Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS is Professor of Marine Biology and Director of the Marine Institute at the University of Plymouth.
 
Richard is a world-leading marine scientist and is at the forefront of pioneering research into the causes and effects of marine litter. He founded and heads the University’s International Marine Litter Research Unit, which has charted the global distribution of microplastics from Arctic sea ice to the deep seas.
In 2019, the University was awarded the Queen's Anniversary Prizefor the pioneering research of Richard and his colleagues on marine microplastics pollution and its impact on the environment and changing behaviour.

Honours

Richard was presented with the 2023 Blue Planet Prize in recognition of his groundbreaking research and ongoing work with colleagues in the UK and worldwide.

In 2017, Richard was awarded with an OBE (Officer of the Order of the British Empire) for his services to marine science. 

He was awarded the 2017 Marsh Award for Marine and Freshwater Conservation for his pioneering research into microplastics.

Academic career
Director of the Marine Institute, University of Plymouth, 2018–present 
Associate Dean, Research, University of Plymouth, 2016–2018 
Professor of Marine Biology, University of Plymouth, 2010–present 
Reader in Marine Ecology, University of Plymouth, 2004–2010
Senior Lecturer, University of Plymouth, 2001–2004
Research Fellow (Leverhulme funded), University of Southampton, 1997–2000
Teaching Assistant, Newcastle University, 1996–1997

• Marine Biological Association
• British Ecological Society
• Society for Research in Higher Education

• Science Advice for Policy by European Academics (SAPEA) 2018–2019
• National Centre for Ecological Synthesis and Analysis, California, USA, working group 2012–2015
• GESAMP (United Nations advisory body), Working Group 40 microplastics 2012–2015
• Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Expert Group on Marine Debris 2010–present
• Marine Strategy Framework Directive, Task Group 10: Marine Debris 2007–2009
• GESAMP (United Nations advisory body), Working Group on Marine Debris, 2009–2011
• International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) working group on environmental aspects of marine renewable energy, 2008–2010

• Grant review panel, Research Frontiers Programme, Science Foundation, Eire
• Swedish Research Council for Environment 

• Natural Environment Research Council, UK 
• Science Foundation, Ireland 
• Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada 
• National Science Foundation, USA 
• Australian Research Council 

• Aquatic Conservation 
• Coral Reefs 
• Estuarine and Coastal Shelf Science 
• Global Change Biology 
• Journal of Animal Ecology 
• Journal of Experimental Marine Biology & Ecology 
• Journal of Marine Biological Association 
• Journal of Microscopy 
• Journal of Molluscan Studies 
• Marine Biology 
• Marine Ecology and Water Research 
• Marine Ecology Progress Series 
• Marine Ecology PSZN 
• Nature 
• Netherlands Journal of Sea Research 
• Oecologia 
• Science

Current PhD students

James Delaney, Funding Argans Limited Remote sensing sensitivity of marine and terrestrial plastic litter, 2019 – present
Chris Walkinshaw Funding NERC Env East DTP Does microplastic pollution pose a risk to marine life and food security? 2018 –present
Madeleine Steer, Funding NERC Industrial CASE (UKWIR).Quantifying the influence of waste water treatment on the release of microplastics to the environment, 2018- present.
Zara Botterell, Funding NERC Env East DTP. Bioavailability of microplastics to zooplankton, 2017 – present
Sohvi Nuojua, Funding, UK Charity and University of Plymouth, Marine Litter: Can behavioural sciences help reduce land-based waste entering the oceans? 2017 - present.
Imogen Napper, Funding self, Plastics in the marine environment. 2014 – present

Completed PhD students
Imogen Napper, Funding self, Plastics in the marine environment. 2014 - 2018
La Daana Kanhai, Funding EU Mares, Microplastic distribution and ecological interactions across latitudinal gradients, 2015-2018
Stephanie Wright, Funding Defra, Physical effects of microplastics on marine life. 2011 - 2015
Daniel Metcalfe, Funding ESF. Environmentally & Ecologically durable surface design for the coastal built environment. 2011 -2015
Joao Frias, Funding FCT, Portugal. Microplastics in the environment.2011- 2015.
Nicolas Biber, Funding: Self. Distribution and effects on microplastics in the environment. 2009 – 2015 (part time).
Saeed Sadri, PhD 2015 Monitoring microplastics in the marine environment. 2009 – 2014. Funding Defra.
Juliette Jackson, PhD 2015 Recruitment and succession on coastaldefence structures. Funding: Self.
Kayleigh Wyles, PhD 2014 Rocky Shores: From habitat threat to marine awareness and restorative experiences. Funding NERC/ESRC.
Luke Holmes, PhD 2013, The role of plastic production pellets in the transport and availability of trace metals in the marine environment. Funding:University of Plymouth Studentship.
Martin Coombes, PhD 2011, Coastal defences and biodiversity: examining the interplay between engineering design and ecological response, Funding: GWR.
Gustavo Martins, PhD 2009, Community structure of the Azorean rocky intertidal: interactions between recruitment and exploitation,Funding: FCT(Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology).
John Griffin, PhD 2008, Biodiversity and ecosystem functioning: tests using rockpools as natural mesocosms, Funding: NERC.
Ana Silva, PhD 2008, Predator-prey interactions in rocky intertidal communities, Funding: FCT (Portuguese Foundation for Science and Technology).
Mark Browne, PhD 2008, Environmental consequences of microscopic plastics in marine habitats, Funding: Leverhulme Trust.
Gerardo Gomes-Filho, PhD 2008, Physical and Biological Processes Influencing the Distribution of Barnacles in Estuaries, Funding:CAPES(Brazilian Ministry of Education).
Laure Noel, PhD 2007, Species interactions during succession in rockpools: role of herbivores and physical factors Funding: Self.
Emma Sheehan, PhD 2007, Ecological impact of the Carcinusmaenas (L.)fishery 'Crab-Tiling' on estuarine fauna, Funding: charitable sources.
Nova Mieszkowska, PhD 2005, Population structures and reproductive cycles of British Trochid Gastropods in relation to climate change, Funding: MARCLIM and Self.
Pippa Moore, PhD 2005, The Role of biological interactions in modyfying the effects of climate change on intertidal assemblages, Funding: PERC,University of Plymouth and Marine Biological Association.
Paula Moschella, PhD 2003, Influence of rock type on microbial fouling communities, Funding: EU.
Robert Alcock, PhD 2003, The effects of climate change on rocky shore communities in the Bay of Biscay. 1895 - 2050, Funding: Self.
Malcolm Roberts, PhD 2002, Population dynamics of Patella vulgata and P.depressa in S.W. England, Funding: Self. 

Programme Leader BSc (Hons) Marine Biology 2009–2013 Ecology of Shallow Water Marine Habitats 
Experimental Marine Ecology 
Field Ecology 
Statistics