EPSRC Deputy Director, Infrastructure and ICT
Dr Liam Blackwell is the Deputy Director for Infrastructure and Information and Communication Technology (ICT) in the Research Directorate at the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC).
As an EPSRC senior leader, he has relationship management responsibilities with key strategic partnerships.
Prior to this Liam was involved in EPSRC’s activities on trusted research and innovation and led EPSRC’s participation in the UK’s National Quantum Technologies Programme until late 2023. A programme which Liam had a key role in instigating and carrying forward into its second and third phases. This included the development of the Industrial Strategy Challenge Fund programme on quantum technologies and the establishment of the National Quantum Computing Centre, alongside EPSRC’s portfolio of quantum technologies research hubs and other research and training programmes.
Prior to this he was Head of the Quantum Technologies Theme at EPSRC from 2015 to 2018. From 2008 to 2017, Liam was the Head of the ICT Theme at EPSRC, responsible for the EPSRC’s strategy for ICT research and training. He has also worked in the Physics Programme team, Engineering Programme team and on delivery of the EPSRC’s strategy for nanotechnology.
Before joining EPSRC in 2000, Liam Blackwell completed his PhD in material science at the University of Leeds and spent two years working at the technology centre of a Devon based clay mining company.
Outside of work Liam is a keen hiker, skier, runner, and stop-motion animator.
Last updated: 31 March 2025