Rate My Professor Colin Snape

Professor Colin Snape, FRSE, is Professor of Chemical Technology in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Nottingham. He obtained his BSc in Chemistry from the University of Sheffield in 1974 and his PhD in Physical Chemistry from the University of Leeds in 1982. Snape began his career as a Research Chemist at the Coal Research Establishment of British Coal from 1974 to 1987. He subsequently joined the University of Strathclyde's Department of Pure and Applied Chemistry as Lecturer in Applied Chemistry and Chemical Technology in 1987, progressing to Senior Lecturer in 1990, Reader in 1993, and Professor in 1995. In 2000, he was appointed Professor of Chemical Technology at the University of Nottingham, where he currently directs the EngD Centre in Efficient Power from Fossil Energy and Carbon Capture Technologies, the Midlands Energy Graduate School, and serves as a member of the Low Carbon Energies and Resources Research Group.

With over 40 years in fuel science and related disciplines, Professor Snape's research encompasses fuel science, coal characterisation, organic geochemistry and conversion, cracking and hydroprocessing catalysis, pyrolysis of petroleum residues, oil shale and biomass, sulfur speciation, carbon technology, novel adsorbents for CO2 capture and mercury removal, hydropyrolysis linked to compound-specific stable isotope measurements, high-pressure effects on oil and gas generation, biomass co-firing, and biochar production via hydrothermal carbonisation. He has produced over 370 peer-reviewed publications, supervised more than 60 PhD students, and secured research grants exceeding £10 million. His contributions have earned him the Fellowship of the Royal Society of Edinburgh in 2000, the Peter Given Lectureship in Coal Science in 2000, the Henry H. Storch Award in Fuel Chemistry from the American Chemical Society in 2006, the 2013 BCURA/BF2RA Robens Coal Science Lectureship, and the 2008 Engineer Business Support of Universities Award for technology commercialisation. Snape's innovations include the commercialisation of hydropyrolysis technology licensed to Strata Technologies Ltd and coordination of multiple EU Research Fund for Coal and Steel projects.