Helen Dobson

Helen Dobson is a Senior Lecturer in Civil Engineering and Management at the University of Manchester, affiliated with the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering (MACE). Her career began in the petrochemical industry, where she focused on environmental compliance and risk management, before transitioning to academia in 2000. She has held roles at UMIST, Manchester University, and the Manchester Business School, specializing in experiential and practice-based learning methodologies such as problem-based learning and reflective practice. She is actively involved in sustainability initiatives, including the Circular Economy and Education for Sustainable Development, and contributes to university-wide sustainability committees. Her teaching spans undergraduate and postgraduate programs in engineering and management, emphasizing interdisciplinary approaches to environmental challenges.

Her pedagogic research explores innovative teaching methods, including e-learning tools and transformative project-based learning units. She supervises dissertation projects for students in MACE’s taught programs but does not oversee PhD or postdoctoral research. Helen’s work aligns with UN Sustainable Development Goals, particularly addressing climate action and sustainable cities. She has collaborated on grants related to sustainable development education and ethics, though specific grant details are not elaborated in the text.

Her publications reflect a focus on educational strategies for sustainability, open access compliance in academic publishing, and interdisciplinary learning. Her contributions to academic integrity include co-authoring the Think. Check. Submit. campaign promoting ethical research practices.

Helen’s involvement in sustainability extends beyond teaching, including roles in the Management of Projects Group and participation in institutional sustainability initiatives. Her research and pedagogical innovations aim to equip engineers with the skills and ethical frameworks needed to address global societal challenges.