{{Short description|English biochemist}} {{Use British English|date=August 2014}} {{Use dmy dates|date=April 2026}} {{Infobox scientist | name = David Phoenix | honorific_suffix = {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|DL|FREng|FAcSS|size=100%}} | image = | caption = | birth_name = David Andrew Phoenix | birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1966|02|26}} | birth_place = Davyhulme, Lancashire, England | fields = Biochemistry/Biophysics/Molecular engineering | workplaces = University of Liverpool <br /> University of Utrecht <br /> University of Central Lancashire | education = University of Liverpool <br />Open University | doctoral_advisor = | academic_advisors = | doctoral_students = | notable_students = | known_for = Peptide-lipid interaction; function of antibacterial peptides | author_abbrev_bot = | author_abbrev_zoo = | influences = | influenced = | awards = Order of the British Empire 2010<br/>Deputy Lieutenant 2015 <br />Friendship Award (China) 2016 | religion = | signature = | footnotes = }}
'''David Andrew Phoenix''' {{post-nominals|country=GBR|OBE|DL|FREng|FAcSS}} (born 1966) is an English biochemist and Vice-Chancellor of The Open University.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=The Open University |url=https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/around-ou/the-open-university-appoints-new-vice-chancellor-2/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==Academic background== Phoenix read biochemistry at the University of Liverpool then studied part-time to obtain a degree in mathematics from the Open University before moving into the field of molecular engineering. His work remains multidisciplinary and he has published widely on the structure-function relationship of amphiphilic biomolecules,<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.researchgate.net/profile/David_Phoenix/ |title=David Andrew Phoenix (London South Bank University, London) on ResearchGate - Expertise: Biomedical Engineering, Biochemistry |website=Researchgate.net |date= |accessdate=2017-01-12}}</ref> obtaining a chair in Biochemistry in 2000. He is especially known for his work on the design of antimicrobial peptides <ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.wiley.com/en-gb/Antimicrobial+Peptides-p-9783527332632 |title=Antimicrobial Peptides, Wiley Publishers 2013 |date= |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref> which led to the award of a Higher Doctorate by Liverpool University. He has held Visiting Chairs in Russia, China, Canada and the UK, including King's College London and Sichuan University.
In addition to research papers, edited collections and research monographs he has <!--also been recognised for publication of undergraduate textbooks and--> written widely on the development of technical education and skills.{{citation needed|date=December 2024}} He was elected to the Academy of Social Sciences for this work.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acss.org.uk/fellows/#name-P |title=Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences |date= |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref>
He has been involved in STEM communication and outreach as Editor in Chief for journals such as ''The Biologist'' (Royal Society of Biology) that are aimed at a broader readership and as Vice Chair of the Science Museum Group and Chair of the Museum for Science and Industry.
==Significant awards== * 2009 Doctor of Science, Liverpool University. * 2010 Officer of the Order of the British Empire (OBE).<ref>{{London Gazette |issue=59446 |date=12 June 2010 |page=12 |supp=y }}</ref> * 2012 Academician of the Academy of Social Sciences.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://acss.org.uk/fellows/#name-P |title=Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences |date= |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref> * 2013 Honorary Doctorate of the University of Bolton (DUniv).<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=http://www.bolton.ac.uk/MediaCentre/Articles/2013/June2013-14.aspx |title=University announces July honours | University of Bolton |website=Bolton.ac.uk |date=2013-06-27 |accessdate=2017-01-12}}</ref> * 2013 Elected as a non-medic to Fellowship of the Royal College of Physicians of Edinburgh.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.rcpe.ac.uk/membership/directory?combine=D+Phoenix&field_gmc_number_value= |title=Fellow of Royal College Physicians (Edinburgh) |date=2023-09-17 |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref> * 2015 Deputy Lieutenant, DL, Greater London.<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://greaterlondonlieutenancy.com/about-us/our-people/deputy-lieutenants/ |title=Greater London Lieutenancy |date=2023-08-17 |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref> * 2016 Appointed to Friendship Award (China)<ref>{{cite web|author= |url=https://www.millionplus.ac.uk/news/press-releases/millionplus-chair-honoured-with-chinas-friendship-award |title=Phoenix given China Friendship Award |date=2016-09-26 |accessdate=2023-08-17}}</ref> * 2023 Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering
==Professional recognition== He was granted Chartered Chemist, Chartered Biologist and Chartered Mathematician status. Phoenix was given Fellowships by the Royal Society of Chemistry (FRSC), the Royal Society of Biology (FRSB), the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications. (FIMA), the Royal Society of Medicine (FRSM) and the Institution of Engineering and Technology (FIET). His work in support of teaching was recognised by the award of a Senior Fellowship<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/professional/recognition/Scheme/seniorfellows |title=Seniorfellows |accessdate=2009-10-29 |url-status=dead |archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20080308135447/http://www.heacademy.ac.uk/ourwork/professional/recognition/Scheme/seniorfellows |archivedate=8 March 2008 |df=dmy-all }}</ref> by the Higher Education Academy and later advanced to Principal Fellow. Phoenix represented the UK on the European Committee of Biological Associations (ECBA) and was a Commissioner for Biotechnology.
==Career history== He was awarded a long-term fellowship by the European Molecular Biology Organisation which enabled him to investigate the importance of amphiphilicity in protein translocation at Utrecht University Centre for Biomembranes and Lipid Enzymology.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}} He continued to work on amphiphilic helices, being one of the first to help characterise their role as membrane protein anchors and identifying key design features of bioactive peptides.{{citation needed|date=July 2025}}
He was the Inaugural Head of Forensic and Investigative Science at the University of Central Lancashire and later as dean of science and Technology he launched new Schools of Pharmacy and of architecture. As Deputy Vice-Chancellor he setup UCLan Biomedical Technology Ltd, a research institute based in Shenzhen, China .<ref>[http://www.uclan.ac.uk/research/files/NanoTechnologyBrochure.pdf]{{dead link|date=January 2017}}</ref> and oversaw the development of research collaborations with key Chinese universities such as Fudan University and Sichuan University in areas of nanoscience and nanoengineering. In 2012 he became Chair of UCLan Cyprus Ltd and provided the academic lead on the de novo creation of a private university in Larnaca, obtaining a licence to operate from the Ministry of Education with approval to initially run courses in business, languages, law, computing and mathematics.<ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.theguardian.com/education/2012/aug/06/uk-higher-education-overseas-markets|title=Britain, where you can get a flat-pack campus|first=Jonn|last=Elledge|date=6 August 2012|newspaper=The Guardian}}</ref>
In 2013 he was selected to replace Martin Earwicker upon his retirement as Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of London South Bank University,<ref>{{cite web|last=Elmes |first=John |url=http://www.timeshighereducation.co.uk/news/lsbu-to-take-orders-from-phoenix/2006767.article |title=LSBU to take orders from Phoenix | Times Higher Education (THE) |publisher=Times Higher Education |date= 24 August 2013|accessdate=2017-01-12}}</ref> later obtaining Ministerial approval to create the LSBU Group which includes London South Bank Technical College, the first comprehensive technical college for a generation and a new technical sixth form.
He served as Chair of [http://www.millionplus.ac.uk/ MillionPlus], The Association for Modern Universities <ref>{{cite web|last=Morgan |first=John |url=https://www.timeshighereducation.com/news/south-bank-head-dave-phoenix-to-be-new-million-chair/2020266.article |title=South Bank head Dave Phoenix to be new Million+ chair | Times Higher Education (THE) |publisher=Times Higher Education |date= 18 May 2015|accessdate=2017-01-12}}</ref> and has also been a Non-Executive Director on Universities UK, the National Center for Universities and Business and London Higher.
In July 2025, he was appointed as the Vice-Chancellor of The Open University.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-12-18 |title=The Open University |url=https://www.open.ac.uk/blogs/news/around-ou/the-open-university-appoints-new-vice-chancellor-2/ |access-date=2025-07-02 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== * [http://www.uclan.ac.uk University of Central Lancashire] * [http://www.heacademy.ac.uk Higher Education Academy website] * [http://www.uclancyprus.ac.cy/en UCLan Cyprus website] * [https://web.archive.org/web/20120113185200/http://uclannanobio.com/shenshen-centre.php?s=222 Institute of Nanotechnology and Nanoengineering]
{{s-start}} {{s-aca}} {{s-bef|before=Martin Earwicker}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice-Chancellor of<br />London South Bank University|years=2014–2025}} {{s-aft|after=Paul Kett}}
{{s-bef|before=Tim Blackman}} {{s-ttl|title=Vice-Chancellor of<br />The Open University|years=2025-present}} {{s-inc}}
{{s-npo|pro}} {{s-bef|before=Michael Gunn}} {{s-ttl|title=Chair of MillionPlus|years=2015–2020}} {{s-aft|after=Bill Rammell}} {{s-end}}
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Phoenix, David}} Category:1966 births Category:Living people Category:Scientists from Lancashire Category:Alumni of the Open University Category:Alumni of the University of Liverpool Category:Academics of the University of Lancashire Category:English biochemists Category:British computational chemists Category:Mathematics writers Category:English science writers Category:Officers of the Order of the British Empire Category:Fellows of the Academy of Social Sciences Category:Fellows of the Royal Society of Chemistry Category:Fellows of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications Category:Vice-chancellors of the University of Central Lancashire Category:Vice-chancellors of London South Bank University Category:Deputy lieutenants of Greater London