Susumu Kitagawa obtained a Ph.D. degree from Kyoto University. He is a distinguished professor at the Institute for Integrated Cell-Material Sciences (iCeMS) and Institute for Advanced Study (IAS) at Kyoto University.

He introduced the concept of porosity to coordination polymers, which had previously been densely structured in crystals, and demonstrated for the first time in gas adsorption that coordination polymers can function as stable new porous materials called porous coordination polymers (PCPs) or metal-organic frameworks (MOFs). He was also the first to predict the softness of PCP crystals and demonstrated their responsiveness to chemical and physical stimuli, allowing them to perform various functions. He named these materials soft porous crystals and led the development of their chemistry. He has proposed that the 21st century is the 'Age of Gas', as gases have become important materials in the fields of environment, energy, resources, and health. Porous materials play an important role in the age.

He is a member of the Japan Academy and a recipient of the Japan Academy Award and the Medal with Purple Ribbon.