Kevin has pioneered world leading research into the environmental sources, fate, behaviour and effects of persistent organic pollutants (POPs) over the last three decades. A state-of-the-art ‘chemical mass balance and inventory approach’ has been used to develop a quantitative understanding of the contribution of particular sources, practices, pathways, policies or actions on environmental levels and the exposure to organisms, including people. Complex chemical fate models continue to be developed and refined to protect human and environmental health around the world. Global waste disposal strategies and chemical regulations have been transformed as a result of his world-leading research.

Kevin is one of the most highly cited scientists in Environment and Ecology and has published nearly 600 peer-reviewed journal articles. His long-standing collaboration with the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) has resulted in the formation of the International Research and Innovation Centre for the Environment (IRICE) – a joint initiative between the Chinese Academy of Sciences (CAS) and Lancaster University (LU). Two CAS Institutes lead the engagement - the Guangzhou Institute of Geochemistry (GIG) and Institute of Urban Environment (IUE), Xiamen and it has been endorsed and supported by the UK Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO). He is also developing new partnerships with the Chinese Research Academy of Environmental Sciences (CRAES).

The new UK-China Centre will grow both research and new business partnerships across China with a focus on innovative solutions for environmental and human health protection. The platform will act as focus for innovation and will create and encourage opportunities for UK business growth specifically in relation to environmental technologies across soil, air and water resource protection.

The collaboration with CAS has also resulted in the development of the Lancaster-China Catalyst Programme and associated new Masters in International Innovation

External Roles

Kevin is a Senior Visiting International Professor with the Chinese Academy of Sciences and has acted as an external advisor to CAS. He also leads Lancaster’s links on chemical management with Unilever through their Safety and Environmental Assessment Centre . Kevin enjoys working at the interface of research, practice and policy, and the interactions of working with a wide array of international partners and young researchers. 

Environmental chemistry; chemicals and pollution management