Biography

Biography

I graduated with BSc(Hons) in physics from Edinburgh University in 1976 and DPhil from the Clarendon Laboratory, Oxford University in 1979. My doctoral work there utilised ENDOR spectroscopy to study atomic magnetism in solids. I then worked for seven years at Unilever Research, Port Sunlight Laboratory, in the area of x-ray scattering (both small and wide angle) from a wide range of materials from minerals to micellar systems.

A transition back to academic work followed through a lectureship in physics at Staffordshire University where I became head of physics in 1995, then head of natural sciences (chemistry, geology and physics) in 1998. In this role I led the initial development of forensic science degrees at Staffordshire.

In 2001 I joined the academic staff at Keele where I was director of undergraduate studies in physics before committing myself principally to forensic science from 2004. I was the course director for forensic science from to 2012 - 2015. I retired in 2020 and am now an honorary university fellow.

I have written two textbooks, both for Wiley: Essential Mathematics and Statistics for Forensic Science was published in 2010 and Forensic Evidence in Court: Evaluation and Scientific Opinion in 2016. I am a Fellow of the Institute of Physics and a Member of the Chartered Society of Forensic Sciences.

School address

Lennard-Jones School of Chemical and Physical Sciences
Lennard-Jones Building
Keele University
Staffordshire
ST5 5BG, UK
Phone (School Office): +44 (0)1782 733033, (Chemistry): +44 (0)1782 731693, (Forensic Science): +44 (0)1782 731694, (Physics): +44 (0)1782 733527
Email: scps@keele.ac.uk

Information for schools and colleges

Contact us about our workshops and lecture series

Programme directors

Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Tess Phillips
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733038
Email : t.r.phillips@keele.ac.uk

Dr Chris Hawes
Tel : +44 (0)1782 732820
Email : c.s.hawes@keele.ac.uk

Forensic Science and Criminology
Dr Jamie K. Pringle
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733163
Email : j.k.pringle@keele.ac.uk

Victoria Cartwright
Tel: +44 (0)1782733584
Email: v.cartwright@keele.ac.uk

Physics and Astrophysics
Dr Barry Smalley and Dr Joana Oliveira
Email : b.smalley@keele.ac.ukj.oliveira@keele.ac.uk

Admission tutors

Chemistry and Medicinal Chemistry
Dr Natalie Capel
Tel : +44 (0)1782 733584
Email : n.j.capel@keele.ac.uk

Forensic Science
Sue Shemilt
Email: s.shemilt@keele.ac.uk

Physics and Astrophysics
Dr Juliana Morbec
Email : physics@keele.ac.uk or j.morbec@keele.ac.uk