Associate Head of School – Engineering
I am Associate Head of School for the School of Engineering in the Faculty of Technology. After graduating from the University of Sunderland in BSc (Hons) Product Design with Management, I gained valuable experience as a Design Engineer in the tier 1 automotive supply chain, working directly for a variety of OEMs designing large-scale injection moulded products and associated assemblies.
Further industrial experience includes supporting a diverse range of sectors as a consultant of digital tools for manufacturing organisations.
My specific expertise and interests lie in design, reverse engineering, 3D scanning, and manufacturing processes. Since joining the academic team at the University of Sunderland, I have taught modules in the above areas. In my current role, I'm still involved in teaching but also involved in the management and running of the School. I have taken an active role in developing many of our courses.
Teaching and supervision
I have been involved in the development, planning, teaching, and management of a broad range of engineering modules and courses at the University including:
- Mechanical Design and Material Selection
- Automotive Design and Material Selection
- Design, Drawing and Practical Skills
- Value Analysis/Value Engineering
- Operations Management
- Computer Aided Engineering
- Design for Manufacturing
- Project Supervision
I am module leader for the level 6 design module on BEng (Hons) Mechanical Engineering.
Research
My current research interests lie in the area of engineering pedagogy, recognising that the educational experience of young people is changing. I am exploring ways in which the higher education sector can ensure that provision remains both accessible and relevant and supports contemporary engineering students reach their potential in their future careers.
Publications
Article
Knapton, David (2019) Opinion piece: ensuring an effective higher engineering provision for STEM engaged applicants. Higher Education Pedagogies, 4 (1). ISSN 2375-2696
Elkady, M, Elmarakbi, Ahmed, Knapton, David, Saleh, M, Abdelhameed, M and Bawady, A (2013) Theoretical and Experimental Analysis of Electromagnetic Variable Valve Timing Control Systems for Improvement of Spark Ignition Engine Performance. Advances in Automobile Engineering, 2 (3). pp. 1-8. ISSN 2167-7670
I take an active role in overseeing the ongoing accreditation process of the BEng suite of courses with the Institution of Engineering and Technology, (IET).
I am a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (FHEA).
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