Research in Focus
Resilience and security research in the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Meet our new Associate Dean
Welcome to the second issue of Research in Focus (and the first in this online format), which gives you a snapshot of the fascinating research in Surrey’s Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. Themed on ‘Resilience and security’, this issue brings you features on a wide range of topics – from a physical infrastructure project to understand ageing in bridges, to face recognition technology which protects our borders.
"As the new Associate Dean (Research and Innovation), I’ve joined the Faculty at a very interesting time: Our success in the Research Excellence Framework 2021 clearly showed the impact we are making internationally, and now it’s time for us to reflect and think about how we can develop ourselves to the next level. We’ve recently introduced the new Faculty Research & Innovation Office (FRIO) which aims to provide better support and improve the researcher experience at Surrey, while our new Schools structure will consolidate our strengths and facilitate wider collaboration.
"When I joined in September, my immediate impression was that Surrey is a great place for research and innovation – and on a rising curve. When I talk to researchers and academics they are all passionate and proud of their research. It’s impressive to see the breadth of disciplines we cover in the Faculty, and the fact that our work spans everything from fundamental blue-sky research to industrial-scale innovation. Another aspect which marks us out is our strong partnerships with a breadth of external stakeholders.
"In order to help meet the grand societal challenges and push the boundary of human knowledge, we need to raise our ambition to think of bigger pictures and act more boldly, and we will only do that with a truly interdisciplinary approach. There are emerging opportunities from the new pan-university institutes of People-Centred AI and Sustainability, and I want our Faculty to play a big part in supporting these exciting initiatives. I also want to look at how we can better support researchers at different stages of their career through fellowship support and interdisciplinary grants for people to work together.
"I hope that you enjoy reading about just a few of our recent research successes in this issue and would love to hear your feedback at FEPSinFocus@surrey.ac.uk."
Professor Jin Xuan
Associate Dean (Research and Innovation), Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences
Read our Research in Focus stories
Infrastructure
In today’s environmental crisis, maintaining and improving our built environment is a bigger challenge than ever before. Our civil and mechanical engineers are working to build sustainability and resilience into the vital physical infrastructure that surrounds us.
Cybersecurity
With our lives increasingly conducted online, Surrey’s cybersecurity researchers are developing ever more inventive techniques to protect our privacy and keep transactions safe – while also gearing up for the quantum era.
National defence
Research in the physical sciences and engineering is playing an important role in building the UK’s defences – from innovative face recognition techniques that can locate criminals to the development of novel materials for radiation detection.
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