Jeffrey Robert Forshaw (born 1968) is a British
particle physicist with a special interest in
quantum chromodynamics (QCD): the study of the behaviour of subatomic particles, using data from the
HERA particle accelerator,
Tevatron
The Tevatron was a circular particle accelerator (active until 2011) in the United States, at the Fermi National Accelerator Laboratory (also known as ''Fermilab''), east of Batavia, Illinois, and is the second highest energy particle collider ...
particle accelerator
A particle accelerator is a machine that uses electromagnetic fields to propel charged particles to very high speeds and energies, and to contain them in well-defined beams.
Large accelerators are used for fundamental research in particle ...
and the
Large Hadron Collider (LHC) at
CERN.
Since 2004 he has been professor of
particle physics
Particle physics or high energy physics is the study of fundamental particles and forces that constitute matter and radiation. The fundamental particles in the universe are classified in the Standard Model as fermions (matter particles) an ...
in the
School of Physics and Astronomy at the
University of Manchester
, mottoeng = Knowledge, Wisdom, Humanity
, established = 2004 – University of Manchester Predecessor institutions: 1956 – UMIST (as university college; university 1994) 1904 – Victoria University of Manchester 1880 – Victoria Univ ...
.
He is the co-author of five books, including the
popular science books ''
Why Does E=mc²?'', ''
The Quantum Universe'' and ''Universal: A guide to the cosmos'', co-written with physicist
Brian Cox. He has also written over 100
peer review
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work ( peers). It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer revie ...
ed papers published in
scientific journals
and speaks at international science festivals for children and adults. He frequently acts as science consultant to the BBC and other media[ and is a columnist for '']The Observer
''The Observer'' is a British newspaper published on Sundays. It is a sister paper to ''The Guardian'' and '' The Guardian Weekly'', whose parent company Guardian Media Group Limited acquired it in 1993. First published in 1791, it is the ...
''.
Forshaw is a recipient of the Maxwell Medal and Prize
The Institute of Physics awards numerous prizes to acknowledge contributions to physics research, education and applications. It also offers smaller specific subject-group prizes, such as for PhD thesis submissions.
Bilateral awards
* The Max ...
for his contribution to particle physics, and the Kelvin Prize from the Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application.
It was founded in 1874 and has a worldwide membership of over 20,000. The IOP is the Physic ...
for his contribution to the public understanding of physics.
Education
Forshaw attended Hesketh Fletcher High School and studied A levels at Wigan and Leigh College
Wigan & Leigh College is a state General Further and Higher Education College based at five locations in the towns of Wigan and Leigh in Greater Manchester, England, United Kingdom. Currently, there are 500 staff members employed, and more than 8 ...
where he considered his teachers, Jim Breithaupt, Alan Skinner and Jean Wadsworth an important influence on his future career. He went on to study physics at Oriel College, Oxford[Jeff Forshaw ] graduating with a first class Bachelor of Arts
Bachelor of arts (BA or AB; from the Latin ', ', or ') is a bachelor's degree awarded for an undergraduate program in the arts, or, in some cases, other disciplines. A Bachelor of Arts degree course is generally completed in three or four year ...
degree in physics in 1989, followed by a PhD in Theoretical Physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics that employs mathematical models and abstractions of physical objects and systems to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena. This is in contrast to experimental physics, which uses experim ...
from the University of Manchester in 1992 for research on the parton content of the photon
A photon () is an elementary particle that is a quantum of the electromagnetic field, including electromagnetic radiation such as light and radio waves, and the force carrier for the electromagnetic force. Photons are massless, so they a ...
and photon-induced minijets.
Career and research
From 1992 to 1995 he worked as a postdoctoral research
A postdoctoral fellow, postdoctoral researcher, or simply postdoc, is a person professionally conducting research after the completion of their doctoral studies (typically a PhD). The ultimate goal of a postdoctoral research position is to pu ...
scientist at the Rutherford Appleton Laboratory
The Rutherford Appleton Laboratory (RAL) is one of the national scientific research laboratories in the UK operated by the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC). It began as the Rutherford High Energy Laboratory, merged with the Atlas ...
[ near ]Didcot
Didcot ( ) is a railway town and Civil parishes in England, civil parish in the Ceremonial counties of England, ceremonial county of Oxfordshire and the Historic counties of England, historic county of Berkshire. Didcot is south of Oxford, eas ...
in Oxfordshire, in the group led by noted particle physicist Frank Close
Francis Edwin Close, (born 24 July 1945) is a particle physicist who is Emeritus Professor of Physics at the University of Oxford and a Fellow of Exeter College, Oxford.
Education
Close was a pupil at King's School, Peterborough (then a gr ...
. While studying he intended to become a school teacher but began lecturing at university level after his PhD. He began his friendship and eventual collaboration with Brian Cox around 1995 when he was Cox's lecturer in Advanced Quantum Field Theory as they were the same age, despite being student and teacher.
In 2004 he became professor of particle physics
Particle physics or high energy physics is the study of fundamental particles and forces that constitute matter and radiation. The fundamental particles in the universe are classified in the Standard Model as fermions (matter particles) an ...
at the University of Manchester School of Physics and Astronomy.[ At Manchester he engaged in experimental and theoretical research in the field of particle physics, with particular interest in the behaviours of particles in high energy colliders as at the ]ATLAS experiment
ATLAS is the largest general-purpose particle detector experiment at the Large Hadron Collider (LHC), a particle accelerator at CERN (the European Organization for Nuclear Research) in Switzerland. The experiment is designed to take advantage of ...
and Compact Muon Solenoid (CMS) experiments, part of the Large Hadron Collider particle accelerator research at CERN in Geneva
, neighboring_municipalities= Carouge, Chêne-Bougeries, Cologny, Lancy, Grand-Saconnex, Pregny-Chambésy, Vernier, Veyrier
, website = https://www.geneve.ch/
Geneva ( ; french: Genève ) frp, Genèva ; german: link=no, Genf ; it, Ginevr ...
, Switzerland.[ He said of his theoretical physics research,
He has written over 100 peer-reviewed articles in scientific journals, including papers on ordering gluon emissions, quantum field theory and ]holographic
Holography is a technique that enables a wavefront to be recorded and later re-constructed. Holography is best known as a method of generating real three-dimensional images, but it also has a wide range of other applications. In principle, i ...
wavefunction of mesons
In particle physics, a meson ( or ) is a type of hadronic subatomic particle composed of an equal number of quarks and antiquarks, usually one of each, bound together by the strong interaction. Because mesons are composed of quark subparticles, ...
.[ Forshaw and his frequent co-author Cox have stated the ]peer review
Peer review is the evaluation of work by one or more people with similar competencies as the producers of the work ( peers). It functions as a form of self-regulation by qualified members of a profession within the relevant field. Peer revie ...
process of science results publishing is important because it ensures that minimum standards are met in the scientific community and gives due attribution to all associates working on the piece who are finalising the presentation of the paper, and blogging
A blog (a truncation of "weblog") is a discussion or informational website published on the World Wide Web consisting of discrete, often informal diary-style text entries (posts). Posts are typically displayed in reverse chronological order s ...
research before it is published should be avoided.[
]
As an educator Forshaw is keen to encourage the idea that basic principles and theories in particle physics should be introduced to children in school in order to encourage understanding of the scientific method
The scientific method is an empirical method for acquiring knowledge that has characterized the development of science since at least the 17th century (with notable practitioners in previous centuries; see the article history of scientific ...
and use of evidence-based thinking at a young age.
In 2008 he added his voice to the Science and Technology Facilities Council (STFC) campaign against spending cuts to UK physics budgets in a letter to the then Secretary of State at the Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills
The Department for Innovation, Universities and Skills (DIUS) was a UK government department created on 28 June 2007 to take over some of the functions of the Department of Education and Skills and of the Department of Trade and Industry. Its h ...
, John Denham, which was signed by around 350 prominent physicists from the UK theoretical particle physics community. The letter pointed out the adverse effects the cuts would have, not only to physics research in the UK, but also in discouraging future students of astronomy, particle physics and science in general.[ When asked whether investment in physics could potentially contribute to the UK economy he pointed out, He also encourages people to see the relevance of quantum physics in everyday life and not purely as an academic discipline, using solar panels and lasers as examples of practical everyday applications.][ In his many public lectures he has been described as "deeply enthusiastic about his subject"] and "entertaining and informative."
Forshaw often visits schools and colleges to speak in front of young people about aspects of his work and has appeared on children's television in the UK explaining concepts such as the Higgs boson on BBC television programme Newsround for children aged six to twelve. He is an ambassador for educational charity Potential Plus UK which aims to support the emotional and learning needs of gifted and exceptional children. Forshaw also regularly contributes at SciBar events (literally science in a bar) and Café Scientifique
Café Scientifique currently exists in more than 60 towns and cities across the United Kingdom and world-wide. It was the idea of Duncan Dallas, from Leeds, who was impressed by the Café Philosophique session he saw in France. Café Scientifiqu ...
events in the UK. He has supervised several PhD students and postdocs.[ ][ ]
Publications and media
Forshaw writes frequent popular science articles explaining complex concepts in physics for the press and magazine publications. He has written on subjects such as matter
In classical physics and general chemistry, matter is any substance that has mass and takes up space by having volume. All everyday objects that can be touched are ultimately composed of atoms, which are made up of interacting subatomic part ...
and antimatter
In modern physics, antimatter is defined as matter composed of the antiparticles (or "partners") of the corresponding particles in "ordinary" matter. Antimatter occurs in natural processes like cosmic ray collisions and some types of radioac ...
, the Big Bang, the existence of the Higgs boson, quantum computers
Quantum computing is a type of computation whose operations can harness the phenomena of quantum mechanics, such as superposition, interference, and entanglement. Devices that perform quantum computations are known as quantum computers. Though ...
, supersymmetry, the Planck satellite, dark matter
Dark matter is a hypothetical form of matter thought to account for approximately 85% of the matter in the universe. Dark matter is called "dark" because it does not appear to interact with the electromagnetic field, which means it does not a ...
and the technology of nuclear fusion
Nuclear fusion is a reaction in which two or more atomic nuclei are combined to form one or more different atomic nuclei and subatomic particles ( neutrons or protons). The difference in mass between the reactants and products is manife ...
.
He has also co-authored a set of physics talks with educational support materials for TED Studies entitled ''Physics – The Edge of Knowledge'' which is designed to be used online by teachers and students. It explores the relationship between the laws of nature and quantum physics from subatomic particles to the wider universe. Other popular science publications include:
*''QCD and the Pomeron'' is a text book written with Douglas A. Ross (1997) written for theoretical and experimental particle physicists and those in the field of applied mathematics
Applied mathematics is the application of mathematical methods by different fields such as physics, engineering, medicine, biology, finance, business, computer science, and industry. Thus, applied mathematics is a combination of mathemati ...
and investigates the pomeron
In physics, the pomeron is a Regge trajectory — a family of particles with increasing spin — postulated in 1961 to explain the slowly rising cross section of hadronic collisions at high energies. It is named after Isaak Pomeranchuk.
Overview ...
, an object in high energy particle physics. It was described as the "First book on the physics of the pomeron, fills a gaping hole in the literature."
*''Dynamics and Relativity'' written with Gavin Smith (2009) is an undergraduate level text book on the physics behind classical mechanics and relativity.
*'' Why Does E=mc²?'' written with Brian Cox (2009) is a popular science book exploring Einstein's Theory of relativity and what it means in relation to topics such as the Big Bang and the Large Hadron Collider. The book received very positive reviews for being easy to read and entertaining, despite dealing with complex physical theories and mathematics, from newspapers such as ''The Guardian
''The Guardian'' is a British daily newspaper. It was founded in 1821 as ''The Manchester Guardian'', and changed its name in 1959. Along with its sister papers ''The Observer'' and ''The Guardian Weekly'', ''The Guardian'' is part of the Gu ...
'', ''New York Journal of Books'' and ''New Scientist
''New Scientist'' is a magazine covering all aspects of science and technology. Based in London, it publishes weekly English-language editions in the United Kingdom, the United States and Australia. An editorially separate organisation publish ...
'', and was shortlisted for the Royal Society science book prize in 2010.
*'' The Quantum Universe'' written with Brian Cox (2012) is a popular science book that attempts to explain quantum physics. ''Economist
An economist is a professional and practitioner in the social science discipline of economics.
The individual may also study, develop, and apply theories and concepts from economics and write about economic policy. Within this field there are ...
'' magazine listed it as one of its 'Books of the Year' for 2011. It received favourable reviews from ''The Guardian'' and the ''Economist'' while ''The Daily Telegraph
''The Daily Telegraph'', known online and elsewhere as ''The Telegraph'', is a national British daily broadsheet newspaper published in London by Telegraph Media Group and distributed across the United Kingdom and internationally.
It was f ...
'' described it as enjoyable but "not an easy read," and ''The Independent
''The Independent'' is a British online newspaper. It was established in 1986 as a national morning printed paper. Nicknamed the ''Indy'', it began as a broadsheet and changed to tabloid format in 2003. The last printed edition was publish ...
'' found the theoretical sections stodgy.
*''Universal, a guide to the cosmos'' written with Brian Cox (2016) explores fundamental questions about the universe and the science of astronomy as it attempts to understand it. ''Universal'' was also well received, with the ''New Scientist'' listing it as one of their ''Great Christmas books'', describing it, "Rarely has a difficult subject been rendered so accessible." ''The Guardian'' referred to it as a magnum opus
A masterpiece, ''magnum opus'' (), or ''chef-d’œuvre'' (; ; ) in modern use is a creation that has been given much critical praise, especially one that is considered the greatest work of a person's career or a work of outstanding creativity, ...
and ''The Big Issue
''The Big Issue'' is a street newspaper founded by John Bird and Gordon Roddick in September 1991 and published in four continents. ''The Big Issue'' is one of the UK's leading social businesses and exists to offer homeless people, or individ ...
'' focussed on the book's encouragement of critical thinking. ''Universal'' was featured by Symmetry, the particle physics journal funded by the US Department of Energy
The United States Department of Energy (DOE) is an executive department of the U.S. federal government that oversees U.S. national energy policy and manages the research and development of nuclear power and nuclear weapons in the United States. ...
and described as a beautiful book which excels on many levels.
*Forshaw is series editor of the ''Manchester Physics Series'' of textbooks aimed at university undergraduates and postgraduates.
Forshaw was science consultant for several BBC Television series and programmes including the following:
*'' The Science of Doctor Who'', documentary, 2013
*''Wonders of Life
The Wonders of Life pavilion was an attraction at Epcot at Walt Disney World in Lake Buena Vista, Florida. It was devoted to health care, focusing on the human body, physical fitness, medicine and nutrition. Attractions included Body Wars and C ...
'' series, 2012
*''Wonders of the Universe
''Wonders of the Universe'' is a 2011 television series produced by the BBC, Discovery Channel, and Science Channel, hosted by physicist Professor Brian Cox. ''Wonders of the Universe'' was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two from ...
'' series, 2010 and 2011[
*''A Night With The Stars'', documentary, 2011
*'']Wonders of the Solar System
''Wonders of the Solar System'' is a 2010 television series co-produced by the BBC and Science Channel, and hosted by physicist Brian Cox. ''Wonders of the Solar System'' was first broadcast in the United Kingdom on BBC Two on 7 March 2010. The ...
'' series, 2009 and 2010
*'' Horizon:- What on Earth is wrong with Gravity?'' 2009
*'' Horizon – Do You Know What Time It Is?'' 2008
*'' Naked Science: Time Machine'' for National Geographic channel, 2008
*''Equinox
A solar equinox is a moment in time when the Sun crosses the Earth's equator, which is to say, appears directly above the equator, rather than north or south of the equator. On the day of the equinox, the Sun appears to rise "due east" and se ...
: The Big G'', 1998[
Of his writing and efforts to bring physics to the wider public he said,
]
Awards and honours
In 1999 Forshaw was awarded the Maxwell Medal and Prize
The Institute of Physics awards numerous prizes to acknowledge contributions to physics research, education and applications. It also offers smaller specific subject-group prizes, such as for PhD thesis submissions.
Bilateral awards
* The Max ...
from the Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application.
It was founded in 1874 and has a worldwide membership of over 20,000. The IOP is the Physic ...
for his outstanding contribution to particle physics. In 2013 Forshaw received the Kelvin Medal from the Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics (IOP) is a UK-based learned society and professional body that works to advance physics education, research and application.
It was founded in 1874 and has a worldwide membership of over 20,000. The IOP is the Physic ...
for his outstanding contribution to making complex physics accessible and understandable to the public.[ In 2010 Cox and Forshaw's book '' Why Does E=mc²?'' was shortlisted for the Royal Society science book prize.][
]
Personal life
Forshaw lives in Manchester and has two daughters.[ He was married to scientist and environmental campaigner ]Gail Bradbrook
Gail Marie Bradbrook (born 30 April 1972) is a British environmental activist and a co-founder of the environmental social movement Extinction Rebellion.
Early life and career
Bradbrook was born in 1972 and grew up in South Elmsall in West York ...
.
References
{{DEFAULTSORT:Forshaw, Jeff
1968 births
21st-century British physicists
Academics of the University of Manchester
Alumni of Oriel College, Oxford
Alumni of the University of Manchester
English physicists
The Guardian journalists
Living people
Particle physicists
People associated with CERN
People from Wigan