Ard Louis

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Ard Louis
Born
Ard A. Louis

Netherlands
NationalityDutch
Alma materUtrecht University
Cornell University (PhD)
AwardsRoyal Society University Research Fellow
Scientific career
FieldsPhysics
Chemistry
Biology
InstitutionsUniversity of Oxford
University of Cambridge

Ard A. Louis is a Professor of Theoretical Physics at the University of Oxford, where he leads an interdisciplinary research group that investigates scientific problems on the border between disciplines such as chemistry, physics, and biology,[1] and is also director of graduate studies in theoretical physics.[2]

Education and early life

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Louis was born in the Netherlands, and raised in Gabon.[3] He received his first degree from the University of Utrecht and his PhD in theoretical physics from Cornell University, where he worked with Neil Ashcroft.[4]

Career and research

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From 2002 to 2010 Louis was a Royal Society University Research Fellow at the University of Cambridge and the University of Oxford. He is also an associate of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion.[5] He has written for the BioLogos Foundation,[6][7] where as of November 2011, he sat on the board of directors.[8] He has been criticised[9] by the Discovery Institute for his opposition to the intelligent design movement. In 2013 he was elected a member of the International Society for Science and Religion.[10] Prior to his post at Oxford, Louis taught theoretical chemistry at the University of Cambridge where he was also director of studies in Natural Sciences at Hughes Hall, Cambridge. With David Malone he made the 4-part documentary Why Are We Here[11] for Tern TV.

Louis also appears[12] in the episode Proof of God in the series The Story of God with Morgan Freeman, giving him an Erdős–Bacon number of 6.[13] He also engages in molecular gastronomy.[14] Louis identifies as a Christian.[15]

He was awarded the 2025 Sam Edwards Prize and Medal from the Institute of Physics "For pioneering the development of novel mathematical and numerical models that have contributed to understanding of soft matter and biological physics across length scales."[16][17]

References

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  1. ^ "Professor Ard Louis Personal Home Page". www-thphys.physics.ox.ac.uk.
  2. ^ Ard Louis publications from Europe PubMed Central Edit this at Wikidata
  3. ^ Friedlander Jr., Blaine P. (1997-05-27). "Ben Michelson will help restore the rain forest in the Republic of Gabon". news.cornell.edu. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2010-04-08.
  4. ^ "Ard Louis - The Oxford Centre for Soft & Biological Matter". www.softbio.ox.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2021-06-11. Retrieved 2021-03-16.
  5. ^ "Biography - Dr Ard Louis". st-edmunds.cam.ac.uk. Archived from the original on 2011-06-07. Retrieved 2010-01-07. Dr. Louis is the International Secretary for Christians in Science and an associate of the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion
  6. ^ Louis, Ard. "How Does the BioLogos Model Need to Address Concerns Christians Have About the Implications of its Science?" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2011-01-16. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  7. ^ Louis, Ard. "Miracles and Science: The Long Shadow of David Hume*" (PDF). Archived from the original (PDF) on 2010-12-07. Retrieved 2011-01-25.
  8. ^ "Board of Directors | the BioLogos Forum". Archived from the original on 2011-11-16. Retrieved 2011-11-13.
  9. ^ Klinghoffer, David (27 May 2014). "The Meyer-Louis Debate Concludes: Is Intellectual Passivity the Responsible Choice?". Science and Culture Today. Retrieved 2025-10-26.
  10. ^ "Members Login Fellows & Associates".
  11. ^ "Why Are We Here - About - Presenters". whyarewehere.tv. Retrieved 26 October 2025.
  12. ^ "National Geographic Announces Second Season of 'The Story of God with Morgan Freeman". shadowandact.com. 2016-12-12. Retrieved 27 January 2017. In each episode Freeman meets with individuals, faith leaders, scientists and archaeologists to help him understand these big topics, including the following: (...) Theoretical physicist Ard Louis, who believes that you can find God in scientific knowledge.
  13. ^ Louis, Ard. "Website". Retrieved 8 March 2019.
  14. ^ "Album Archive".{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: url-status (link)
  15. ^ "Do I have to have God to have Meaning? With Ard Louis - beyond the Forum". veritas.org. Retrieved 2023-02-09.
  16. ^ "2025 Sam Edwards Medal and Prize: Professor Ard Louis | Institute of Physics". www.iop.org. Retrieved 2025-10-15.
  17. ^ Indaco, Elizabeth (2025-10-13). "Professor Louis awarded IOP Sam Edwards Medal | University of Oxford Department of Physics". www.physics.ox.ac.uk. Retrieved 2025-10-17.