Emeritus Professor Richardson completed the first PhD in Holography at the prestigious Royal College of Art in 1988. His research pursued the optical distortion of a process known as reduction, whereby images of the human form could be enlarged or reduced using complex optical systems and silver halide recording materials.

He was soon awarded the Millennium Fellowship sponsored by the UK Government Commission and later, in 2009, awarded the Royal Photographic Society’s Saxby Medal’ in recognition of his achievements and contributions to advancing holographic imaging and its science. He has made holograms of many celebrated people, including film directors Martin Scorsese and Alan Parker, the fine artist Sir Peter Blake, writers Will Self and Auberon Waugh, and musician David Bowie. In 2023, Richardson’s entire body of work, over eight hundred holograms, was acquired by the National Science Museum in London as part of its permanent collection. The collection is available to the public on request.

His holography research into physics has advanced our understanding of light and its properties and transformed how we perceive and interact with visual information. His contributions have paved the way for a future where holographic technology is an integral part of our everyday lives, opening new realms of possibility and expanding the horizons of human imagination with far-reaching implications across various industries, including entertainment, medicine, and education as holographic displays offer unparalleled opportunities in the gaming and entertainment sectors, providing immersive experiences that blur the line between reality and virtuality.

In addition to his ground-breaking research, Emeritus Professor Richardson is also an inspiring educator and mentor. Formally Head of the Modern Holography Group at De Montfort University, Leicester, where he actively engaged with students and encouraged them to explore the frontiers of scientific discovery. Under his guidance, many of his students have become pioneers in holography.

Born in 1958 to a working-class family in London, United Kingdom, he has dedicated his life to unravelling the mysteries of light and pushing the boundaries of optical science. One of Emeritus Professor Richardson’s most notable contributions to the field of holography is the development of a novel technique for capturing and projecting holographic images with unprecedented realism and precision. By integrating advanced optics and now AI, he can create holographic displays that convincingly simulate a three-dimensional presence.

Martin has published nine books, has seven patents, and over fifty papers accredited to his name.