Benjamin Williamson

Benjamin Williamson is an Associate Professor and Senior Research Fellow at the University of the Highlands and Islands (UHI), affiliated with the Environmental Research Institute (ERI) and the Centre for Energy and the Environment (CfEE). He serves as Lead Scientist for the Energy Research Theme at ERI and chairs UHI Energy Innovation. His work focuses on marine and terrestrial sensing, with applications in environmental science, sensor fusion, and renewable energy impact assessment. Williamson holds a PhD in Robotics and has expertise in developing sensor platforms for marine environments, including UAVs and subsea systems.

• Education:
  • PhD in Electrical and Electronic Engineering, University of Bath (2013)
  • Adjunct in Mechanical Engineering, Dalhousie University (2025)
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng, IET, 2017) and Honorary Reader at Aberdeen University (2023)

Research interests include sensor fusion, remote sensing (aerial and underwater), machine learning, and the ecological effects of marine renewable energy devices. Current projects address offshore wind impacts (PELAgIO), fish migration monitoring (PREDICT), and floating offshore wind effects (IFLOW). He also leads initiatives in island energy systems (ROBINSON) and sustainable aviation (SATE).

Notable contributions include advancing methodologies for environmental impact assessments, developing automated detection systems for marine turbulence, and integrating UAVs for hydrodynamic and ecological surveys. His work often bridges engineering and ecology, emphasizing sustainable energy solutions while mitigating environmental risks.

Scientific awards include recognition for his contributions to engineering and marine science. He actively supervises PhD students and collaborates with industry through Knowledge Transfer Partnerships (KTPs).