Professor Martyn Poliakoff, chemistry professor at The University of Nottingham since 1979, has been awarded a bachelor knighthood for his commitment to the field of chemistry.
The Professor, who became an internet hit with YouTube videos viewed by millions across the world, was awarded with the knighthood in the New Year’s Honours list.
Professor Poliakoff has already been awarded a CBE. A knighthood is among the highest of civilian honours in the UK.
He said: “I’m delighted and somewhat overwhelmed – I see this as recognition of not just me but my colleagues.”
“Professor Poliakoff is a fantastic professor whose hard work has encouraged many people to develop their interest in chemistry”
Adam Van Cleef, a second year Biochemistry student, said: “Professor Poliakoff is a fantastic professor whose hard work has encouraged many people to develop their interest in chemistry. His periodic table videos are really popular and he definitely deserves this knighthood.”
With 540 videos viewed over 257 million times on his YouTube channel, Professor Poliakoff’s videos have been popular worldwide. Recognition has come from as far away as in Beijing, and last summer an avid seven-year-fan came from America to meet him.
“His videos help communicate science to people all around the world and really put Nottingham on the map”
The Professor said that he believes the award is for his role in UK chemistry field and also for his efforts to promote chemistry through his YouTube channel. He wonders whether this is the first time Youtube has contributed towards a knighthood. “If it is, I am really quite proud of that,” Professor Poliakoff said.
A fourth year Chemistry student told Impact: “It’s so inspirational that he has received this honour. His videos help communicate science to people all around the world and really put Nottingham on the map.”
“As a university we are very proud of what he has done, so this is a huge honour for the university as well as for Martyn personally”
Sir David Greenaway, UoN Vice-Chancellor, who was himself recently awarded a knighthood, called Professor Poliakoff “loyal, committed and straightforward.”
Sir Greenaway continued: “As a university we are very proud of what he has done, so this is a huge honour for the university as well as for Martyn personally.”
Professor Poliakoff noted himself the work of his research team and technical staff who help put the videos together.
“I see this very much as an honour for the whole School of Chemistry.”
Professor Poliakoff, whose research interests lie in supercritical fluids, continuous reactions and their applications to Green Chemistry, is currently the ambassador for UK science at the Royal Society.
Joking in a video on his periodic videos website, the Professor noted that one benefit of his doctorate, making him Professor Poliakoff, was getting an effect when he complained in shops.
“I have no idea whether Sir will produce a similar effect, or whether people will just laugh.
“In full I will now be Professor Sir Martyn Poliakoff, but nobody in their right mind would actually say that.”
The Professor also noted some very important advice given to him by his son when he received his doctorate twenty five years ago. In a card, his son wrote: “Don’t be pompous like other profs,” advice Professor Poliakoff says he has kept in mind over years of recognition for his hard work.
To view Professor Martyn Poliakoff’s Periodic Table videos on YouTube, go to: https://www.youtube.com/user/periodicvideos.
Jonny McAllister and Beth Rowland
Image: University of Nottingham
