Born and raised in Aberdare, Dr Evans was educated at Aberdare Boys' Grammar School, where he developed an interest in physics and graduated in 1969 from Swansea University.
Wedi’i eni a’i fagu yn Aberdâr, cafodd Dr Evans ei addysg yn yr Ysgol Ramadeg i Fechgyn yn Aberdâr, lle datblygodd ei ddiddordeb mewn ffiseg.