Paul Taylor is from West Yorkshire. He studied for a BSc and PhD in Chemistry at the University of Durham before spending two years as a postdoctoral fellow at the University of Geneva. He moved to Warwick as a Lecturer in 1991, where he became a Reader in Organic Chemistry as well as Director of IATL.

Paul's academic interests are varied and include collaborative interdisciplinary projects both with Engineers and with Biologists. At Warwick he taught organic chemistry to undergraduates, with a particular focus on the practice of the subject. As Director of the Reinvention Centre, Paul was engaged in HEFCE-funded research into Teaching and Learning in a Research-rich Environment. His pedagogic interests at the time of leaving Warwick were in Sustainability, Diversity, Enterprise and Student Engagement.

In January 2015, Paul moved to the University of Leeds to become Professor of Chemical Education & Director of Student Education.