Paul Ledger

Biography

I work at the interface of applied mathematics, computer science and engineering and undertake research in the areas of computational mathematics, computational mechanics and data science.

I obtained my bachelors degree in the Civil Engineering with Computational Mechanics from The University of Birmingham. This was followed by an MSc in Computational Modelling and Finite Elements in Engineering Mechanics and a PhD Computational Electromagnetics from Swansea University. For my doctoral work, I was awarded the ECCOMAS prize for the Best Thesis in Computational Science and Engineering.

After finishing my doctorate, I held a number of postdoctoral positions including 2-years at the Seminar for Applied Mathematics, ETH Zurich in Switzerland. From 2006, I worked as a Lecturer and subsequently as an Associate Professor at The College of Engineering, Swansea University. In 2020 I moved to the School of Computing & Mathematics at Keele University. In 2022 I was promoted to Professor of Computational Mathematics.

Research and scholarship

I have worked in the area of computational mathematics/computational mechanics for around 20 years where my initial research focus was on accurate (hp) finite element schemes in computational electromagnetism. In recent years, my interests have extended to the computational solution of inverse problems involving the identification and location of hidden objects in application areas such as metal detection and medical imaging. In this area, my current focus is on object characterisation and the statistical classification of objects, which has led to cross overs to data science where I also have a growing interest. I have also worked extensively on the simulation of coupled magneto-mechanical problems and, in particular, to the application area of predicting eddy current induced vibrations in MRI scanners.

I am grateful to the funding I have received from RCUK grants from the EPSRC, Royal Society and the Royal Academy of Engineering, which has supported my research. Further details of the projects funded by these grants, and the impacts arising out of this funding, can be found on my personal page under further information.

I actively collaborate with other academic institutions including Cardiff University, The University of Manchester, Swansea University and University College London. I also work closely with industry including DSTL, Rapiscan Systems, Safeline and Siemens Healthineers.

Grants

Turing Network Development Grant (CoI). Enhancing Keele’s Data Science Network, £30K (January 2022-September 2022).
EPSRC Response-Mode Project EP/V009028/1 (PI): Object Detection, Location and Identification at Radio Frequencies in the Near Field [joint with Professors Lionheart and Professor Law, The University of Manchester] Total value of EPSRC funding for two institutions £592,342 (August 2021-July 2024)
EPSRC Response-Mode Project EP/V049453/1 (PI): Generalised Magnetic Polarizability Tensors: Invariants and Symmetry Groups, [joint with Professor Lionheart, The University of Manchester] Total value of EPSRC funding for two institutions £78,310 (July 2021-June 2022)
EPSRC CASE Award Studentship (PI) - Machine Learning for Magnet Manufacture with Siemens Healthineers and Professor Gil, Swansea University, Value £117K. (July 2021 -June 2025)
EPSRC DTP Studentship 2129099 (PI) - Machine Learning for Improving Metal Detection. Value £60K. October 2018- March 2022.
EPSRC Response-Mode Project EP/R002134/1, EP/R002134/2 (PI): Reducing the Threat to Public Safety: Improved metallic object characterisation, location and detection [joint with Professors Lionheart, Peyton The University of Manchester and Dr Timo Betcke, UCL]. Total value of the EPSRC funding for three institutions £648K. (January 2018- December 2021)
EPSRC Case Award Studentship EP/L505699/1 (PI): Simulation of magneto-mechanical coupling in MRI scanners with Siemens Magnet Technology and Professor Gil, Swansea University. Total value of the EPSRC and company funding £98K. July 2014-December 2017.
EPSRC Response-Mode EP/K023950/1 (PI): Inverse Problems for Magnetic Induction Tomography [joint with Professors Brown, Marletta, Walker, Cardiff University]. Total value of two institutions EPSRC funding £648K. September 2013- August 2016.
EPSRC Mathematical Sciences Small Grant EP/K039865/1 (PI): Generalised Polarisation Tensors for Maxwell’s Equations [joint with Professor Lionheart, The University of Manchester]. Total value of EPSRC funding £22K. July 2013- July 2015.
EPSRC Bridging the Gaps Escalator Grant (PI): Application of hp-finite elements to the coupled Maxwell-Biot system for applications in Seismo-electric measurements [Joint with Professors Gil and Kulessa, Swansea University]. March 2012-July 2013. (£3K).
HESTEM project funding (PI): College of Engineering Mathematics Support Service, Swansea University. September 2011-July 2012. (£7K).
Swansea University small teaching grant (PI): Use of Tablet PC’s in engineering mathematics lectures. September 2011-July 2012. (£1.5K).
Royal Society travel grant (France) (PI). June 2012. (£1.5K).