I joined Aston University in January 2009 where I was programme director for the Mechanical Engineering family of Undergraduate degrees from 2010-2017 and was also Head of Group (Department) for two three year terms from 2011, a time of significant growth for the group and a change in teaching culture to an active approach following CDIO guidelines.

Prior to my time at Aston I worked as an academic at the University of Dundee. In my time at Dundee I was involved in not only the Mechanical Engineering programme but I also set up a joint Product Design degree with Duncan of Jordanstone College of Art. 

Before this I was a researcher involved in laser applications at Heriot-Watt University in Edinburgh following a spell in industry as an R&D and manufacturing engineer in automotive fuel injection and as an assembly and test technician on mass spectrometer power supplies. 

My main research interest lies in the field of engineering education, how this aligns with commercial and societal needs, methods and approaches to deliver effective education and motivations to embark on an engineering career.

I also have interests in non-traditional manufacturing technology, particularly those related to additive manufacturing, automation and Industry 4.0 applications.

I am always very keen to hear from possible PhD students interested in doing research in these areas. Please feel free to discuss possible projects. 

My main teaching interests are in design, manufacture and smart systems technology.

I am module leader for :

ME1501 : Design & Experimentation
ME2045 : Solid Mechanics
ME3070 : Advanced Solid Mechanics & FEA
ME42PRO : MEng Group Project

• BEng (hons) Mechanical Engineering, Heriot-Watt University, 1989
• MPhil, Heriot-Watt University, 1992
• PhD in Laser Materials Processing, University of Dundee, 1998 

• 2009 – date: Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering, Aston University.
• 1993 – 2008: Lecturer, Mechanical Engineering, University of Dundee, Dundee
• 1991-1992: Research Associate – Laser Cutting Systems, Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh
• 1989 – 1990: Graduate Engineer, Lucas Diesel Systems, London & Gloucester 

Principal Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (PFHEA)
Member of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (MIMechE, CEng)

National Teaching Fellow (2016)

Phone Number: 0121 204 3608
Email: [email protected]