The 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics recognized J. Michael Kosterlitz for his theoretical discoveries regarding topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter. Born in 1943 in Aberdeen, Scotland, he pursued a career in condensed matter physics that bridged theoretical frameworks with experimental observation, later earning international distinction for his contributions to one- and two-dimensional physics research.
Academic Foundation
Kosterlitz attended Robert Gordon's College before moving to the Edinburgh Academy. His undergraduate studies were completed at Gonville and Caius College, Cambridge, where he earned a BA that was later converted to an MA. He concluded his formal academic training in 1969 by obtaining a DPhil from the University of Oxford as a postgraduate student at Brasenose College.
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After completing his doctoral studies, Kosterlitz held postdoctoral positions at Cornell University and the University of Birmingham. During his time at Birmingham, he collaborated with David Thouless. He transitioned to a faculty role at the University of Birmingham in 1974, serving as a lecturer and reader. In 1982, he moved to the United States to accept a position as a professor of physics at Brown University. His research interests include random systems, electron localization, spin glasses, and critical dynamics such as melting and freezing.
Alpinism and Physical Endeavours
Throughout the 1960s and 1970s, Kosterlitz was active in the mountaineering community. He focused on climbing routes in the United Kingdom, the Italian Alps, and Yosemite. His notable technical achievements include the first ascent of the Fessura Kosterlitz in the Orco Valley and the first repeat of the American Direct on the West Face of the Petit Dru. He is associated with the Nuovo Mattino movement, which prioritized free, aid-less ascents through the use of updated climbing technologies.
Professional Recognition
His work on phase transitions, particularly the Berezinskii–Kosterlitz–Thouless transition, resulted in several honours. In 1981, he received the Maxwell Medal and Prize from the British Institute of Physics. This was followed by the Lars Onsager Prize in 2000 from the American Physical Society, an organisation where he has served as a Fellow since 1992. In 2026, he was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society.
Fast facts
- Born: 1943, Aberdeen
- Citizenship: United States, United Kingdom
- Doctoral Degree: University of Oxford, 1969
- Notable Award: Nobel Prize in Physics, 2016
- Current Academic Affiliation: Brown University
- Professional Recognition: Fellow of the Royal Society, 2026
- Religious View: Atheism
Questions readers ask
What specific physics area did Kosterlitz win the Nobel Prize for?
He was awarded the 2016 Nobel Prize in Physics for theoretical discoveries of topological phase transitions and topological phases of matter.
Did Kosterlitz have interests outside of physics?
Yes, he was a pioneering climber in the 1960s and 1970s, known for his work in the Italian Alps and the Nuovo Mattino movement.
Achievements
- Nobel Prize in Physics — 2016
- Fellow of the Royal Society — 2026
- Held posts at Brown University and University of Birmingham
- Educated at Brasenose College, Gonville and Caius College and Robert Gordon's College
- Fields of research: physicist
