Role: Professor
Company: University Of Ulster
Track Record: .
What does your job entail?
I’m director of the Centre for Sustainable Technologies (CST) and head of the Research Graduate School (RGS), both within the Faculty of Art Design and the Built Environment at the UU.
CST is primarily the university’s energy research centre, but it also supports research in highways engineering, hydraulic and harbour engineering, achitecture, construction procurement and sustainability.
As director, my day-to-day activities include securing research funding — this is currently in the region of approximately £10m — managing projects and when I’m really lucky I get to do some laboratory work.
The RGS is responsible for the management of the PhD student cohort within the faculty. I get to hear about such a wide range of projects from applied engineering through to fine art. It has certainly broadened my perspective.
I also teach a number of courses in energy, which is a subject I love.
Is it 9-5?
Definitely not — 12-hour days are more typical! My work involves a lot of travel to meet the needs of European research projects and I also spend a great deal of time in countries such as China, Japan and Brazil on potential, future projects.
How did you get into this line of work?
Purely by accident. I was planning to join the RAF at 16 but discovered that my eyesight wasn’t good enough so they wouldn’t let me drive.
However, I had the benefit of supportive parents, great teachers and excellent academics who advised me to aim towards higher education. I followed their advice, passed my A-Levels, completed my first degree and went on to do a PhD.
I joined the University of Ulster in 1990 and spent six years in post doctoral research, then lectureship, senior lectureship and ultimately Professorship.
Outline your career to date?
My career has been very much that of an old-fashioned academic. My university research work started the ball rolling and from then on I was lucky enough to secure academic positions.
Tell us about your qualifications/training.
I have a degree and PhD (both physics related) and a university teaching qualification. Training is by osmosis — after 23 years in my line of work I have started to learn to listen!
Regardless of age, profession, background etc, there is so much that can be learned from life experiences. My management style is still evolving and I try to be people centred while keeping sight of targets that have to be delivered.
What qualities are required for your job —personal and professional?
As director of CST and head of RGS, I have had to learn to balance a lot of information in my head.
However, I’m supported by two wonderful administration staff who help my working life run as smoothly as possible.
I’m very committed, determined — but not insensitive — and have an ability to see innovative connections outside the immediate focus of the task in hand, thus generating new ideas and linkages.
What are the biggest challenges and rewards of your work?
The biggest challenges are the current and impending funding trials being faced by the University of Ulster and, indeed, most universities.
External funding is becoming increasingly competitive and greater demands are being placed on lower funding levels, so the actual challenge is alerting everyone to this new environment without being defeatist.
I reap the rewards of my work when I reach certain goals — a successful research award, project completions, successful students and successful innovations.
What do you like to do in your spare time?
Spare time is a precious commodity for me and I enjoy the company of family and a few close friends. I like good food and movies and as I need to lose weight I’m trying to get fit again.
Tell us an interesting fact about yourself.
I have a few dodgy joints from football injuries!
Who has inspired you most in your life?
My dad was my greatest inspiration. He left school in 1938 at the age of 14 to become an apprentice in Mackies and then lied his way into the Royal Navy two years later.
The Navy was a great educator and my dad recognised the value of education. My parents always encouraged my older sister and I to be the best we could, without applying any pressure on us.
When I attended Glengormley Secondary (now High) school, my A-Level maths teacher, Mr Frost, was a real inspiration. Along with two other teachers, Mrs Robinson and Mrs Smyth — they gave me belief in myself.
And, of course, my kids never fail to inspire. They’re full of energy and often remind me that work isn’t everything.