Imperial Dean awarded honorary doctorate from Aix-Marseille University

Professor Richard Craster, Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences, has been awarded an honorary doctorate by Aix-Marseille University (AMU).

The honorary doctorate – the highest distinction that AMU bestows – celebrates Professor Craster’s pioneering work in wave mechanics and metamaterials, as well as his long-standing collaboration with researchers in Marseille, particularly at the Institut Fresnel and the Laboratory of Mechanics and Acoustics (LMA).

“I was delighted to receive the honorary doctorate from Aix-Marseille University, nominated by the CNRS laboratories Institute Fresnel and the Laboratory of Mechanics and Acoustics, and to celebrate the links between Imperial, the CNRS, and Aix-Marseille University,” Professor Craster said.

It was great to look back at the collaborations I have had, and have, and to thank colleagues there for their influence upon my scientific research... Professor Richard Craster Dean of the Faculty of Natural Sciences

He said, “It was great to look back at the collaborations I have had, and have, and to thank colleagues there for their influence upon my scientific research in metamaterials and wave physics.”

Metamaterials to CNRS-Imperial

Professor Craster, a Professor of Applied Mathematics, is internationally known for his theoretical work in acoustic metamaterials, a class of materials that derive their properties from their engineered geometry.

His research spans theory, simulation, and experiment, and frequently bridges disciplinary boundaries across mathematics, physics, and engineering.

In addition to his scientific achievements, Professor Craster has played a vital role in shaping the research landscape through leadership and mentorship. As a founding Director of the CNRS-Imperial Abraham de Moivre International Research Laboratory in Mathematics, he helped strengthen ties between French and British mathematicians.

His relationship with AMU dates back to 2011, when he held a visiting professorship at the Institut Fresnel. He later returned as a plenary speaker for a workshop on invisibility and metamaterials in 2013, held alongside the conferral of an honorary degree to our colleague Sir John Pendry.

Since then, his collaborations with Marseille-based researchers have yielded more than 30 joint publications, including having co-edited one of the first academic volumes on acoustic metamaterials.

Dr Boris Gralak, a researcher from Institut Fresnel, said: “We would like to warmly thank Richard for his contributions to science and for the successful collaborations between Imperial, Institut Fresnel, and the LMA. We are also deeply grateful for his support to many French colleagues in our laboratories.”

Richard Craster's leadership qualities mean that he plays a very important role with other researchers, particularly at the start of their careers. Dr Bruno Lambard Laboratory of Mechanics and Acoustics

Professor Craster has also been a committed mentor to early-career researchers, including several trained in Marseille. Among them are Marie Touboul, a recipient of the City of Marseille thesis prize and now a CNRS Chargée de Recherche in Paris, and Alice Vanel, another CNRS recruit who completed her undergraduate and postgraduate studies under his supervision.

Dr Bruno Lombard, a researcher from the LMA, said: “Richard Craster's leadership qualities mean that he plays a very important role with other researchers, particularly at the start of their careers.”