Gillian Reid

Reid became interested in chemistry while at high school. She eventually studied chemistry at the University of Edinburgh, where she earned her bachelor's degree in 1986. She remained there for her doctoral research, where she studied macrocyclic complexes. After earning her degree in 1989, and a 2-year postdoctoral research position in Edinburgh, Reid moved to a lectureship in the University of Southampton.

In 1991, Reid joined the University of Southampton as a lecturer. She was promoted to Professor in 2006. Under her leadership, Southampton joined the Knowledge Centre for Materials Chemistry. Reid leads molecular assembly and structure at the University of Southampton.

Her research considers inorganic coordination chemistry, with a particular focus on the design of macrocyclic ligands that involve chalcogen donor atoms. She makes use of non-aqueous electrodeposition to grow inorganic semiconductor alloys. Electrodeposition allows for bottom-up growth without the need for an ultra-high vacuum environment. Reid has created molecular reagents that allow the synthesis of compounds for use in non-volatile memory, thermoelectric generators and two-dimensional materials. The reagents were used to deposit a wide variety of thin films including highly pure germanium telluride, molybdenum disulphide and tungsten disulphide.

In 2002, Reid co-founded the Southampton Science and Engineering Day, which has since evolved into the Southampton Science and Engineering Festival. The event was founded to coincide with British Science Week, which occurs annually in March. In 2010, Reid was made the Head of the Department of Chemistry Outreach Programme. In 2015, she co-led the Royal Society Summer Science exhibit Taking Technology Smaller, which introduced the public to electrochemistry as a means to build nanoscale electronic devices.

Reid has two children and a dog.