Professor Rodney Day

My early academic research was nationally and internationally recognised in the fields of river engineering, sediment transport and the performance of hydraulic structures. I was fortunate to work on a series of national design guides on bridge scour, culvert design and side weirs for the Environment Agency, DETR and CIRIA. Projects included research on the influence of near-bed turbulent flow structures on scour hole development at culvert outlets, local scour around bridge piers under steady and unsteady flow conditions, and turbulence closure models in suspended sediment-laden flows. Other research of national importance included extending the scope of Standard specifications for open channel flow gauging structures, the performance of side weirs, and work linked to decommissioning of weirs and sluices.
More recently I have diversified my research and innovation interests to include a greater emphasis on computational modelling, applications of deep neural networks, research design, and fluid mechanics. This included leading a IUK Advanced Powertrain with Energy Saving project with Caterpillar, USA. In my management and leadership roles I also had oversight of research and innovation across a wide range of discipline areas, including: aerospace, materials, automotive, civil, electronics and communications engineering, computer science, physics and bio-detection systems.
My teaching has included fluid mechanics, hydraulic engineering, river engineering, project management and systems engineering. I've maintained a strong connection with businesses and have undertaken a variety of consultancy projects for various organisations, acted as a knowledge-base lead and academic supervisor for many KTPs, lectured in China, and provided project management short courses in Poland. I completed my MBA in 2003, with a dissertation on Performance Management of Emergency Planning in the UK.
I have collaborated on national and regional initiatives including the Alliance Group Energy DTA and the UUK Open Equipment scheme, and was a formerly held Directorships of Evalu8 Transportations Ltd and UH Ventures Ltd. I currently represent LSBU on the SC1 life sciences innovation district group. Over many decades I've been lucky to work in the field of researcher development, tutoring on national GRAD Schools, implementing the UKs Researcher Development Framework, as well as acting as co-ordinator for the Vitae East of England Hub and chairing the national Vitae Careers in Academia and Advancing in Academia events.
I am a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Engineering and Technology, a Fellow of the Institution of Civil Engineers, and a Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.