Prof. Shaowei Zhang moved to Exeter from Sheffield, where he worked for 14 years as a postdoctoral research associate, an EPSRC advanced fellow, and a member of academic staff. Before joining Sheffield, he worked in Nagoya, Japan for 5 years, both as a PhD student and a member of academic staff. His main research interests are the microstructures and processing and properties of advanced ceramics and high-temperature composites. Current research topics include the development of nanostructured low-carbon composites, design of phase-change material composites for thermal storage, novel synthesis of graphene and graphene quantum dots, and preparation of porous ceramics. Other work includes preparation of oxide/carbide coatings and novel armour materials and development of ultrahigh-temperature ceramics. In addition to research, he has acted as a consultant to more than 15 ceramics companies and their user companies.