Gareth Pierce

Professor Gareth Pierce is a leading academic at the University of Strathclyde, serving as Co-Director of the Centre for Ultrasonic Engineering and Academic Director of the UK Research Centre in Non-Destructive Evaluation (RCNDE). He specializes in robotics, autonomous systems, and non-destructive evaluation (NDT&E), with a focus on structural health monitoring (SHM) and advanced manufacturing. His work integrates robotics, AI, and ultrasonics to address challenges in aerospace, energy, and healthcare sectors. He holds a Spirit Aerosystems/Royal Academy of Engineering Research Chair and leads the £50M SEARCH (Sensor Enabled Automation, Robotics & Control Hub), which spans manufacturing and asset management applications.

Education: BSc (Hons) in Pure and Applied Physics from the University of Manchester (1989), PhD in Fibre-Optic Interferometers for Laser-Generated Ultrasound from UMIST (1993). Additional qualifications include City & Guilds certifications in electrical installations and a PGDip in Psychological Wellbeing.

Research Priorities

• Autonomous robotic inspection for manufacturing and asset management
• Integration of AI/machine learning with NDT&E systems
• In-process inspection for additive manufacturing and welding
• Ultrasonic and guided wave technologies for defect detection

Key Achievements

• 2023 Anne Birt Award for NDT innovation
• Leadership roles in SRPe Robotics & UK HVM Catapult initiatives
• Over 270 research outputs, 86 projects, and a £50M research portfolio

Teaching

Course organiser for EE312 (Instrumentation & Microcontrollers) and contributes to advanced systems engineering education. Supervises student projects across engineering disciplines.

Labs & Collaborations

SEARCH Hub operates from Royal College R2.41 (manufacturing applications) and Technology Innovation Centre TIC 7.14 (asset management). Collaborates with global industry partners like Spirit Aerosystems and Högskolan Väst (Sweden).