About
Professor David Smith is Pro-Vice-Chancellor and Executive Dean for the Faculty of Science and Engineering.
David was born and brought up in Durham. He studied Natural Sciences at Girton College Cambridge, specialising in Chemistry. He stayed in Cambridge to complete his PhD, before moving on to research positions at the University of Birmingham and University of Southampton. He then moved to the University of Exeter, and on to the University of Bristol, before arriving at Swansea University at the start of 2023.
David’s research interests are in the spectroscopy and photochemistry of reactive molecules and complexes, using high-resolution lasers, microwave radiation and synchrotron sources, as well as quantum mechanical computational techniques, to investigate structure and dynamics.
David is a leader in education—acting as both Faculty and University Education Director whilst at Bristol—with a particular interest in curriculum development and in online and blended learning. He is also passionate about widening access and participation.
David is a Chartered Chemist and Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry. He is currently a Trustee of the Royal Society of Chemistry and chairs the Professional Standards Board.