Richard Bucknall

Professor Richard Bucknall is the Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering at University College London (UCL), holding the Kennedy Chair of Mechanical Engineering. His career spans academic and industry roles in marine systems, electrical propulsion, and sustainable technologies.

• PhD in Marine Electrical Engineering (Royal Naval Engineering College, 1995)
• BEng (University of Plymouth, 1988)
• HNC (City of London Polytechnic, 1980)

His research focuses on applied marine engineering, low-carbon ship propulsion, autonomous maritime systems, and hydrogen/fuel cell technologies. Recent work includes energy management frameworks for hybrid ships, path planning algorithms for USVs, and thermal design of superconducting marine systems.

Key trends in his publications involve AI-driven control systems, hybrid propulsion optimization, and ocean current-adaptive robotics, reflecting interdisciplinary approaches to maritime sustainability.

• Co-Editor for IMarEST (2010-present)
• BSI Office Holder (2010)
• Member of IEEE and IET

He led the MSc Marine Engineering program (1995-2023) and served as Vice Dean for Research at UCL Engineering Faculty (2020-23). His work bridges academia and industry through consultancy and collaborative projects.