School of Computing and Mathematics

My academic life began, as a mature student here at Keele, with a first degree in Electronics and Mathematics. This was immediately followed by a PhD in Diagnostic Ultrasonics awarded in 1997. Previously I had established a career in Engineering (mainly Power Electronics) at the local Michelin Tyre factory in Stoke on Trent. So I had done what most Engineering graduates do, but in reverse.

My PhD was followed by an unusually long five-year (1996-2001) post doctoral position investigating methods of defect detection in unfired ceramics using ultrasonics and X-ray imaging. It was during this period that an interest in broad-spectrum X-ray imaging took hold. This led to my second full time post doc (2005-07) investigating broad-spectrum element specific X-ray imaging with an underlying objective of crime prevention and forensics.

In between full time post doc periods I occupy the post of Honorary Research Fellow during which I teach part time for the School of Computing and Mathematics, and the Foundation Year Office.

My academic interests are quite broad, which is why I will never be regarded as a household name in any one area. I have published in areas as diverse as Time Series Analysis (Mathematics) and Cationic Polymerization (Organic Chemistry). However, by far the bulk of my publications fall under the heading of Non-Destructive Testing (NDT).

In addition to these I have a keen interest in Mathematical Physics, particularly General Relativity and interpretations of Quantum Mechanics. The latter invokes many deep philosophical questions and is still very controversial. Personally I favour a decoherence approach which seems to be growing in popularity. For anyone wishing to debate this I am always interested in alternative views.

MAT-10034: Money Matters
MAT-20004: Complex Variable I & Vector Calculus
MAT-20008: Differential Equations