Herbert Huppert is a geophysicist whose theoretical work has greatly improved our understanding of the behaviour of fluids in and on the Earth’s surface. Herbert has also devised elegant laboratory experiments to test his ideas, many of which have been extremely influential for other researchers in the field.

A key area of Herbert’s earlier research focused on the flow of fluids across a well-defined landscape. This led to a better understanding of how atmospheric stationary waves are generated and how ocean currents interact with the Earth’s topography. His work has also shed light on the complicated time-dependent behaviour of convective systems — crucial for an improved comprehension of our planet’s response to a changing climate.

Often in demand as a scientific authority, Herbert served as Chair of a Royal Society working group on bioterrorism and has acted as an adviser to numerous government bodies. He has received many prestigious awards for his work, including the Royal Society's 2020 Royal Medal and  2011 Bakerian Lecture, and a 2013 Leverhulme Emeritus Fellowship.