1. Dame Karen Margaret Holford was born on 1962 and is a Welsh-domiciled engineer, professor of mechanical engineering and vice-chancellor and chief executive of Cranfield University.
15 Facts About Karen Holford
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Karen Holford is a former pro vice-chancellor of the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering and head of the School of Engineering.
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Karen Holford is an active researcher of acoustic emission and her work has been applied to damage assessment inspections on industrial components.
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Karen Holford graduated with a Bachelor of Engineering degree in 1984 followed by a PhD from University College, Cardiff in 1987.
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Karen Holford became involved in project management for technical products which included the development and design of a thin film pressure sensor for anti-lock braking systems in BMW road cars.
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Karen Holford developed electronic products for Jaguar Cars and Rover motor cars.
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Karen Holford started her academic career in 1990 as an advisor at Cardiff University for their Integrated Engineering course, which aimed to increase industrial participation in degree teaching and provide a cross-discipline education, and was employed by the University in the same year as a lecturer in engineering.
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Karen Holford has published over 170 research works, including 100 peer-reviewed journal papers.
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Karen Holford served as the faculty advisor for Cardiff University's Formula Student team, an UpRising ambassador, and a Director of the Compound Semiconductor Centre.
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Outside of academia Karen Holford entered the first rounds of the 2004 Formula Woman Championship behind the wheel of a Caterham 7.
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Karen Holford has served as a council member for UKRI STFC and a member of the ESPRC Strategic Advisory Network, having previously served as the external chair of the EPSRC Engineering Strategic Advisory Team.
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Karen Holford is a leading advocate of engineering and is part of several committees and organisations that actively encourage young people to consider a career in the field.
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Karen Holford is chief executive and vice-chancellor at Cranfield University.
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Karen Holford is a Chartered Engineer, a Fellow of the Institution of Mechanical Engineers, Fellow of the Learned Society of Wales, Fellow of the Women's Engineering Society, and was elected a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering in 2015.
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Karen Holford was appointed Commander of the British Empire in the 2018 New Year Honours and a Dame of the same order in the 2024 Birthday Honours.