Geoffrey Allen

Sir Geoffrey Allen, FRS (born 1928) is a British chemist who has also served as a Vice-President of the Royal Society. He is primarily known for his work on the physics and chemistry of polymers. He is especially well known for his work on the thermodynamics of rubber elasticity. He inspired a generation of physical chemists as a result of his research interests, and he displayed a passion for fostering links between academia and industry.

Career

Born in Clay Cross, Derbyshire, Allen was educated at Tupton Hall Grammar School and Leeds University. He was Lecturer (1955-65) and Professor of Chemical Physics (1965–75) at the University of Manchester. Moving to London, he became Professor of Polymer Science (1975-6), Professor of Chemical Technology (1976-81) at Imperial College, London. He chaired the Science Research Council 1977-81.

Allen was Head of Research at Unilever 1981-1990, and a Director of Unilever 1982-1990. Since 1990 he has been an Adviser to Kobe Steel Ltd. He was Vice-President of the Royal Society, 1991–93, and Chancellor of the University of East Anglia 1994–2003. He was a member of the Royal Commission on Environmental Protection 1994–2000, and President of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, (formerly the Institute of Materials) 1994–95. Since 1980 he has been a Visiting Fellow at Robinson College, Cambridge.