Murray Batchelor
Encyclopedia
Murray Thomas Batchelor (born 27 August 1961), is an Australian mathematical physicist. He is currently the Head of the Department of Theoretical Physics in the Research School of Physics and Engineering with a joint appointment in the Mathematical Sciences Institute at the Australian National University
. He is best known for his work in mathematical physics
and theoretical physics
. However, Batchelor has also shown an interest in ancient and modern stromatolites, which has led him on a number of field trips to outback Australia, including to the Pilbara Craton
and to Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
.
at the University of New South Wales
in 1983, graduating with 1st class honours and a University Medal. Batchelor completed a PhD in Mathematics
at the Australian National University
in 1987.
His first postdoctoral research position was at the Lorentz Institute
in Leiden. After a time as a postdoctoral research fellow in mathematics at the University of Melbourne
he took up an Australian Research Council
QEII Fellowship at the Australian National University
. He then was awarded two successive ARC Senior Research Fellowships, followed by an ARC Professorial Fellowship in 2003.
Batchelor has held visiting positions at a number of universities, including the University of Oxford
, the University of Tokyo
and Institut Henri Poincaré
.
During his career, Batchelor has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers. He is a Fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society
, the Australian Institute of Physics and the Institute of Physics
(UK).
Batchelor is currently Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
. Prior to this he served as Mathematical Physics Section Editor (2007-2008) and as a member of the Editorial Board (2005-2006).
In 2008 Batchelor was awarded an Honorary Professorship at Chongqing University
, China. He is a General Council Member of the Asia-Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics.
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. He is best known for his work in mathematical physics
Mathematical physics
Mathematical physics refers to development of mathematical methods for application to problems in physics. The Journal of Mathematical Physics defines this area as: "the application of mathematics to problems in physics and the development of mathematical methods suitable for such applications and...
and theoretical physics
Theoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
. However, Batchelor has also shown an interest in ancient and modern stromatolites, which has led him on a number of field trips to outback Australia, including to the Pilbara Craton
Pilbara craton
The Pilbara craton , along with the Kaapvaal craton are the only remaining areas of pristine Archaean 3.6-2.7 Ga crust on Earth...
and to Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve
Hamelin Pool Marine Nature Reserve is located in the Shark Bay World Heritage Site of Western Australia adjacent to the historic Hamelin Pool Telegraph Station about west of the Overlander Roadhouse on the North West Coastal Highway. Access is via Hamelin Pool Rd and then through the Hamelin Pool...
.
Academic career
Batchelor was educated at Chatham Public School and Chatham High School (Taree, New South Wales) in Taree. He completed an Honours degree in Theoretical PhysicsTheoretical physics
Theoretical physics is a branch of physics which employs mathematical models and abstractions of physics to rationalize, explain and predict natural phenomena...
at the University of New South Wales
University of New South Wales
The University of New South Wales , is a research-focused university based in Kensington, a suburb in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia...
in 1983, graduating with 1st class honours and a University Medal. Batchelor completed a PhD in Mathematics
Mathematics
Mathematics is the study of quantity, space, structure, and change. Mathematicians seek out patterns and formulate new conjectures. Mathematicians resolve the truth or falsity of conjectures by mathematical proofs, which are arguments sufficient to convince other mathematicians of their validity...
at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
in 1987.
His first postdoctoral research position was at the Lorentz Institute
Lorentz Institute
The Lorentz Institute, or Instituut-Lorentz in Dutch, was established in 1921 and is the oldest institute for theoretical physics in The Netherlands. Together with the experimental physics groups in the Kamerlingh Onnes Laboratory and the Huygens Laboratory, it makes up the Leiden Institute of...
in Leiden. After a time as a postdoctoral research fellow in mathematics at the University of Melbourne
University of Melbourne
The University of Melbourne is a public university located in Melbourne, Victoria. Founded in 1853, it is the second oldest university in Australia and the oldest in Victoria...
he took up an Australian Research Council
Australian Research Council
The Australian Research Council is the Australian Government’s main agency for allocating research funding to academics and researchers in Australian universities. Its mission is to advance Australia’s capacity to undertake research that brings economic, social and cultural benefit to the...
QEII Fellowship at the Australian National University
Australian National University
The Australian National University is a teaching and research university located in the Australian capital, Canberra.As of 2009, the ANU employs 3,945 administrative staff who teach approximately 10,000 undergraduates, and 7,500 postgraduate students...
. He then was awarded two successive ARC Senior Research Fellowships, followed by an ARC Professorial Fellowship in 2003.
Batchelor has held visiting positions at a number of universities, including the University of Oxford
University of Oxford
The University of Oxford is a university located in Oxford, United Kingdom. It is the second-oldest surviving university in the world and the oldest in the English-speaking world. Although its exact date of foundation is unclear, there is evidence of teaching as far back as 1096...
, the University of Tokyo
University of Tokyo
, abbreviated as , is a major research university located in Tokyo, Japan. The University has 10 faculties with a total of around 30,000 students, 2,100 of whom are foreign. Its five campuses are in Hongō, Komaba, Kashiwa, Shirokane and Nakano. It is considered to be the most prestigious university...
and Institut Henri Poincaré
Institut Henri Poincaré
The Institut Henri Poincaré is a mathematical institute in Paris which has established itself over its eighty year history as an important meeting place for French and international mathematicians and theoretical physicists...
.
During his career, Batchelor has published over 150 peer-reviewed papers. He is a Fellow of the Australian Mathematical Society
Australian Mathematical Society
The Australian Mathematical Society was founded in 1956 and is the national society of the mathematics profession in Australia. One of the Society's listed purposes is to promote the cause of mathematics in the community by representing the interests of the profession to government. The Society...
, the Australian Institute of Physics and the Institute of Physics
Institute of Physics
The Institute of Physics is a scientific charity devoted to increasing the practice, understanding and application of physics. It has a worldwide membership of around 40,000....
(UK).
Batchelor is currently Editor-in-Chief of Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical
Journal of Physics A
The Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical is a peer-reviewed scientific journal published by IOP Publishing. It is part of the Journal of Physics series and covers theoretical physics focusing on sophisticated mathematical and computational techniques.The journal is divided into six...
. Prior to this he served as Mathematical Physics Section Editor (2007-2008) and as a member of the Editorial Board (2005-2006).
In 2008 Batchelor was awarded an Honorary Professorship at Chongqing University
Chongqing University
Chongqing University is a comprehensive national university in the Shapingba District of Chongqing municipality, China. It is a member of the Project 211 and Project 985 which aims to transform Chinese universities into better research institutions.-History:...
, China. He is a General Council Member of the Asia-Pacific Center for Theoretical Physics.
Public Roles
Batchelor served on the Mathematical and Information Sciences and Technology Assessment Panel for the Australian Research Quality Framework (2007).Awards
- University Medal, UNSW - 1983
- Pawsey MedalPawsey MedalThe Pawsey Medal is awarded every year by the Australian Academy of Science to recognize outstanding research by Australian scientists under 40 years of age in the field of physics.This medal commemorates the work of the late Joseph L. Pawsey, FAA....
, Australian Academy of ScienceAustralian Academy of ScienceThe Australian Academy of Science was founded in 1954 by a group of distinguished Australians, including Australian Fellows of the Royal Society of London. The first president was Sir Mark Oliphant. The Academy is modelled after the Royal Society and operates under a Royal Charter; as such it is...
- 1997
- Australian Mathematical Society MedalAustralian Mathematical Society MedalAustralian Mathematical Society Medal recognises distinguished mathematical sciences research by members of the Australian Mathematical Society. Eligibility for the medal include the requirements that the Society member must be under the age of 40 years, and that a significant portion of the...
- 1998
- ARC Professorial Fellowship 2003
External links
Selected bibliography
- The Bethe Ansatz after 75 years, M. T. Batchelor, Physics Today (2007) 60:36-40.
- The art of sangaku, M. T. Batchelor, Nature Physics (2008) 4:669.