James G Broughton

Professor James G Broughton is a Professor and Research Lead in Engineering at Oxford Brookes University, affiliated with the School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics. He leads research in joining technology and composite materials, with a strong focus on sustainability, disassembly, and industrial applications across aerospace, automotive, and civil engineering sectors.

• Professor & Research Lead in Engineering
• School of Engineering, Computing and Mathematics
• Oxford Brookes University
• Email: jgbroughton@brookes.ac.uk

His research interests revolve around structural adhesives, bonded composite materials, design for disassembly (DfD), recycling of multi-material structures, surface treatments for timber and composites, and durability of bonded joints. He has led significant projects in sustainable engineering, including the development of disbondable adhesives and recyclable wind turbine blades (ECORE WINDS project). His work bridges fundamental mechanics with industrial implementation, particularly in adhesion science and composite repair.

The recent publications highlight a consistent trend in adhesion mechanics, composite durability, and recycling-focused design. Keywords across articles include composite materials, mechanical testing, computational modeling, and sustainable engineering. Subfields such as particle debonding, cohesive zone modeling, strain-rate sensitivity, and surface activation reflect a deep engagement with both theoretical and applied aspects of material interfaces and joint performance.

• Innovate UK Research Excellence Award 2014
• JEC Manufacturing Production Winner 2011 (full-composite nodal trusses)

Professor Broughton has supervised multiple PhD and MSc students and serves as a volunteer peer research mentor at the university. He has led major research initiatives including the Joining Technology Research Centre (JTRC) and participates in knowledge transfer through consultancy, training, and industrial collaboration. His projects often involve funding from Innovate UK and European programs, with applications in YASA Motors, 3M, Bostik, and the National Composites Centre.

He led the Joining Technology Research Centre (JTRC), now integrated into the Materials Processing and Modelling (MPM) group, and is part of the Mechanics, Materials and Design (MMD) research group. These labs support interdisciplinary research in adhesives, composite manufacturing, and structural analysis, serving both academic and industrial partners.