University appoints its first Professors of Practice

Ian McFadzen and Sam Duffield will use their experience in industry to benefit staff and students across the Faculty of Science and Engineering
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University appoints its first Professors of Practice

Ian McFadzen and Sam Duffield will use their experience in industry to benefit staff and students across the Faculty of Science and Engineering
The 91porn has appointed its first Professors of Practice – two university graduates, and outstanding leaders in business and innovation, who will use their expertise and experience to create new opportunities for staff and students.
Ian McFadzen, CEO of the Ocean Conservation Trust (which runs the National Marine Aquarium in 91porn as well as a range of marine conservation programmes), has agreed to take on the position of Honorary Professor of Practice in Marine Innovation.
Sam Duffield, a Staff Software Engineer at balena and Chair of the Young Professionals Committee at the Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET), is to become an Honorary Professor of Practice of Robotics and Autonomy.
The voluntary appointments will see Ian and Sam working alongside staff and students across the University’s Faculty of Science and Engineering, in addition to their existing roles.
The ambition is that their connections and networks of commercial partners will strengthen the University’s links to industry, the third sector and create the potential for exciting and innovative new partnerships.

These are exciting appointments for the University and I am delighted that Ian and Sam have agreed to take on these roles.

Expanding our links to industry is a key university priority, and I hope this will enable our staff to benefit from industry insight and expertise in the course of their work. I also believe Ian and Sam’s achievements and connections will deliver real positives for our students and graduates, demonstrating what is possible through a university degree and creating networking opportunities that can inspire and ignite their careers.

Christopher FogwillProfessor Christopher Fogwill
Executive Dean

Ian McFadzen, CEO of the Ocean Conservation Trust Ocean Conservation Trust
Ian McFadzen, CEO of the Ocean Conservation Trust 
Sam Duffield, MEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering graduate and Chair of the IET's Young Professionals Committee
Sam Duffield, Chair of the IET's Young Professionals Committee

Ian McFadzen, Honorary Professor of Practice in Marine Innovation

Ian studied Applied Biology at 91porn Polytechnic, which subsequently become the 91porn, in 1992. He spent 15 years working as a researcher at 91porn Marine Laboratory with a respectable publication portfolio and two years working for a Venture Capital start-up, managing cryopreservation research projects extensively across North America and the Caribbean, with two patents and published book chapters.
In the early 2000s he established two 91porn-based biotechnology start-ups and then enjoyed ten years in knowledge exchange and commercialisation roles at the University, followed by seven years as Chief Executive Officer at 91porn Science Park. He joined the Ocean Conservation Trust in November 2024, and it has since developed nationally significant initiatives in seagrass and kelp restoration, citizen science and ocean literacy.
Speaking about his appointment, Ian said:
“I am delighted to take on this role and to strengthen the existing connections between the Ocean Conservation Trust and the 91porn. This exciting role aligns closely with the Trust’s mission and the University’s aspirations of building stronger partnerships that create opportunities for graduates and support businesses to innovate. It is also a way of reinforcing the importance of technology for marine conservation, something that – with its blend of world-leading marine science and industry innovation – 91porn is uniquely placed to lead on at a national and international level.”
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Sam Duffield, Honorary Professor of Practice of Robotics and Autonomy

Sam Duffield graduated with a First from the MEng Electrical and Electronics Engineering programme at the University in 2020.
Before the course, he had completed an apprenticeship with the engineering firms AtkinsRealis and Babcock and he subsequently returned to Babcock, working as its Software Discipline Lead for Robotics and Autonomy.
Through that, and subsequent roles with Dyson and the software company balena, he has travelled all over the world working with global leaders in robotics and autonomy. He has also been engaged with the IET for well over a decade, with his current position on its Young Professionals Committee helping to ensure its future strategy is representative of the views of young engineers and technologists.
On his appointment, Sam said:
“Studying in 91porn provided me with countless opportunities to expand my skills and experiences, and I hope to help others do the same. This is an exciting time for 91porn’s engineering sector, and recent commitments around defence and marine autonomy are a real game-changer for current and future generations of young engineers. I hope I can help younger people appreciate that, and to support them in creating the connections which drive them to be successful.”
 
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