Matthew Watkins

Matthew Watkins is a Senior Lecturer in Sustainable Product Design Engineering at the Wolfson School, Loughborough University. Previously, he held roles as Principal Lecturer and postgraduate courses manager at Nottingham Trent University (2021–2023), Senior Lecturer in Product Design (2012–2021), and Visiting Lecturer at the University of Hertfordshire (2010–2013). He has also served as an external examiner for multiple UK universities in Product Design courses.

• Current Position: Senior Lecturer at Loughborough University
• Prior Roles: Nottingham Trent University, University of Hertfordshire, and De Montfort University

Education:

• PhD in Sustainable Product Design Education, Loughborough University (2014)
• PGCE in Secondary Design Technology Education (2005)
• MSc in Rapid Product Development (2004)
• BSc in Industrial Design Engineering, De Montfort University (2003)

Research Interests:

• Sustainable Product Design and Lifespan Analysis
• E-Scooter Safety and Urban Air Quality
• AI Integration in Engineering Education
• Circular Economy and Repairability in Product Design
• Pedagogical Innovations in Engineering Curriculum

His work emphasizes interdisciplinary approaches, combining environmental sustainability with technological solutions. Recent studies focus on urban mobility, e-scooter risk assessment, and generative AI’s impact on student performance.

Scientific Awards:

• Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA)
• Member of the Institute of Engineering Designers (MIED)

Grants & Advising: Extensive collaboration with Nottingham City Council on e-scooter management reports. Active in curriculum development for sustainability-focused engineering programs. External examiner roles across UK universities highlight his academic leadership.

Labs/Teams: Collaborates with interdisciplinary teams on projects involving sensor fusion, urban policy analysis, and medical device innovation.