Speakers

Dr Lewis Hill is General Manager of the UK Photonics Leadership Group (PLG), the organisation that brings together leaders from industry, academia and government to strengthen the UK's photonics sector and help shape its long-term strategic direction. Working alongside the PLG Executive, Lewis is helping to expand the PLG's role in supporting innovation, informing policy and strengthening the UK's international partnerships across the rapidly evolving photonics landscape. Prior to his leadership within the PLG, Lewis was a Senior Scientist at the Max Planck Institute for the Science of Light in Germany, where his research focused on nonlinear photonics, optical frequency combs and Kerr resonators. He completed his PhD through the University of Strathclyde in partnership with the UK's National Physical Laboratory and the Postgraduate Institute for Measurement Science, before undertaking research appointments across Europe, Canada and New Zealand. Lewis is widely recognised for his commitment to developing the international photonics community and supporting the next generation of scientific and industrial leaders. He serves as Chair of the PLG's Future Photonics Leaders Group, Chair of Optica's Nonlinear Optics Technical Group and as an Optica Ambassador. Through these roles, together with his wider engagement across the global photonics community, including close collaboration with SPIE and other leading organisations, he has worked extensively with researchers, industry, professional societies and early-career scientists and engineers to foster collaboration, develop future leaders and enhance the international visibility of UK photonics.