Prof Lee Margetts
UKAEA Chair of Digital Engineering for Nuclear Fusion

Biography
Programme Director for:
- BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering
- BEng/MEng Mechanical Engineering with Management
- MEng Mechanical Engineering with Industrial Experience
I was awarded a BSc in Geology by the University of Durham in 1994. After graduating, I worked for Surrey County Council, first in Highways and Transportation and later in Materials and Construction Management. In 1997, I continued my studies at the University of Manchester, gaining an MSc in Geotechnical Engineering in 1998 and a PhD in Civil Engineering in 2002. I was also awarded an MBA with Distinction in International Engineering Business Management by Manchester Business School in 2011. From 2001 until 2015, I worked for the University of Manchester as a Senior Consultant in High Performance Computing.
I joined the Department of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering as Lecturer in Structural Integrity in April 2015. After promotion to Senior Lecturer in 2017 and Reader in 2021, I was appointed UKAEA Chair in Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy the same year. I hold a number of other posts at the University including Programme Director for Mechanical Engineering, Head of Synthetic Environments and Systems Simulation in the Aerospace Research Institute; and Research Fellow in the Interdisciplinary Centre for Ancient Life. I also hold an external appointment as Visiting Faculty at Oak Ridge National Laboratory, USA.
I hold a number of leadership roles in external organisations, where I actively promote the industrial exploitation of High Performance Computing in engineering simulation. These include elected Chair of the NAFEMS HPC Technical Working Group; elected member of the NAFEMS Technical Liaison Committee and former Chair of the PRACE Industrial Advisory Committee. I have also been member of a UK Task Force, initiated by the British Embassy in Chicago and EPSRC, which has led to collaboration between the UK and the USA in the exploitation of High Performance Computing.
I am the initiator and owner of the open source engineering software ParaFEM and author of the accompanying text book “Programming the Finite Element Method” - which is available in Chinese. The software and text book are used in teaching, research and industry across the globe. I am always very open to discussing new collaborations at any level, from blue skies research projects to technology transfer through consultancy.
Areas of expertise
Research Networks and Beacons
Biology, Medicine and Health (BMH) Domains
Education / academic qualifications
- 2011 - Master of Business Administration, International Engineering Business Management, Alliance Manchester Business School (2007 - 2011)
- 2002 - Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester (1998 - 2002)
- 1998 - Master in Science, Geotechnical Engineering, The University of Manchester (1997 - 1998)
- 1994 - Bachelor of Science, Geology, University of Durham (1990 - 1994)
Related information
Publications
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to journal › Article › peer-review
Research output: Contribution to conference › Other › peer-review
Activities
Activity: Talk or presentation › Invited talk
Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
Activity: Membership › Membership of committee
Student Theses
UoM administered thesis: Phd
UoM administered thesis: Master of Philosophy
Prizes
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Prize: Prize (including medals and awards)
Prize: Other distinction