Contact Karen Holford
- Tel: +44 (0)1234 754014
- Email: cevc@cranfield.ac.uk
- Twitter: @KarenHolford
- ORCID
- Google Scholar
- ResearchGate
Background
Professor Dame Karen Holford is Chief Executive and Vice-Chancellor at Cranfield University and is married with two adult children.
Karen’s engineering career spans industry and academia; starting as an undergraduate in engineering at Rolls-Royce (Aero), gaining a BEng (Hons) at Cardiff University, followed by a PhD, sponsored by the HSE. She then took a role as graduate engineer at AB Electronic Products Ltd, culminating in a position as senior engineer with technical responsibility for all projects and leadership of a large mechanical design team. At Rolls-Royce she contributed to a range of technical projects including development of Adour and Pegasus engines in collaboration with engineers from Europe and the United States and spent an interesting period in engine strip and rebuild during the Falklands war. At AB Electronic Products she was responsible for management of technical projects, including the design and development of a significant new product (a thin film pressure sensor for BMW ABS systems), as well as developing automotive electronic products for Jaguar and Rover.
She returned to Cardiff University in 1990, pursuing an academic career where she engaged in research with industrial impact and research-led learning and teaching together with a significant administrative and leadership profile. Her primary research theme, damage assessment using acoustic emission, was pursued in collaboration with colleagues in the structural performance laboratory and applied across a range of industrial applications including bridges and aerospace landing gear. Her enthusiasm for user-inspired research led her to engage with industry at every level, from leading global engineering organisations through to local SMEs. Her passion for motorsport led her to form the successful Cardiff Racing Formula student team. She became Head of the School of Engineering in 2010, led the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering as the founding Pro-Vice-Chancellor 2012-2017, and served as DVC from 2017 to 2021.
Current activities
Karen was elected to Fellowship of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2015 and in 2016 was named as one of the 50 most influential women engineers in the UK. In 2017, Karen received a CBE for services to engineering and the advancement of women in engineering. In 2018 she was named as one of Wales’ 100 most influential women and in 2019 she received the Suffrage Science award in Physical Sciences and Engineering. She received the WISE Excellence Award for 'personal contribution to engineering' and a long-term commitment to supporting girls and young women in science and engineering in 2007, the Welsh Woman of the Year in Science and Technology for 'notable achievements in her field' in 2006 and the Royal Academy of Engineering prize for 'Engineering Excellence' in TCS work in 2002.
Karen has served as a non-executive Council member for UKRI STFC and as a member of the ESPRC Strategic Advisory Network, having previously served as the external Chair of the EPSRC Engineering Strategic Advisory Team. From 2020 to 2022, Karen served as the Chair of the Royal Academy of Engineering Research Committee. Since 2020 Karen has been a member of the National Physical Laboratory Science and Technology Advisory Council, and currently serves on the Oxford-Cambridge Arc Universities Group Board, and on the Oxford Cambridge Supercluster Board. In 2023 she took up the role of Chair of the Midlands Innovation University Partnership Board, joined the Board of Universities UK and the Board of Renishaw plc. as a Non-Executive Director.
Publications
Articles In Journals
- Almudaihesh F, Holford K, Pullin R & Eaton M. (2022). A comparison study of water diffusion in unidirectional and
2D woven carbon/epoxy composites. Polymer Composites, 43(1) - Abdulaziz AH, Hedaya M, Elsabbagh A, Holford KM & Mccrory JP. (2021). Acoustic emission source location in composite-honeycomb sandwich panel. International Journal of Renewable Energy Research, 11(2)
- Abdulaziz AH, McCrory J, Holford K, Elsabbagh A & Hedaya M. (2021). Experimental three-point bending test of glass fibre aluminium honeycomb sandwich panel with acoustic emission damage assessment. Insight - Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, 63(12)
- Abdulaziz AH, Hedaya M, Elsabbagh A, Holford K & McCrory J. (2021). Acoustic emission wave propagation in honeycomb sandwich panel structures. Composite Structures, 277
- Almudaihesh F, Grigg S, Holford K, Pullin R & Eaton M. (2021). An Assessment of the Effect of Progressive Water Absorption on the Interlaminar Strength of Unidirectional Carbon/Epoxy Composites Using Acoustic Emission. Sensors, 21(13)
- Pearson M, Featherston CA, Pullin R & Holford KM. (2020). Optimized placement of parasitic vibration energy harvesters for autonomous structural health monitoring. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 31(11)
- McCrory JP, Pearson MR, Pullin R & Holford KM. (2020). Optimisation of acoustic emission wavestreaming for structural health monitoring. Structural Health Monitoring, 19(6)
- Almudaihesh F, Holford K, Pullin R & Eaton M. (2020). The influence of water absorption on unidirectional and 2D woven CFRP composites and their mechanical performance. Composites Part B: Engineering, 182
- Middleton CA, McCrory JP, Greene RJ, Holford K & Patterson EA. (2019). Detecting and Monitoring Cracks in Aerospace Materials Using Post-Processing of TSA and AE Data. Metals, 9(7)
- Al-Jumaili SK, Eaton MJ, Holford KM, Pearson MR, Crivelli D, .... (2018). Characterisation of fatigue damage in composites using an Acoustic Emission Parameter Correction Technique. Composites Part B: Engineering, 151
- Al-Azzawi ASM, McCrory J, Kawashita LF, Featherston CA, Pullin R, .... (2017). Buckling and postbuckling behaviour of Glare laminates containing splices and doublers. Part 1: Instrumented tests. Composite Structures, 176
- Holford KM, Eaton MJ, Hensman JJ, Pullin R, Evans SL, .... (2017). A new methodology for automating acoustic emission detection of metallic fatigue fractures in highly demanding aerospace environments: An overview. Progress in Aerospace Sciences, 90
- Pearson MR, Eaton M, Featherston C, Pullin R & Holford K. (2017). Improved acoustic emission source location during fatigue and impact events in metallic and composite structures. Structural Health Monitoring, 16(4)
- Al-Jumaili SK, Pearson MR, Holford KM, Eaton MJ & Pullin R. (2016). Acoustic emission source location in complex structures using full automatic delta T mapping technique. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 72-73
- Al-Jumaili SK, Holford KM, Eaton MJ & Pullin R. (2015). Parameter Correction Technique (PCT): A novel method for acoustic emission characterisation in large-scale composites. Composites Part B: Engineering, 75
- Al-Jumaili SK, Holford KM, Eaton MJ, McCrory JP, Pearson MR, .... (2015). Classification of acoustic emission data from buckling test of carbon fibre panel using unsupervised clustering techniques. Structural Health Monitoring, 14(3)
- Crivelli D, Guagliano M, Eaton M, Pearson M, Al-Jumaili S, .... (2015). Localisation and identification of fatigue matrix cracking and delamination in a carbon fibre panel by acoustic emission. Composites Part B: Engineering, 74
- McCrory JP, Al-Jumaili SK, Crivelli D, Pearson MR, Eaton MJ, .... (2015). Damage classification in carbon fibre composites using acoustic emission: A comparison of three techniques. Composites Part B: Engineering, 68
- Crivelli D, Eaton M, Pearson M, Holford K & Pullin R. (2014). Chebyshev descriptors for SHM with acoustic emission and acousto ultrasonics. International Journal of Structural Integrity, 5(3)
- Shahidan S, Pulin R, Muhamad Bunnori N & Holford KM. (2013). Damage classification in reinforced concrete beam by acoustic emission signal analysis. Construction and Building Materials, 45
- Elfergani HA, Pullin R & Holford KM. (2013). Damage assessment of corrosion in prestressed concrete by acoustic emission. Construction and Building Materials, 40
- Kural A, Pullin R, Holford K, Lees J, Naylon J, .... (2013). Design and characterization of an ultrasonic lamb-wave power delivery system. IEEE Transactions on Ultrasonics, Ferroelectrics, and Frequency Control, 60(6)
- Eaton MJ, Pullin R & Holford KM. (2012). Acoustic emission source location in composite materials using Delta T Mapping. Composites Part A: Applied Science and Manufacturing, 43(6)
- Featherston CA, Eaton MJ & Holford KM. (2012). Modelling the Effects of Geometric Imperfections on the Buckling and Initial Post‐buckling Behaviour of Flat Plates Under Compression Using Measured Data. Strain, 48(3)
- Eaton MJ, Pullin R & Holford KM. (2012). Towards improved damage location using acoustic emission. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part C: Journal of Mechanical Engineering Science, 226(9)
- Aljets D, Chong A, Wilcox S & Holford K. (2012). Acoustic emission source location on large plate-like structures using a local triangular sensor array. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 30
- Bunnori NM, Lark RJ & Holford KM. (2011). The use of acoustic emission for the early detection of cracking in concrete structures. Magazine of Concrete Research, 63(9)
- Eaton MJ, Pullin R, Hensman JJ, Holford KM, Worden K, .... (2011). Principal Component Analysis of Acoustic Emission Signals From Landing Gear Components: An Aid to Fatigue Fracture Detection. Strain, 47(s1)
- Hensman J, Worden K, Eaton M, Pullin R, Holford K, .... (2011). Spatial scanning for anomaly detection in acoustic emission testing of an aerospace structure. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 25(7)
- Holford KM. (2009). Acoustic Emission in Structural Health Monitoring. Key Engineering Materials, 413-414
- Hensman J, Pullin R, Eaton M, Worden K, Holford KM, .... (2009). Detecting and identifying artificial acoustic emission signals in an industrial fatigue environment. Measurement Science and Technology, 20(4)
- Holford KM, Pullin R, Evans SL, Eaton MJ, Hensman J, .... (2009). Acoustic emission for monitoring aircraft structures. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part G: Journal of Aerospace Engineering, 223(5)
- Featherston CA, Holford KM & Waring G. (2009). Thermoelectric Energy Harvesting for Wireless Sensor Systems in Aircraft. Key Engineering Materials, 413-414
- Featherston CA, Holford KM & Greaves B. (2009). Harvesting Vibration Energy for Structural Health Monitoring in Aircraft. Key Engineering Materials, 413-414
- Eaton M, Pullin R, Holford K, Evans S, Featherston C, .... (2009). Use of Macro Fibre Composite Transducers as Acoustic Emission Sensors. Remote Sensing, 1(2)
- Chaston AM, Edwards C, Evans SL & Holford KM. (2008). Shear wave ultrasonic coupling performance of different adhesives. Insight - Non-Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, 50(11)
- Garibaldi L, Surace C, Holford KM & Ostachowcz W. (2007). Key Engineering Materials: Preface. Key Engineering Materials, 347
- Nicholas MKD, Waters MGJ, Holford KM & Adusei G. (2007). Analysis of rheological properties of bone cements. Journal of Materials Science: Materials in Medicine, 18(7)
- Baxter MG, Pullin R, Holford KM & Evans SL. (2007). Delta T source location for acoustic emission. Mechanical Systems and Signal Processing, 21(3)
- Pullin R, Holford KM, Evans SL & Dulieu-Barton JM. (2006). Advanced Materials Research: Preface. Advanced Materials Research, 13-14
- Holford KM & Worden K. (2005). Special Issue on Acoustic Emission. The Journal of Strain Analysis for Engineering Design, 40(1)
- Ostachowicz WM, Dulieu-Barton JM, Holford KM, Krawczuk M & Zak A. (2005). Key Engineering Materials: Preface. Key Engineering Materials, 293-294
- Watton J, Holford KM & Surawattanawan P. (2004). The application of a programmable servo controller to state control of an electrohydraulic active suspension. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 218(12)
- Rippengill S, Worden K, Holford KM & Pullin R. (2003). Automatic Classification of Acoustic Emission Patterns. Strain, 39(1)
- Holford K. (2002). Editorial. Strain, 38(4)
- Holford K. (2002). Editorial. Strain, 38(4)
- Holford KM, Brandon JA, Dulieu-Barton JM, Gilchrist MD & Worden K. (2001). Key Engineering Materials: Preface. Key Engineering Materials, 204-205
- Watton J, Holford KM & Surawattanawan P. (2001). Electrohydraulic effects on the modelling of a vehicle active suspension. Proceedings of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Part D: Journal of Automobile Engineering, 215(10)
- Watson JR, Cole PT, Holford KM & Davies AW. (2001). Damage Assessment Using Acoustic Emission. Key Engineering Materials, 204-205(204-205)
- Holford KM, Davies AW, Pullin R & Carter DC. (2001). Damage location in steel bridges by acoustic emission. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 12(8)
- Manson G, Worden K, Holford K & Pullin R. (2001). Visualisation and dimension reduction of acoustic emission data for damage detection. Journal of Intelligent Material Systems and Structures, 12(8)
- Staszewski WJ & Holford KM. (2001). Wavelet Signal Processing of Acoustic Emission Data. Key Engineering Materials, 204-205(204-205)
- Holford KM. (2000). Acoustic Emission–Basic Principles and Future Directions. Strain, 36(2)
- Browne WNL, Holford KM, Moore CJ & Bullock J. (2000). An industrial Learning Classifier System: the importance of pre-processing real data and choice of alphabet. Engineering Applications of Artificial Intelligence, 13(1)
- Holford KM & Carter DC. (1999). Acoustic Emission Source Location. Key Engineering Materials, 167-168
- Roberts TM, Davies AW & Holford KM. (1999). Structural Integrity of Welded Steel Structures. Key Engineering Materials, 167-168
- Pullin R, Carter DC & Holford KM. (1999). Damage Assessment in Steel Bridges. Key Engineering Materials, 167-168
- Carter DC & Holford KM. (1998). Strategic considerations for the AE monitoring of bridges a discussion and case study. Insight Non Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, 40(2)
- Browne WN, Holford KM, Moore CJ & Bullock JD. (1998). Practical application of learning classifier system for downcoiler decision support in steel hot strip mill. Ironmaking and Steelmaking, 25(1)
- Carter D & Holford KM. (1996). I.M.A.G.IN.E: Letting bridges do the talking. Insight Non Destructive Testing and Condition Monitoring, 38(11)
- Browne W, Moore C, Holford K & Bullock J. (1996). The implementation of a Learning Classifier System for parameter identification by signal processing of data from steel strip downcoilers. IEE Colloquium Digest
- Carter D & Holford KM. (1996). IMAGINE: Letting bridges do the talking. INSIGHT, 38(11)
- Moore CJ & Holford KM. (1995). University degree courses: producing the kind of engineer that industry needs. Engineering Science & Education Journal, 4(1)
- Casey NF, Holford KM & Taylor JL. (1988). Wire break detection during the tensil fatigue testing of 40 mm diameter wire rope. British Journal of Non Destructive Testing, 30(5)
- Casey NF, Holford KM & Taylor JL. (1987). The acoustic evaluation of wire ropes immersed in water. NDT International, 20(3)
- Wedlake D, White H, Holford K & Taylor J. (1987). ACOUSTIC ENERGY IN WIRE FAILURE.. Wire Industry, 54(646)
- Casey N. (1987). The acoustic evaluation of wire ropes immersed in water. NDT & E International, 20(3)
- Casey NF, Wedlake D, Taylor JL & Holford KM. (1985). ACOUSTIC DETECTION OF WIRE ROPE FAILURE.. Wire Industry, 52(617)