Dean of Physics, Hertfordshire University, joins our 'Science Cities' discussion this May

Above: Spectra Building at the University of Hertfordshire, designed by BDP and home to the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science (courtesy BDP)

Future Cities Forum is delighted that Professor Daniel McCluskey, Dean of School for the School of Physics, Engineering & Computer Science at the University of Hertfordshire will join the 'Science Cities' panel at our May event, co-hosted with the Stevenage Bioscience Catalyst and Stevenage Borough Council.

Professor McCluskey is responsible for strategic leadership across the STEM portfolio spanning education, research and enterprise with a particular focus on overcoming operational challenges for successful delivery.

He is a Chartered Engineer and Professor of Aerosol Bio-detection Technology within the School and a key point of contact with a track record in successful, multidisciplinary collaborations between Industry, Academics and Research staff across the Engineering spectrum, leading the delivery of projects with consistent success. His personal research area is focussed on Bio-detection Technology and system design for early warning of airborne biological threats. As of November 2024 Daniel was elected President of the UK & Ireland Aerosol Society.

Recently, Hertfordshire University invested £100 million into a new physics and engineering building on campus called the Spectra building.

Hertfordshire Growth Board describes the new building as bringing together the University’s physics, engineering and computer science departments, facilities, equipment and knowledge into one place for the first time. The £100m, five-storey building is the largest structure on the University’s College Lane campus following six years of building work.

Kitted out with some of the highest spec equipment available, new facilities include:

• Two dedicated physics laboratories.

• Two isolated cyber systems rooms that allow cyber security students to test themselves against cyber-attack.

• A £2m suite of wind tunnels.

• A strong floor to help test material strength.

• New robotics labs and a robot football pitch for developing and testing autonomous robot behaviour.

• Flight simulators that can land in any airport across the world have also been installed, alongside a welding bay and controls testing suite.

• Plus two Caterham lightweight sports cars and a Tesla for use in autonomous vehicle design.

Professor Daniel McCluskey, Dean of Spectra at the University of Hertfordshire, said:

“Spectra has been deliberately designed to provide students with an environment that mirrors the working environments in their future careers. This is to ensure we deliver on the University of Hertfordshire’s mission to provide the highest quality, career-focused education that hugely enhances career prospects and ensures our students graduate both work-ready and able to make an impact in real-world settings.”

The increased range of research, education and training made possible by Spectra will help address crucial skills gaps within the STEM sector – with 35% of UK firms reportedly having difficulties recruiting staff with skills in STEM. It will also advance the University’s capacity to partner with local, regional and national aerospace, engineering, bioscience and other STEM companies to support their needs, and together develop economically viable research and products.

The design of the building, which has been developed to ensure all research and teaching areas are visible throughout, is intended to ensure students and researchers are always aware of what each other are doing. Communal workshops on each floor will allow staff and students from different subjects to collaborate more efficiently together.

“We are confident that the cross-thinking encouraged by Spectra will lead to an increase in postgraduate research and raise the University’s international reputation,” added Professor McCluskey.