Born: 1962
Biography:
Karen Margaret Holford is a Welsh engineer, Professor of Mechanical Engineering, and Vice-Chancellor and Chief Executive of Cranfield University. She was born in 1962 and has made significant contributions to the field of engineering throughout her career.
Holford received her education at Newent Comprehensive School before pursuing mechanical engineering at the University of Wales Institute of Science and Technology. Despite being discouraged by her careers advisor from studying engineering, she was encouraged by her school art teacher to pursue the course. In 1984, she graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree and went on to obtain a PhD from University College, Cardiff in 1987. Holford was the first member of her family to attend a higher education institution.
Her early career included working at Rolls-Royce, where she contributed to the construction of the Adour and Pegasus engines. She also conducted development work in advanced engineering. Following this, Holford joined AB Electronic Products as a senior engineer, where she was involved in project management for technical products. She played a key role in the development and design of a thin film pressure sensor for anti-lock braking systems in BMW road cars. Holford also developed electronic products for Jaguar Cars and Rover motor cars.
In 1990, Holford began her academic career at Cardiff University as an advisor for the Integrated Engineering course. This course aimed to increase industrial participation in degree teaching and provide a cross-discipline education. She joined the University as a lecturer in engineering the same year. Throughout her career, Holford has published over 170 research works, including 100 peer-reviewed journal papers. She has led research projects funded from various sources such as the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council, Innovate UK, and the European Union.
Holford’s primary research focuses on damage assessment inspections using acoustic emission (AE), which has practical applications in various industrial fields. Her research has been applied to bridges, aerospace landing gear, composite materials, concrete, and metals. She has also conducted extensive work on improving AE damage location techniques, energy harvesting, and embedded sensors for the development of autonomous structural health monitoring systems.
In addition to her academic accomplishments, Holford has been actively involved outside of academia. She served as the faculty advisor for Cardiff University’s Formula Student team, which provides hands-on engineering experience to students. Holford also assumed roles as an UpRising ambassador and a Director of the Compound Semiconductor Centre.
Awards:
– CBE (Commander of the Order of the British Empire)
– FREng (Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering)
– FLSW (Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales)
– FIMechE (Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers)