#FaradayPathways Gavin Harper

Dr Gavin Harper’s #FaradayPathway explores his inspiring journey, from leaving school at the age of 16 to an interdisciplinary career spanning technical research, public engagement and national policy. Now a Research Fellow at the University of Birmingham and a key contributor to the Faraday Institution’s ReLiB project, Gavin’s work bridges research, business and policy development. His career is a testament to the breadth of experience that comes from taking an unconventional route into the battery sector, and a powerful reminder of the importance of diverse backgrounds.

Early years and education

Gavin’s interest in technology began early, but his educational journey was unconventional.

“I left school at 16, with only my GCSEs, and planned to become an engineer. I started an apprenticeship, but it quickly became clear it wasn’t challenging me enough.”

As the first in his immediate family to enter higher education, Gavin began university via distance learning.

“I studied with the Open University, starting at 16, and completing a BSc (Hons) Technology by age 19. At the time, I was their youngest graduate.”

Driven by a desire to deepen his technical knowledge and remain connected to sustainability, Gavin also took on an MSc in Architecture: Advanced Environmental and Energy Studies, a programme run by the University of East London and delivered at the Centre for Alternative Technology in Machynlleth, Wales. He cited this as being transformative for his career.

“The programme was forward-thinking, interdisciplinary, and rooted in sustainability, focused on architecture, environmental and energy studies. It really shaped me and put sustainability at the heart of my academic interests.”

Interdisciplinary learning

A testament to his love for learning, Gavin soon found himself juggling multiple postgraduate qualifications across different universities.

He says mischievously, “I realised – perhaps cheekily – that I could study at more than one place at the same time. I started a distance-learning MSc in Renewable Energy Systems Technology at Loughborough while also studying with the Open University for my second degree a BEng (Hons) Engineering. And when a PhD scholarship came along, I thought I’d see these other qualifications through, whilst then studying full-time for an MSc in Social Science Research Methods at Cardiff.

“I had to be self-motivated. With distance learning particularly, you don’t do it for the social life – you do it because you care about the subject.”

Gavin continued studying at Cardiff University, going on to complete his PhD at the ESRC Centre for Business Relationships, Accountability, Sustainability and Society. His doctoral research focused on business model innovation in the transition of ultra-low emission vehicles to market.

“My PhD at Cardiff helped bridge the gap between the technology and the markets, connecting physical and social sciences. That integration and interdisciplinarity defines a lot of my work now.”

He also studied for an MBA at Keele University, and later became a Chartered Manager. He credits breadth combined with depth in multiple domains as being central to his philosophical approach.

“Diverse teams need diverse backgrounds – generalists who can go deep into multiple domains and connect them are valuable.”

Development at Birmingham

After completing his PhD, Gavin took several short-term research roles at Cardiff, and later at the Centre for Solar Energy Research, and then joined the University of Birmingham where he helped found the Birmingham Energy Institute, alongside Professor Martin Freer, who is now the Faraday Institution’s CEO.

“I helped develop the Birmingham Energy Institute. It was an academic-related role rather than a research one. I learned a lot and had opportunities to be seconded onto big projects such as the Energy Research Accelerator, Energy Capital and the early planning of Tyseley Energy Park. It’s fantastic to see just how much those projects have grown, particularly Tyseley Energy Park.”

Return to research

Although the role was fulfilling, Gavin wanted to return to academic research, and joined the ReLiB project.

“It was a leap of faith. I didn’t have a strong publication record at the time, but I was passionate about battery recycling and systems integration.”

As a generalist within the ReLiB team, Gavin has focused on big-picture thinking, linking policy, industry and engineering. His work on circular economy approaches and design for recycling batteries has made him a key voice in international battery sustainability efforts.

International collaboration has been a key theme that Gavin has championed, forging early relationships and research collaborations between the project and international partners at Argonne National Labs, the National Renewable Energy Lab, and other international collaborators. An EPSRC ‘Developing Leaders’ grant helped to support this engagement. This international collaboration has led to impactful work and recognition.

“One early highlight was being invited to coordinate a review paper for Nature, which was published in their 150^th anniversary issue. That paper has now been cited over 3,000 times.”

Since then, Gavin has contributed to a number of significant pieces, published in Science, Nature Sustainability and Nature Reviews Clean Technology.

Gavin’s recognition in the international battery recycling community, has led to him being invited to chair sessions at multiple prestigious conferences.

“The Faraday Institution created opportunities for me to interact with and get to know many people in the international scientific community, and rapidly developing industry.”

Public engagement and policy influence

From early on, Gavin was enthusiastic about public engagement and science communication, having signed a contract with McGraw-Hill publishers in New York at the age of 16 and going on to write four books for them by age 19. During his PhD, Gavin published as a blogger for The Huffington Post and went on to collaborate regularly with organisations such as the Royal Institution with STEM engagement.

“Science communication mattered to me because I was inspired by people who took the time to explain things to me when I was younger. I wanted to pay that forward.

“I was really touched when a girl who reached out to me for her school project after reading one of my books, messaged me on LinkedIn a decade later to say that it had been a catalyst for getting into science. She had since landed a job at NASA where she’s an award-winning documentary maker.”

Gavin’s interdisciplinary background makes him a key figure in policymaking in the battery sector. He helped to coordinate a policy commission on securing critical materials for the UK, chaired by former Chief Scientific Advisor Sir John Beddington.

Through the Royal Society’s Science in Parliament scheme, early in 2020 Gavin also shadowed Liz Saville Roberts MP, gaining insight into the interaction between science and policy. Since then, he’s been invited to contribute to many policy discourses, such as the House of Lords Environment & Climate Change Select Committee.

More recently, Gavin travelled to Mongolia and Kazakhstan with the Department for Business and Trade, exploring opportunities for international collaboration on critical materials.

“Science doesn’t operate in a vacuum. To offer meaningful policy advice, you need to understand how science connects with economics, law, and society.”

Reflections on a career with the Faraday Institution

Gavin credits being part of the Faraday Institution with helping him build a network of supportive collaborators.

“The Faraday Institution community is diverse, dynamic and forward-looking. It’s allowed me to work across disciplines, institutions and continents; connect with policymakers and bring ideas into reality.”

As for his advice to early career researchers, Gavin is clear that success doesn’t require a conventional background.

“There’s no single path into battery research. If you’re open-minded, willing to learn, and willing to try, you’ll find opportunities.

“Showing up makes opportunities snowball. Whether it’s responding to media requests or contributing to policy discussions, take part and be clear in your communication and it will lead to other opportunities.”

Above all, Gavin encourages early career researchers to find what drives them, and keep persevering.

“‘Remain indefatigable’ is a motto from one of my teachers that has stayed with me since my school days: persist tirelessly. If you care about the subject and are willing to work at it, there’s space for you, even if you don’t fit the usual mold.”

Read more:

• Read Recycling lithium-ion batteries from electric vehicles, Nature, 2019.
• Learn more about the ReLiB project.
• Discover how Tyseley Energy Park is transforming battery recycling.
• Find out how the Faraday Institution supports early career researchers.
• Read the policy commission report Securing Technology Critical Metals for Britain
• Gavin Harper LinkedIn 

#FaradayPathway written by Rebecca Dawes, Science Communications Intern, and published July 2025.