Background:
Valerie Pinfield is an engineer with a mathematical physics background, and has developed a broad spectrum of research interests. She is committed to the development of future professionals in engineering and beyond, through teaching, research, and wider academic activities.
Valerie joined Loughborough University as a Lecturer in 2012, having undertaken postdoctoral research at the Universities of Leeds and Nottingham, and was awarded a personal chair in 2023. Prior to becoming an academic, she worked in industry, at the Welding Institute (now TWI, Cambridge), and at Cadbury Ltd (Bournville). She served as Head of the Department of Chemical Engineering 2017-20, Director of Student Experience for the School of Aeronautical, Automotive, Chemical and Materials Engineering (2023-2024) and Acting Dean for the School (Sept 2024-Aug 2025). From August 2025, she took up the role of Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Doctoral College for Loughborough University.
Valerie’s longstanding research interests are in physical acoustics, relating to the propagation of waves through inhomogeneous materials, exploring applications in material characterisation and in metamaterial design. She is also working in machine learning and digitalisation for material design and process optimisation, focussing on electrochemical technologies. She leads the group driving the development of infrastructure and facilities projects in hydrogen, from sustainable propulsion for transport, through materials development and testing, to production and storage technologies.
Qualifications:
- MA Natural Sciences, University of Cambridge
- PhD Food Science, University of Leeds
Key awards:
- Fellow of the Institute of Physics
- Chartered Physicist
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
Outline of main research interests:
- Multiple wave scattering in soft complex materials
- Ultrasonic characterisation of materials
- Design of metamaterials
- Machine learning for design of materials for energy and electrochemical systems
- Digitalisation for process optimisation
- Interfacial science and nano/microbubble applications
Grants and contracts:
- 2011-2015 KTP – Development of capability to process EPDM and silicone rubber compounds for “warm” window edge sealing systems, TSB and Thermoseal Ltd.
Teaching responsibilities
-
Thermodynamics and fluid mechanics
Administrative responsibilities:
-
Associate Pro-Vice-Chancellor for the Doctoral College
Publications are available through Orcid, Google Scholar or Web of Science and most are openly available through the Figshare system, please use the links on my profile information at the top of the page.
External Collaborators:
- Rolls-Royce, Derby
- National Physical Laboratory (NPL)
- Nottingham University
External roles and appointments:
In 2023, Prof Pinfield was co-organiser of a six-month programme on the Mathematical Theory and Applications of Multiple Wave Scattering at the Isaac Newton Institute for Mathematical Sciences, Cambridge, and was awarded a Simons Fellowship.