New Engineering Principal sets out his vision for Faculty

Professor John Wood

Professor John Wood shares his career achievements and ideas for the future - <em>News</em>

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Faculty of Engineering


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By Colin Smith
31 August 2007

Filling the shoes of the much respected Professor Dame Julia Higgins    is no easy task, admits Professor John Wood, but it is a challenge Imperial’s new Faculty of Engineering Principal is eager to face.

Professor Higgins, who is retiring from her current position as Principal, came to the role as Professor of Polymer Science in the Department of Chemical Engineering and Chemical Technology and Director of the Graduate School in Engineering and Physical Sciences at Imperial College. Amongst her many honours, Dame Julia was elected a Fellow of the Royal Society in 1995 and of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 1999. She was also named a Dame in the 2001 Queen’s Birthday Honours list.

“I’ve been an acquaintance of Dame Julia for some time and I am aware of the excellent initiatives put in place during her time here. I hope I can build on her legacy,” said Professor Wood.

Before taking up his post at Imperial, Professor Wood was the Chief Executive of the Council for the Central Laboratories of the Research Councils. He is also the current chair of the European Strategy Forum on Research Infrastructures (ESFRI), which provides policy support and develops scientific research initiatives Europe-wide.

“The ESFRI is significant to the long-term development of European research; providing coherent policy support to governments and a framework for the construction of important new research facilities,” said Professor Wood.

One of the ESFRI’s major projects is the construction of the X-ray Free Electron Laser in Hamburg, Germany. Professor Wood is the current chair of the international steering group which is building the laser. This 3.4 km-long particle accelerator will enable scientists to produce super-brilliant, ultra-short flashes of X-ray light. Professor Wood views this project as a new opportunity for the College.

“I hope that several members of staff at Imperial will become involved in the development of the X-ray Free Electron Laser as part of the UK contribution and usage of this ground breaking machine.”

Professor Wood began his career at Sheffield University and he says he developed a “soft spot” for the old steel town which gave him his first break. In 1971 he did his PhD at Cambridge University on the “Rapid Solidification of Stainless Steel”. He later became a Junior Research Fellow at Cambridge before moving to lecture at the newly created Open University.

In 1981, he took a short sabbatical in Japan which helped him to build extensive relations in Asia. This followed some time working in industry before he was head hunted to work as Head of Department in Engineering at Nottingham University. During this time he is credited with turning the department’s performance around from grade 3 to grade 5.

Professor Wood has been involved in a number of initiatives including the Foresight Programme, which provided a vision for UK industry and government. He hopes his extensive experience will help to foster more strategic partnerships for the College throughout the world, especially in emerging countries.

“Vast investments in education from India and China are making the global market more competitive. It is vital that we invest in strategic partnerships. I hope my background and large international network will act as the impetus to further realise this aim.”

Professor Wood said the declining numbers of UK students studying engineering is a cause for concern. He reflects on the challenges ahead for the engineering professional: “Engineering needs to be holistic. We need future engineers to take a sustainable approach and it would be great to encourage more women into the profession. I praise the work already undertaken by the College to address this issue.”

He also hopes to continue major initiatives like the Envision 2010 strategy, which focuses on the way the Faculty of Engineering educates its undergraduates and prepares them for their future careers.

Juggling the demands of a world class engineering faculty, he admits, won’t be easy, but through hard work and able leadership, he hopes to earn the respect of his fellow colleagues.

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