Philip Ball
Philip Ball is a freelance science writer.
He worked previously at Nature for over 20 years, first as an editor for physical sciences and then as a Consultant Editor. His writings on science for the popular press have covered topical issues ranging from cosmology to the future of molecular biology.
Philip is the author of many popular books on science and has delivered lectures to scientific and general audiences at venues ranging from the Victoria and Albert Museum (London) to the NASA Ames Research Center, London's National Theatre and the London School of Economics.
Philip writes regularly for Nature. He has contributed to publications ranging from New Scientist to the New York Times, the Guardian, the Financial Times and New Statesman. He is a contributing editor of Prospect magazine and also a columnist for Nature Materials and the Italian science magazine Sapere. He has broadcast on many occasions on radio and TV, and is a presenter of 'Science Stories' on BBC Radio 4. He is a Fellow of the Royal Society of Chemistry, sits on the editorial board of Chemistry World and Interdiscipinary Science Reviews, and is a board member of the RESOLV network on solvation science at the Ruhr University of Bochum.
ResearchDNA helix has chiral water ‘spine’
Spectroscopy reveals how water molecules form a chiral superstructure in DNA’s minor groove
OpinionDid life emerge from hell on Earth?
Why our origins may lie in the Hadean era, 4 billion years ago
ResearchControversial metallic hydrogen claim under new scrutiny
Three high pressure groups pile on criticism as original ‘metallic hydrogen’ sample lost during catastrophic equipment failure
OpinionPolymer amphiphiles could help reveal the origins of life
Spontaneous shapes and reactions to light may explain how protocells form
FeatureShedding light on the dark proteome
Around half of all human proteins are a mystery. What do they look like, asks Phil Ball
OpinionScience communication in the post-truth era
Do popular science articles make the public overconfident about their own expertise?
ResearchExotic antimatter used to probe molecule's reactivity
Muonium spectroscopy can reveal photochemical reactivity and dynamics of specific carbons within an organic molecule
ResearchDye detective work uncovers Perkin’s chemistry secrets
The pioneering Victorian chemist didn’t reveal all in his patent on the first synthetic purple dye
OpinionShould we allow 'genetic vaccination' with Crispr?
Gene editing could wipe out diseases such as AIDS – but the risks can’t be ignored
OpinionSolving the riddle of the glowing stones
The mysterious luminescence of the Bologna Stone was the wonder of the 17th century
ResearchMicroscopy reveals secret of beryl’s iron heart
Discovery of metal stuffed channels in mineral family that includes emerald and aquamarine points way to tuning the material’s colour
OpinionTime to revolt against impact factors
Perverse incentives hurt science – the top universities need to fight back
OpinionHow Frankenstein left chemistry with a monstrous reputation
Shelley’s masterpiece was inspired by the cutting-edge science of her time
ResearchBond activation probed using x-ray laser
Observations of the oxygen–ruthenium bond could help improve catalyst design
OpinionGeneral dietary advice should be taken with a pinch of salt
We must move away from labeling foods as universally good or bad and start talking about dose
ResearchQuantum computer simulates hydrogen molecule
Prototype shows potential for more complex electronic structure calculations
