Édouard Brézin is a French theoretical physicist with major contributions in the physics of high-energy particles, and of condensed matter — including superconductors, liquids and solids. He used techniques from field theory to help develop the theories of magnetism and the quantum Hall effect. Édouard’s work has also been important to string theory.

He has been a leader in the behaviour of matter around critical points — such as the temperature when a liquid turns to gas, or above which magnets become weaker. In particular, he developed methods for experimentally testing theoretical predictions about key related physical quantities known as critical exponents.

Édouard is committed to promoting science in France and internationally. He has served as President of the French Académie des sciences and is an Honorary Trustee of the Cyprus Institute. In 2011, he was jointly awarded the prestigious Dirac Medal of the Abdus Salam International Centre for Theoretical Physics. He is also a Commander in the French Legion of Honour.