The UK’s Industrial Visiting Academic Scheme is a program which connects universities with industry to help academics understand real-world challenges, strengthen partnerships, and promote two-way knowledge exchange.
Dr Alex Leide – Cranfield University
Dr Alex Leide, a Senior Materials Engineer at UKAEA’s Materials Division, has been awarded ‘recognised teacher’ status at Cranfield University’s Faculty of Engineering and Applied Sciences. In this role, Dr Leide will be teaching on the Advanced Materials MSc, including modules in:
- Industrial Applications of Advanced Materials
- Materials Selection and Design
- Materials for a Net Zero Future
- Modelling for Materials
In this role, Alex will contribute to careers day at Cranfield and the establish mentoring pipelines into working in fusion.
As a Royal Academy of Engineering Research Fellow, Dr Leide will afford Cranfield University the opportunity to expand knowledge into high temperature reactor materials specialising in SiC composites and coated particle fuels (commonly called TRISO). Cranfield will also benefit from the fact that Dr Leide has worked previously at the university where he supervised two individual project student dissertations on molten salt corrosion and composite metal joining. The selection of this award as recognised teacher is aligned to Cranfield’s broad expertise in adjacent technologies including aerospace, hydrogen, defence and their growing clean energy research and teaching.
Commenting on this award, Dr Leide said:
I am looking forward to engaging with Cranfield University to incorporate fusion into the learning provided to students. My goal is to generate enthusiasm and excitement about the opportunities in the fusion industry and help plug the skills gap by training a diverse range of graduates with experience and skills for fusion. Being part of the UKAEA IVAS cohort allows us to share teaching materials and insights to support teaching at several universities around the country.
Dr David Ayre, Course Director for Advanced Materials MSc at Cranfield University, acknowledging the skills needed to support fusion commented:
At Cranfield University we design and deliver courses with an industrial focus, providing our students the skills to solve tomorrow’s challenges. Fusion is a growing industry requiring materials science and engineering technical expertise. Alex will be supporting activities to develop fusion education in our Advanced Materials MSc and associated courses. We look forward to working with Alex on his contributions to our students’ learning and professional development.
Dr Alex Dickinson-Lomas – University of Birmingham
Under the UK’s Industrial Visiting Academic Scheme, Materials Division’s Materials Scientist Dr Alex Dickinson-Lomas has been appointed as Honorary Assistant Professor in Metallurgy and Materials within the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences at the University of Birmingham. In this role, Dr Dickinson-Lomas will be guest lecturing on undergraduate modules across the university, including materials science and engineering, mechanical engineering, and computer science, to broaden the awareness of career and research opportunities in fusion technology.
As a recent Birmingham University PhD graduate, Dr Dickinson-Lomas studied radiation damage in structural steels for fission, where she also embraced the opportunity to teach throughout her time as a post-graduate researcher. With this background, the University of Birmingham will benefit from lectures on the basics of fusion with a special focus on relevant case studies tailored to each cohort. In addition, students at the university will also profit from elective “Fusion Challenge” workshops, which are open to all undergraduate students at the end of the academic year. These workshops provide a great opportunity to develop key research and professional skills whilst working in teams to solve key challenges to the fusion industry.
When asked what this appointment meant to Dr Dickinson-Lomas, she said:
The opportunity to share the fascinating world of fusion research and technology on programmes that previously haven’t covered these topics is so exciting. I also really hope that the IVAS activities will open doors for students across disciplines and inspire them to pursue a future in the fusion industry.
Prof. Samual Cruchley, Professor of Materials Science and Engineering Education and Deputy Director of Education for the College of Engineering and Physics Science at the University of Birmingham had this to say on Dr. Alex Dickinson-Lomas’s nomination:
We are thrilled to be collaborating on this exciting initiative and to continue strengthening our partnership with UKAEA. Dr Alex Dickinson-Lomas’ appointment as Honorary Assistant Professor at the University of Birmingham represents a fantastic opportunity to inspire the next generation of engineers and scientists, by helping to equip students with the skills and vision needed to shape the future of clean energy.