Professor Evans' research  focusses on  the statistical mechanics of non-equilibirum systems. Such systems  are all-pervasive in nature and form   the central challenge of modern statistical physics -- the classical assumptions of thermal equilibrium do not  apply to most real world systems.
Professor Evans has contributed to establishing  a now  vibrant and expanding field by  elucidating the properties of simple  mathematical models through various analytical and numerical techniques. These models, such as the asymmetric exclusion process and zero-range process which have proved fundamental in demonstrating unexpected phenomena such as nonequililbrium phase tranistions and are now used as baseline models for various biophysical systems.  Current research initiative is to develop the application of these fundamental models to problems of biophysical transport, such as molecular motors, and to other  complex non-equilibrium systems.

I have taught many courses at various levels within the University, mainly concerening Mathematical Physics and Statistical Physics. Most recently I have taught a Level-9 Electromagnetism course to all Mathematical Physics, Physics and Theoretical Phyiscs undergraduates, details of which can be found at http://www2.ph.ed.ac.uk/~mevans/em/.