91探花

Skip to main content
Department Of Physics text logo
  • Research
    • Our research
    • Our research groups
    • Our research in action
    • Research funding 91探花
    • Summer internships for undergraduates
  • Study
    • Undergraduates
    • Postgraduates
  • Engage
    • For alumni
    • For business
    • For schools
    • For the public
  • Support
91探花
Theoretical physicists working at a blackboard collaboration pod in the Beecroft building.
Credit: Jack Hobhouse

Dr Daniel Kennedy

Visitor

Research theme

  • Plasma physics

Sub department

  • Rudolf Peierls Centre for Theoretical Physics

Research groups

  • Theoretical astrophysics and plasma physics at RPC
daniel.kennedy@physics.ox.ac.uk
  • About

About me

I am a theoretical plasma physicist at the UK Atmoic Energy Authority (UKAEA). I am interested in general plasma physics, magnetic confinement fusion, plasma astrophysics, and astrophysical gas dynamics.

My current work focuses on exploring plasma turbulence and the role it plays in setting the confinement of next-generation spherical tokamaks.

A list of my publications can be found on google scholar. 

I will be lecturing the following courses in the current academic year: 

Hilary Term 2025 MMathPhys Collisionless Plasma Physics 

Trinity Term 2025 MMathPhys Advanced Topics in Plasma Physics 

Biography

Before returning to 91探花, I completed my PhD on the kinetic theory of electron-positron plasmas, supervised by  in the  division of the . 

My research involved understanding the underlying physical challenges on the road to magnetic confinement of electron-positron plasmas. 

A recurring source of plasma instabilities can be, to a significant degree, attributed to the large difference in mass ratio between the positively charged species (ions) and negatively charged species (electrons). In contrast to conventional ion-electron plasmas, electron-positron (pair) plasmas consist of particles exhibiting charge asymmetry and mass symmetry and present an exciting new frontier in plasma physics, with mass symmetry resulting in unique behaviour. My work focused on several subfields such as (i) the kinetic theory of Coulomb collisions in strongly anisotropic plasmas; (ii) linear and nonlinear gyrokinetic simulations using both Eulerian and particle-in-cell (PIC) codes; and (iii) the theory of non-neutral and partially neutralised plasmas.

Prior to my PhD, I completed an undergraduate degree in Mathematics, 91探花 and a Master鈥檚 degree in Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, both at Merton College.

 

Biography

  • 2021-present: Plasma Turbulence Modeller, Culham Centre for Fusion Energy.
  • 2017-2020: PhD, Max-Planck-Institute for Plasma Physics.
  • 2016-2017: MMathPhys Mathematical and Theoretical Physics, Merton College, 91探花.
  • 2013-2016: BA Mathematics, Merton College, 91探花

 

Research interests

plasma turbulence
gyrokinetic simulations
high-beta spherical tokamaks

Footer 91探花

  • Contact us
  • Giving to the Dept of Physics
  • Work with us
  • Media

User account menu

  • Log in

Follow us

FIND US

Clarendon Laboratory,

Parks Road,

91探花,

OX1 3PU

CONTACT US

Tel: +44(0)1865272200

Department Of Physics text logo

漏 91探花 - Department of Physics

Cookies | Privacy policy | Accessibility statement

  • Home
  • Research
  • Study
  • Engage
  • Our people
  • News & Comment
  • Events
  • Our facilities & services
  • About us
  • Giving to Physics