Leads International Marine Litter Research Unit at University of Plymouth. Over 20 years researching marine litter and was the first to describe microplastics.
Plymouth, England
Joined January 2019
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- Following822
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Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
📢 The science is clear: we need ambitious action across the plastics lifecycle, from production through to disposal. The question is, will countries deliver?
Ahead of the final UN #PlasticTreaty #INC5 talks (4th-16th Aug)
I share my perspectives
theconversation.com/a-global…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
🎓Calling aspiring marine researchers with bold ideas!
Our SERVO #PhD studentships empower solutions-driven research addressing global marine challenges — designed by you 🌊
🧪Full funding
🗓Proposals by Oct25
🔗plymouth.ac.uk/research/inst…
🌍Join us to drive solutions in marine! 🚀
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
🌊🗑️🛰️ A new life highlight: telling UK Parliament we’re living in a litter sandwich
Plastic below in the ocean, debris above in Earth’s orbit.
I shared how:
1. We need space literacy
2. Prevention > clean-up
3. We must act fast, before we repeat old mistakes
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Microplastics may act as endocrine disruptors & affect the gut microbiome.
ℹ️Rise in liver disease parallels increasing marine plastic waste, but is it causal? We don’t know yet.🤷
🤝 Progress will require collaboration: chemists, toxicologists, microbiome researchers & more.
@EASLnews
#EASLcongress #LiverX
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Professor Richard Thompson OBE FRS, who led the first study using the term microplastics to describe the microscopic fragments of plastic polluting the global ocean, has been named by TIME among its list of the world’s 100 most influential people of 2025.
Find out more: plymouth.ac.uk/news/micropla…
📷(c) A.K.Purkiss
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
It's time for a new series of Titans of Science, kicking off with marine biologist @ProfRThompson of the @PlymUni, who first brought to the world’s attention 20 years ago the problem that is microplastic pollution.
thenakedscientists.com/podca…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
LAST 8 HOURS !!! to PRE-ORDER my new book and prints that will create extra funds allowing me to add gold gilt edges to the pages of ‘Photographs of British Algae' with @GOSTbooks please follow the Kickstarter link here: kickstarter.com/projects/gbl…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Scientists from University of Plymouth part of ambitious study to explore effects of offshore wind farms on ocean life 🪸🐠🌊🍃
plymouth.ac.uk/news/ambitiou…
ALT The study will gather data from the Celtic Sea, identified by the UK Government – alongside the North Sea – as a prime location for accelerating offshore wind infrastructure.
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Exciting #PhD #studentship @PlymUni predicting the effects of #heatwaves on intertidal animals using a physiological approach & work with @NaturalEngland to learn how to turn your findings into #policy.
👉plymouth.ac.uk/study/researc…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Our nominees at the @greengowns tonight - @ProfRThompson who leads our #microplastics research, and Environmental Science graduate and climate educator Hayley Hill. Fingers crossed for some positive results later this evening 🤞🤞
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Did you know that developed countries send their trash to developing countries, such as those in the Asia Pacific region, only to then label them top plastic polluters? 🙅♀️
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Bio-based fibres could pose greater threat to the environment than conventional plastics
➡️New study highlights the importance of testing materials advocated as alternatives to plastic
@BangorUni @PlymUni
#microplastic #plasticpollution #PlasticsTreaty shorturl.at/AV4wY
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
This talk @PlymUni is tomorrow night - do come and join us
Do join us on Tuesday 5 November @PlymUni for a talk on 'United Irish Fears and French Invasion:
Contextualising the Mutiny of the Marines at Stonehouse Barracks, 1797' with @leejanegiles All Welcome. Full details here: plymouth.ac.uk/whats-on/autu…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
💥Large office available at Brixham Lab💥
Great facilities, including on site café, meeting and conference rooms, Wifi, parking and more.
24/7 access, facilities team on hand, regular cleaning included.
Email or call for more details, [email protected] / 01803 611817
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
'The Whale's Tale', a new puppetry theatre show and workshop about ocean conservation comes to Plymouth this October, developed in collaboration with @ClareEmbling and @_beth_harvey. Ages 5+.
Find out more & book tickets: thewhalestaleshow.co.uk
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Today, we welcome Professor Richard Davies to campus as he starts work as our new Vice-Chancellor. This is his message to our students.
plymouth.ac.uk/news/universi…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Scientists say we now have enough evidence to agree global action on microplastics 🔬🧫🌊plymouth.ac.uk/news/scientis…
ALT An international group of experts say the need for worldwide action to tackle all forms of plastic and microplastic debris has never been more pressing.
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Microplastic pollution is an environmental and public health crisis, with little action being taken. A new @ScienceMagazine review by @ProfRThompson and colleagues is outstanding
science.org/doi/10.1126/scie…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
HOT off the press in @ScienceMagazine: Twenty years of #microplastics pollution research – what have we learned? Here’s an answer from @ProfRThompson, @WinnieCJ, Julien Boucher, @SabinePahl, @KRaubenheimer, and Bart Koelmans. science.org/doi/10.1126/scie…
Prof. Richard C Thompson OBE FRS retweeted
Join us! October 1st as a start date. 4 years of funding with an enhanced stipend. See the advert for details: findaphd.com/phds/project/de…
Fantastic opportunity to study for a PhD on plastic pollution @PlymUni Determining the dietary accumulation and toxicity of nanoplastics and nanomaterials in fish at University of Plymouth on FindAPhD.com