ProfessorRichard Hartshorn

Professor Richard Hartshorn is an internationally recognised leader in the chemical sciences, with a distinguished record of service to global scientific organisations, standards development, and research data governance. He served as Secretary General of the International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry (IUPAC) from 2016 to 2023, providing executive leadership for the world's peak body for chemistry and overseeing its international scientific programmes, governance, and global standards activities. Prior to this, he served as President of the IUPAC Division of Chemical Nomenclature and Structure Representation (2010-2014), leading the development of internationally adopted standards that underpin chemical research, education, industry practice, regulation, and safety worldwide. 

Professor Hartshorn continues to contribute to international science leadership through senior roles in CODATA (Committee on Data of the International Science Council), including serving as Vice President, and through his longstanding involvement with the International Chemical Identifier (InChI) Trust and other international scientific bodies. His leadership has helped shape global approaches to scientific data standards, interoperability, and research data governance.

Nationally, he has made significant contributions to science education and capability development, including serving on the National Science-Technology Roadshow Trust Board since 2007 and as Chair from 2011 to 2020. Through these leadership roles, Professor Hartshorn has strengthened international collaboration, advanced scientific standards used globally, and supported the development of future generations of scientists and educators.