Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith FRS

Chris Llewellyn Smith is a theoretical physicist who made crucial contributions to the development of the ‘Standard Model’ of fundamental particles that make up our Universe. His work helped to show that protons and neutrons are made up of smaller particles called quarks, and that a Higgs boson is necessary if quantum field theory — the equations behind the model — is correct.

Chris was Director General of CERN in the 1990s, where he steered approval to build the Large Hadron Collider — which recently discovered the Higgs boson. As Director of the UK Atomic Energy Authority’s Culham Division from 2003–2009, he led the development of the UK’s fusion energy programme.

Chris is currently Director of Energy Research, University of Oxford, and President of the Council of SESAME (Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East). He has spoken widely on international scientific collaboration, science funding and energy issues, and served numerous national and international advisory bodies. His scientific contributions and leadership have been recognised by awards and honours in seven countries across three continents.

Professional position

  • President of Council, Synchrotron-light for Experimental Science and Applications in the Middle East

Subject groups

  • Astronomy and Physics

    Elementary particle physics

Awards

  • Royal Medal

    For his major contributions to the development of the Standard Model, particularly his success in making the case for the building the LHC.

Sir Christopher Llewellyn Smith FRS
Elected 1984
Committees Participated Role
Net Zero Panel Group March 2020 - December 2025 Member
Energy Storage Steering Group May 2019 - December 2022 Chair
Council December 2008 - November 2010 Member
Advisory Committee on Mathematics Education (RS ACME) January 2002 - December 2004 Chair