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Dr Stuart G. Higgins

Headshot of Stuart Higgins

UKRI Future Leaders Fellow

Stuart is a UKRI Future Leaders Fellow in the School of Physics, Engineering and Technology, at the University of York. His research focuses on developing bioelectronics and biomaterials for interfacing with biological systems. He also explores research culture and its role in science and academia.

Stuart leads the Complex Interface Team, an interdisciplinary research group investigating the interface between cells, biomolecules and engineered materials, using a combination of bioelectronic and biomaterial tools.

With an interdisciplinary background, Stuart previously working on large-scale particle beamline experiments, developing flexible organic electronics and organic energy harvesting circuits, before moving into bioengineering cell-biomaterial interfaces during his postdoctoral work.

Stuart incorporates improving research culture within his practice, including producing the podcast Scientists not the Science, which features interviews with 70+ people in science-related professions, exploring fundamental themes and challenges within academia. He also has an interest in evidence-based public engagement for reaching underserved audiences.

Stuart is an Recognised Associate Research Supervisor, as awarded by the UK Council for Graduate Education

Employment

Years Role
2024-present UKRI Future Leaders Fellow, University of York
2023–present Lecturer in Biomedical Engineering, University of York
2018–2023 Assistant Supervisor / Research Associate, Imperial College London
2016–2018 Reseach Associate, Imperial College London
2015–2016 Research Associate, University of Cambridge
2014–2014 Research Assistant, Imperial College London
2009–2009 Beamline Technician, Max Planck Institute for Nuclear Physics

Education

Years Role
2023–2025 Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice (PGCAP), University of York
2010-2014 PhD, Imperial College London
2006-2010 MSci, Imperial College London

Teaching

Years Role
2024 Recognised Associate Research Supervisor, UK Council for Graduate Education Recognised Associate Research Supervisor Logo
2023–2024 Module Leader, Emerging Trends in Microengineering (ELE00137M)
2020-2023 Lecturer, Tailoring Cell-Biomaterial Interfaces as part of Advanced Tissue Engineering (MATE97026/70016)

Citizenship

Years Role
2024-present Member, Editorial Board, Nano Futures (IOP Publishing)
2024-present Member Representative, Steering Committee, York Biomedical Research Institute
2023-present Member, York Athena Swan Self-Assessment Team
2023-present Member, Equality, Diversity and Inclusion Committee, School of Physics, Engineering and Technology

Public engagement

Projects

Read more about Stuart's previous engagement projects

Selected talks/lectures

  • YorkTalks 2025 - Can you heal people using electricity?, 20/01/2025 An introduction to both the history and present work on electrical-based healing, as part of YorkTalks 2025.

  • Enhancing Research Culture - Why Every Lab Needs a Handbook, 23/04/2024
    Exploring the role lab handbooks, and more broadly how defining ways of working, can positively impact research teams.

  • Postdocs Assemble! - Why Creating Communities is Important, 10/11/2023
    Talking about creating communities within academia at different scales, as part of the York Researcher Festival 2023.

Diversity and inclusion

  • Cavendish inspiring Womxn
    Produced a series of scientist audio profiles for Cambridge University Women in Physics Society (formerly Cavendish inspiring Women), a University of Cambridge-based society promoting equality, diversity and inclusion in physics.

  • Success: is it all in the mind?, Cavendish Inspiring Womxn
    Chaired an expert panel on the impact on biases and success on women in science, and produced the live recording of the event.

Working with schools

  • I’m a Scientist Get Me Out of Here!
    Spent two weeks answering questions and completing online chats with school pupils across the UK and voted winner of Dubnium Zone, by the participating pupils.

Podcasts

  • Bibliometría o Barbarie (BoB), 22/07/2024
    Interviewed to discuss research culture and learnings from Scientists not the Science.

Broadcast media

  • Three Ways Organic Electronics is Changing Technology as We Know It, The Conversation
    Produced article for the Conversation, exploring how organic electronics enable flexible displays, lighting and solar panels. This article was republished in The Independent.

  • Why are Flexible Displays Taking so Long to Develop, The Conversation
    Article considering how computer displays work and the associated challenges with making them flexible.

  • Interview for article, "Supporting student supervision", Chemistry World, 31/10/2023 Provided comment for a Chemistry World article looking at how postdoctoral researchers who provide doctoral supervision can be supported in their careers.