William MacPherson is a Associate Professor in Physics and a member of the Applied Optics and Photonics research group in the School of Engineering and Physical Sciences. His research interests are centred around the application of optical and fibre-optic techniques for measurement and instrumentation. This work includes high bandwidth temperature and pressure sensors for aerodynamic measurements, novel fibres for structural monitoring, vibration and acceleration measurement, and studies into potential sensing applications of novel microstructured fibres. Recent work includes monitoring in remote environments, including sub-sea hydrodynamic flow measurement. 

Many of these projects have been in colaboration with industry (such as QinetiQ, Rolls-Royce, Land Rover, Image Automation, AWE plc, Renishaw, Atlas Electronik), and other Universities (including Oxford, Bath, Sheffield, Aston, Birmingham, Leeds, Tallin, Groeninig Universities).

He has published over 90 journal and conference papers in this area, and was on the organising committee for the 2010 European Workshop on Optical Fibre Sensors and local organising commitee for the 20th International Conference on Optical Fibre Sensors.

Associate Editor IEEE Sensors Journal, IEEE Sensors Council (2012-2016).