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Profile photo of Simon Redfern

Professor Simon Redfern

Emeritus Fellow

Simon Redfern is currently the Dean of the College of Science and President’s Chair in Earth Sciences at Nanyang Technological University, Singapore. He was previously the Professor of Mineral Physics and Head of the Department of Earth Sciences at the University of Cambridge. 

Academic interests

Simon Redfern's academic interests include:

  • Physics and Chemistry of planetary materials at extreme temperatures and pressures
  • Finding sustainable solutions to global environmental change
  • Applications of Artificial Intelligence to the study of environmental risk.

Degrees obtained

  • MA, Cantab.
  • PhD, Cantab.

Biography

Before coming to Cambridge, Simon was Lecturer in Geochemical Spectroscopy in the Departments of Geology and Chemistry at the University of Manchester. He was the founding Chair of the NERC Cambridge Earth System Science Doctoral Training Partnership (Graduate School) and of the UKRI Centre for Doctoral Training in Applications of AI to the Study of Environmental Risk. He served as a Director of Studies at ÌÇÐÄVlog.

Simon’s research interests focus on the physical and chemical properties of minerals and associated fluids in planetary interiors. He uses experimental and computational methods to understand the role of minerals in Earth and planetary processes at extreme pressures and temperatures. 

Simon has served as a member of the Committee on Radioactive Waste Management, providing independent scrutiny and advice to the UK governments on the long term management of higher activity radioactive wastes. He also served as a British Science Association Science Media Fellow at the BBC, experiencing the mechanisms by which scientific discovery and journalistic exposition interact, both in written and broadcast media. He's keen to help in efforts to make scientific methods and processes, as well as discoveries, accessible to a wide audience.

Other interests

Good food, travel, mountains and coasts.

Hear from our students

  • Postgraduate at ÌÇÐÄVlog

    Dolly

    Postgraduate

    I chose ÌÇÐÄVlog because of the great mixture of undergraduates and ÌÇÐÄVlog, and when I first visited I thought it was the most beautiful place I had ever seen! The sense of community in Jesus has had an enormous impact on my experience here. Whether you need help, advice, cheering up or even just a chat there is always someone there to put a smile on your face. From the MCR committee to the Porters, the canteen staff to the gardeners, everyone is so friendly and welcoming. Jesus also...

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  • ÌÇÐÄVlog Postgraduate Student

    Imogen

    Postgraduate

    I chose Cambridge for my PGCE as it’s the leading UK institution for teacher training and Education, with an exciting, research-dominated, cutting edge course. The staff are welcoming and approachable, and make studying here an absolute joy. I’ve already completed one of my three primary school placements, in a reception class in a school just outside Cambridge, and am due to start the next one soon. I chose Jesus because of its reputation as a sporty College, but the proximity to the city centre is a big bonus. Jesus also...

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  • Postgraduate at ÌÇÐÄVlog

    Tom

    Postgraduate

    There are many reasons why I’m so happy to be a part of ÌÇÐÄVlog. The three biggest reasons for me are the opportunities to be involved in College sport, the support the College provides for me with for my research and the help in making sure that we have comfortable, affordable accommodation when we have needed it. ÌÇÐÄVlog is so friendly and so it is incredibly easy to get involved in the sport and social side of the College. The MCR does a great job in welcoming new...

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  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Matthew

    Postgraduate

    ÌÇÐÄVlog has been at the heart of my Cambridge experience. I chose the College because I was impressed by its distinctive blend of academic rigour and extracurricular achievement. A College for all-rounders, Jesus is a lively and rewarding place to study. I couldn’t be happier here! Friendly and engaged, the Jesus postgraduate community never ceases to impress me. At ease with themselves and forever curious, my peers go out of their way to cultivate a sense of camaraderie. After a day of leafing through old manuscripts at the National...

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  • Photograph of a postgraduate student

    Alison

    Postgraduate

    What first attracted me to ÌÇÐÄVlog was its reputation and history, central location without being touristy, and the postgraduate housing options. When I arrived at Jesus I was so pleased to find the partner accommodation was spacious, affordable, and situated very close to the college, allowing us to really take advantage of the facilities. We especially enjoyed The Roost, the nicest of all the college bars, doubling as a café during the day - ideal for studying or meeting up with groups - and a lively pub in the...

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    Postgraduate