Hiley is a British quantum physicist and professor emeritus of the University of London.

Hiley is known for his work with fellow scientist David Bohm, co-authoring the book The Undivided Universe with Bohm, which is considered the main reference for Bohm’s interpretation of quantum theory.

In 1961 Hiley was appointed assistant lecturer at Birkbeck College, where Bohm had taken the chair of Theoretical Physics shortly before.  Hiley wanted to investigate how physics could be based on a notion of process, and he found that Bohm held similar ideas. Hiley worked with David Bohm for many years on fundamental problems of theoretical physics.

In 1995, Basil Hiley was appointed to the chair in physics at Birkbeck. He was awarded the 2012 Majorana Prize in the category The Best Person in Physics for the algebraic approach to quantum mechanics and furthermore in recognition of ″his paramount importance as natural philosopher, his critical and open minded attitude towards the role of science in contemporary culture”.