Professor Michael Fitzpatrick

Professor Michael Fitzpatrick is Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Executive Dean) at Coventry University, with responsibility for the portfolio of Engineering, Environment and Computing; and he also holds the Lloyd’s Register Foundation Chair of Structural Integrity and Systems Performance. He is a Chartered Engineer, a Chartered Scientist, a Fellow of the Institute of Materials, Minerals and Mining, and a Member of the Institute of Directors.

 

Michael studied Natural Sciences at the University of Cambridge, followed by a PhD in Materials Science and Metallurgy, also at Cambridge. He moved to The Open University in 1995, where he took a lead role in the major redesign of the OU’s engineering curriculum, and led the development of new partnerships with external collaborators.

His research centres on the application of advanced experimental methods to materials engineering applications, particularly in the nuclear power and aerospace industries. Current interests include the study of laser shock peening for life enhancement of aerospace and marine structures, and components in nuclear power plant. He has been a user of international neutron and synchrotron X-ray facilities for over 20 years, for the study of internal stress and damage development in metallic materials and components.