Prof. Allan Walton

Professor Allan Walton is Professor of Critical and Magnetic Materials at the University of Birmingham and Co-Director of the Birmingham Centre for Strategic Elements and Critical Materials (BCSECM), a leading interdisciplinary research centre focused on securing sustainable supplies of critical raw materials through recycling, reuse, substitution, and advanced processing technologies.

An internationally recognized expert in magnetic materials and rare earth technologies, Professor Walton's research focuses on permanent magnets, critical materials, rare earth recycling, hydrogen processing of materials, solid-state hydrogen storage, and sustainable manufacturing. His work has played a significant role in addressing global supply chain challenges associated with rare earth elements and other strategically important materials that underpin clean energy technologies, electric vehicles, and advanced manufacturing.

Professor Walton is a former Chair of the UK Magnetics Society and has published extensively on magnetic materials, critical minerals, and resource sustainability. Through BCSECM, he works closely with industry, government, and academic partners to strengthen resilience across critical mineral supply chains and support the development of low-carbon technologies.