Dr JONATHAN HARE - biographical notes

talks and workshops	Publications	Things to make	Jonathan's Bio page

Jonathan is a freelance research scientist who's PhD work was on Buckminsterfullerene (C60) in the Sussex Fullerene Centre with Prof. Sir Harry Kroto (the 1996 Nobel Prize for Chemistry). He is currently self employed which enables him to explore teaching science to all ages as well as to pursue making all sorts of things. His current Physics research interests concern the Earths Electrostatic field (atmospheric electricity). Jonathan has been a member of the all BBC TV Rough Science teams.

At school I had reading and writing 'difficulties' but tended to learn quickly through diagrams, pictures and by playing with machines at home. I have always had a great desire to experiment and try to understand better the things around me. In particular my imagination has always been captured by electronics. As a schoolboy I worked Saturdays at GWM Radio (Worthing, UK) repairing a range of instruments and electronic apparatus as well as learning to work with a wide range, and type, of people. I have worked at the Time and Frequency section of the National Physical Laboratory where I built Time Standard apparatus, which I believe is still in use daily today (I was a Time Lord for a year !).

I achieved a First in Physics at Surrey and then went on to Sussex for my PhD with Sir Harry Kroto. This work lead to a method of producing Buckminsterfullerene (C60) for which Sir Harry, Richard Smalley and Robert Curl were awarded the Chemistry Nobel prize in 1996. I have made a direct contribution to this field (Fullerene Science) and have co-authored over 80 scientific papers in leading journals. In 1999 I was awarded an ISI citation certificate for these achievements in the physical sciences.

I have designed, built, tested and installed apparatus and other equipment for many laboratories including the Sussex Fullerene Group (Sussex University), the National Physical Labortory (NPL) and British Gas. I currently make 1-2 (new to me) prototypes a week and have done since a teenager (I have just got to make things). I have also built equipment for TV including for example the CH4 series Superhuman.

I have been involved with a number of TV programmes and series including 'Tomorrows World' and a 'Horizon' programme - 'Molecules with Sunglasses'. I have also co-produced four 'Reflections of Science' programs for the VEGA Science Trust.

I am very fortunate to be one of the scientist team members of the Rough Science TV series (where five scientists are set science challenges in remote locations). To date 6 series have been made on location in the Mediterranean, the Caribbean, New Zealand, Death Valley USA, Zanzibar (East Africa) and Colorado. I co-present, with Robert Lewellyn Hollywood Science a series exploring the myths and science of Hollywood action movies (we use the programs as 'thought experiments' to ask 'could you really do that?'). These programs have been produced by the BBC for the Open University - many have been transmitted worldwide via BBC World.

I am part of the BLAST planning team, an OU outreach activity aimed at using its BBC TV and other broadcast programs within workshops and talks. I have devised workshop / teaching equipment for these activities including Mars Rover type buggies and recently windmills. All these devices were made to be as strong / durable as possible but also educationally flexible.

I originated the Creative Science Centre (CSC) (a small-scale project at Sussex University) in order to provide a unique experience of science through exploring, planning, designing and making things. Activities include projects, workshops as well as consultancy work. I have also presented hundreds of talks. These activities involve schools, colleges, universities as well as other links within the community. My motivation is to use my skills to help people experience something of the scientific process. The activities are a healthy two-way process because I get the opportunity to diversify my skills and share this experience with new people, while they get a unique opportunity to learn and play outside of the constraints of the normal educational system. It is my wish to be able to extend this work further throughout the community.

click here to find out what people say about Jonathan's CSC work

I love making things. I try to make at least one new design / invention a week and have done so since I was a teenager. I have spent many hours juggling and I also practice meditation. These experiences have allowed me to uncover my own learning pace. Other interests include mountain trekking, drawing and painting.

Jonathan writes for magazines, science journals and papers. His writing has been used in the 21st Century Science Pilot - Resources (for Teachers) (Nuffield, Oxford and University of York, 2004 Edition). He is currently writing Key stage 3 course material for Heinemann Science.
published papers and articles

Jonathan's Thoughts about Maths in science

Jonathan (G1EXG) has been a licenced radio amateur since 1984.
Read his thoughts on the 80m band

In May 2000 I was awarded a NESTA Fellowship.

In Sept. 2002 Jonathan was awarded an Institute of Physics' Public Awareness of Physics Award

In October 2006 Jonathan was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry

.... did I mention I love making things ?

click here if you need a publicity photo of JPH
click here if you need a publicity photo of JPH with apparatus (Rough Science 5, Zanzibar)
click here if you need a publicity photo of JPH and experimental antenna (photo: by Geoff Rowland)