, known particularly for his expertise on environmental certified reference materials.

He is a member of the Advisory Board of the Central Science Laboratory of DEFRA.

Professor Ebdon has served, or is serving on eleven editorial boards including the Journal Analytical Atomic Spectrometry, Journal of Automated Methods & Management in Chemistry and ICP Information Newsletter.

He is currently Chair of Chemistry World Editorial Board and a Member of the Publications Board of the Royal Society of Chemistry.

The recipient of several awards, Professor Ebdon also serves on many scientific boards including the Council of the Royal Society of Chemistry and chairs the Strategy and Resources Board.

He is a member of the Structure and Bonding College of the EPSRC and has chaired various EPRC committees and served on many Royal Society of Chemistry, National Environmental Research Committees, Ministry of Agriculture Fisheries and Food and DTI Review Groups.

Professor Ebdon is also a member of various Universities UK Groups and the Bedfordshire and Luton Learning and Skills Council.