Personal profile
Biography
Patricia Thornley (Aston University) is a fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering, with 30 years’ experience in sustainable energy and fuels. She is currently seconded as Chief Scientific Adviser to the Department for Transport 4 days per week, where she has responsibility for providing independent scientific advice to government on transport system. She leads the EPSRC and BBSRC funded doctoral training centre in negative missions and has been PI on £38M UKRI funded projects and Co-I on a further £30M.
Contact Details
E-mail: [email protected]
Phone: +44 (0)121 204 3671
PhD Supervision
I am keen to hear from potential research studnets interested in process modelling, life cycle assessment, techno-economic analysis, greenhouse gas balances, resource assessment, integrated assessment and policy issues related to biomass and low carbon energy.
Education/Academic qualification
PhD, The influence of feedstock properties on gasification plant performance, University of Ulster
1 Aug 1993 → 1 Jul 1996
Award Date: 1 Jul 1996
BSc, Physics, University of Durham
1 Oct 1990 → 1 Jul 1993
Award Date: 1 Jul 1993
External positions
Editor in chief, Biomass and Bioenergy, Elsevier
1 Dec 2018 → …
Chief Scientific Adviser, Department for Transport
28 Feb 2001
Keywords
- GE Environmental Sciences
- TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
- QD Chemistry
- SD Forestry
Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals
In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):
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SDG 2 Zero Hunger -
SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy -
SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth -
SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities -
SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production -
SDG 13 Climate Action -
SDG 15 Life on Land
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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years
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Analysis of the Availability of Sustainable, Biogenic Gasoline in Europe
Knaup, L., Knost, F., Weimer, N., Beidl, C., Thornley, P., Röder, M., Yesufu, J., Szalay, K., Ganti, R. T., Fuchs, C., Arnold, U. & Sauer, J., 4 Jan 2026, Internationaler Motorenkongress 2025: Conference proceedings. Heintzel, A. (ed.). Springer, p. 399-412 (Proceedings).Research output: Chapter in Book/Published conference output › Conference publication
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Evaluating long-term thermal performance and soil recovery in energy piles under various operational modes
Shadabi, S., Mehravar, M., Rezk, A., Ardakani, F. & Thornley, P., 1 Jan 2026, In: Renewable Energy. 256, Part E, 17 p., 124255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile1 Link opens in a new tab Citation (Scopus)13 Downloads (Pure) -
Policy frameworks to maximise sustainability benefits of bioenergy systems
Thornley, P. & Roeder, M., 1 May 2026, In: Annals of Applied Biology. 188, 3, p. 917-927 11 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile2 Downloads (Pure) -
A socio-economic and multi-criterion decision analysis approach for a holistic sustainability assessment of mango waste-based integrated biorefineries
Manhongo, T. T., Chimphango, A., Thornley, P. & Röder, M., 27 Oct 2025, In: Environment, Development and Sustainability. 24 p.Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)1 Downloads (Pure) -
A systematic review of technologies, measures, and CO2 emission reduction potential for maritime transport decarbonisation
Fadaie, S., Thornley, P. & Souppez, J.-B. R. G., 1 Dec 2025, In: Advances in Applied Energy. 20, 24 p., 100255.Research output: Contribution to journal › Review article › peer-review
Open AccessFile3 Link opens in a new tab Citations (SciVal)5 Downloads (Pure)
Prizes
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Hydrogen Award
Amiri, A. (Recipient), Thornley, P. (Recipient), Wu, Z. (Recipient), Banks, S. (Recipient) & Blanco Sanchez, P. (Recipient), 2025
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
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Finalist for Academic Excellence in Hydrogen Research and Innovation Award
Amiri, A. (Recipient), Thornley, P. (Recipient), Blanco Sanchez, P. (Recipient) & Wu, Z. (Recipient), 2024
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)