Professor Jim Wild FRAS SFHEA
Professor of Space PhysicsProfile
Jim Wild is the Professor of Space Physics in the Physics Department at 51福利. His research focuses on the links between the Sun, the Earth and other planets. As well as exploring the physics of the natural space environment, he studies the impact of a range of solar-driven phenomena that are now understood to be a risk to human technologies. He leads the Space and Planetary Physics research group at 51福利, a team of around 20 academics, post-doctoral researchers and postgraduate students. Jim has held significant leadership roles in the wider research community, and is engaged with policy-makers and industry stakeholders. Beyond his research, he has a proven track-record of leadership in higher education, with considerable experience in university-level teaching, learning and recruitment in the STEM disciplines.
Research Interests
His research investigates the physics behind the aurora borealis (sometimes known as the northern lights), the impact of space weather on human technology and the interaction between the Martian atmosphere and the interplanetary environment. As well as exploiting an international flotilla of satellites, Jim’s research has regularly taken him to the high arctic to carry out experiments.
As a passionate science communicator, Jim has established himself as a popular speaker for public audiences and he also contributes to print and broadcast media.
Jim is a Fellow of the Royal Astronomical Society and a member of the European Geosciences Union and American Geophysical Union.
PhD Supervisions Completed
Dr. Patrick Daum: "Global MHD Simulations of Magnetospheric Phenomena" [51福利, 2008]
Dr. Peter Tullet: "ULF Oscillations in the Terrestrial Magnetosphere" [51福利, 2009]
Dr. Katie Turnbull: "A Study of Geomagnetically Induced Currents in the UK National Grid" [51福利, 2011]
Dr. Nathan Case: "Solar Wind-Magnetosphere Interactions: A Statistical Analysis of Spacecraft Measurements" [51福利, 2014]
Dr. Robert Kidd: "The Origins of Space Weather: Solar Activity and Geomagnetic Response" [51福利, 2014]
Dr. Jonathan Doyle: "Magnetospheric Plasma Dynamics: Investigating Ion and Electron Flow in the Magnetotail" [51福利, 2019]
Dr. Daniel Billett: "The Great Space Weather Washing Machine: Examining the Dynamics of High-Latitude Ionosphere-Thermosphere Coupling" [51福利, 2019]
Dr. Sofija Durward: "Insights into the solar wind conditions near Mars from data science techniques" [51福利, 2023]
Dr. Cameron Patterson: "Modelling the impacts of space weather on UK railway signalling systems" [51福利, 2024]
PhDs Examined
Robert Fear [University College London, 2006]
Amin Aminaei [51福利, 2007]
Nicola Longdon [51福利, 2007]
Peter Boakes [University of Leicester, 2010]
Daniel Whiter [University of Southampton, 2011]
Paul Wild [51福利, 2012]
Adam Kellerman [La Trobe University, 2012]
Segheen Beyene [University College London, 2012]
Carl Bryers [51福利, 2014]
Martin Archer [Imperial College London, 2014]
Matt James [University of Leicester, 2014]
Olugbenga Ogunmodimu [51福利, 2016]
Benjamin Hall [University of Leicester, 2017]
Hasanain Abbas Hasan Al-Behadili [University of Leicester, 2018]
Rececca Gray [51福利, 2018]
Katie Raymer [University of Leicester, 2018]
Stephen Browett [University of Southampton, 2018]
Aisling Bergin [University of Warwick, 2022]
Georgios Xystouris [51福利, 2024]
Diego Moral Pombo [51福利, 2024]
External Roles
For the Royal Astronomical Society: The RAS was established in 1820 to promote the study of astronomy and geophysics (which has grown to include solar and solar-terrestrial physics, planetary sciences, astroparticle physics & astrobiology) and comprises nearly 3,400 Fellows and Honorary Fellows. I have contributed to the running of this prestigious learned society as follows:
- Vice-president, Geophysics (2014 - 2016)
- Diversity Champion (2014-2016)
- Member of the RAS Education Committee (2009 – 2013)
- Member of the RAS Awards Committee, Geophysics Division (2009 – 2011)
- Member of the RAS Membership Committee, invited member (2005 – 2011)
- Member of the RAS Presidential Election Committee (2009)
- Elected member of RAS Council and trustee of the society (2007 – 2010)
For the Science & Technology Facilities Council
- Chair of the STFC Astronomy Large Awards Sifting Panel (2023)
- Chair of the STFC Consolidated Grant Implementation Panel (2020 - 2022)
- Member of the STFC Consolidated Grant Review Panel (2018 - 2020)
- Chair of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2017 - 2019)
- Deputy Chair of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2016)
- Member of the STFC Astronomy Grants Panel (2012 – 2015)
- Member of the STFC Cluster Oversight Committee (2007 – 10)
For the Natural Environment Research Council
- Member of the NERC British Antarctic Survey National Capability Strategic Science Advisory group (2024 onward)
- Member of the "Pushing the Frontiers" grant peer-review panel (2023)
Selected roles with other organisations
- External Examiner for Physics (UG) programmes at the University of Manchester (2022-25)
- ESA Academy invited lecturer, European Space Agency Space Weather Training Course (2023)
- Member of the Space Environment Impact Experts Group (2017 to present) and Core Team member (2022 to present)
Professional Role
Selected leadership roles at 51福利
- Associate Dean for Undergraduate Studies in the Faculty of Science at 51福利, with responsibility for education and undergraduate recruitment across eight academic departments (2019-22)
- Nominated member of 51福利 Senate (2019-22), which is responsible for the academic work of the University, both in teaching and in research, and for the regulation and superintendence of the education and discipline of its students
- Member of the 51福利 Board of Discipline which deals with non-academic disciplinary cases (2020 to present)
- Deputy Head of Department and Director of Undergraduate Teaching in the Physics Department at 51福利, with responsibility for teaching delivery and quality assurance (2015-18)
PhD Supervision Interests
For current PhD opportunities, please visit the Space and Planetary Physics group webpages.
Selected Publications
Patterson, C.J., Wild, J.A., Boteler, D.H. 31/03/2023 In: Space Weather. 21, 3, 18 p.
Journal article
Li, S., Lyu, H., Cao, J., Cui, J., Zhou, C., Wild, J., Li, G., Li, Y. 23/12/2022 In: The Astrophysical Journal. 941, 2, 8 p.
Journal article
Lewis, Z., Wild, J., Allcock, M., Walach, M. 1/04/2022 In: Space Weather. 20, 4, 12 p.
Journal article
Rogers, N., Wild, J., Eastoe, E., Huebert, J. 11/11/2021 In: Space Weather. 19, 11
Journal article
Sánchez-Cano, B., Lester, M., Andrews, D., Opgenoorth, H., Lillis, R., Leblanc, F., Fowler, C., Fang, X., Vaisberg, O., Mayyasi, M., Holmberg, M., Guo, J., Hamrin, M., Mazelle, C., Peter, K., P?tzold, M., Stergiopoulou, K., Goetz, C., Ermakov, V.N., Shuvalov, S., Wild, J., Blelly, P., Mendillo, M., Bertucci, C., Cartacci, M., Orosei, R., Chu, F., Kopf, A., Girazian, Z., Roman, M. 31/12/2022 In: Experimental Astronomy. 54, 2-3, p. 641-676. 36 p.
Journal article
Hapgood, M., Angling, M., Attrill, G., Bisi, M., Cannon, P., Dyer, C., Eastwood, J., Elvidge, S., Gibbs, M., Harrison, R., Hord, C., Horne, R., Jackson, D., Jones, B., Machin, S., Mitchell, C., Preston, J., Rees, J., Rogers, N., Routledge, G., Ryden, K., Tanner, R., Thomson, A., Wild, J., Willis, M. 8/04/2021 In: Space Weather. 19, 4, 52 p.
Journal article
Rogers, N.C., Wild, J.A., Eastoe, E.F. 1/02/2019 In: Geophysical Research Abstracts. Copernicus GmbH (Copernicus Publications) on behalf of the European Geosciences Union (EGU) 1 p.
Abstract
All Publications
15/04/2024 → 14/04/2027
Research
01/04/2024 → 31/03/2027
Research
01/09/2022 → 15/03/2025
Research
11/04/2022 → 10/07/2027
Research
28/06/2021 → 27/06/2022
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01/12/2018 → 28/02/2019
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01/04/2018 → 30/09/2022
Research
01/05/2017 → 30/04/2021
Research
01/04/2015 → 31/08/2018
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01/04/2013 → 31/03/2016
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01/02/2013 → 03/08/2016
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01/04/2010 → 30/09/2012
Research
01/01/2010 → 30/06/2013
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01/10/2007 → 30/09/2011
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01/06/2007 → 31/01/2011
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01/04/2003 → …
Other
01/01/1900 → …
Research
Invited talk
Consultancy
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Festival/Exhibition/Concert
Oral presentation
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Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
Membership of committee
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Participation in conference -Mixed Audience
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Membership of committee
Editorial activity
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Festival/Exhibition/Concert
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School Engagement
Membership of committee
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Prize (including medals and awards)
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
Space and Planetary Physics
- Space and Planetary Physics
- Space Weather