Peter Main graduated from the University of Birmingham before carrying out research into very low temperature physics at the University of Manchester, where he obtained his PhD, and at Helsinki University of Technology. He then moved to the University of Nottingham as a lecturer, becoming a Reader and finally Professor and Head of Department. During this time, his research interests included the superfluid properties of liquid helium and experimental quantum mechanical effects in nanoscale semiconductors. Just before leaving Nottingham, he helped establish a facility for diamagnetic levitation. While at Nottingham, he was heavily involved in a number of educational initiatives, including the development of a radical MPhys course which attracted a great deal of attention.

Since leaving Nottingham, Professor Main has worked at the Institute of Physics. He has three main areas of interest. The first is to promote physics as a science, which involves both working with scientists and also interacting with funding agencies, such as research councils, funding councils and government. The second is to encourage diversity in physics; the Institute is now seen as a world leader among professional bodies in this area. Finally, he is responsible for all the Institute’s work in education, from primary schools to PhDs. Part of this work offers support to teachers and pupils but part of it is also to act as the voice of physics in dealing with government and its agencies.