Richard's research interests revolve around precision laser manufacturing, optical system automation and fibre optics. Recent projects have included: high power beam delivery with novel hollow core fibre optics; fibre optic environmental sensing; micro material processing including machining, drilling and welding; microwelding of highly dissimilar materials; the use of robotics to align optical systems and novel beamshaping techniques. His research has led to collaborations with a number of external partners including Renishaw, Leonardo MW, Gooch and Housego, M-Solv, Oxford Lasers, MTC, CPI, University of Bath, University of Manchester, Cranfield University, Cambridge University and the CSIR (India).

Richard graduated from the University of Edinburgh in 2005 with an MPhys, from the Universities of St-Andrews and Heriot-Watt with an MSc in photonics and opto-electronic devices in 2007 and in 2012 from Heriot-Watt with a PhD developing long period fibre gratings for environmental gas sensing. He then joined the high power laser applications group at Heriot-Watt as a research associate investigating laser based production processes. In 2018 was appointed a Research Fellow (Lecturer) within the Institute for Photonics and Quantum Sciences at Heriot-Watt University and in 2021 promoted to his current role as Associate Professor with teaching responsibilities in both Physics and Mechanical Engineering.

He is a member of the Applied Optics and Photonics Group, The Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences and the National Robotarium where he serves as the Academic Lead in Precision Laser Applications. Outside of the University he is a Vice President of the Association of Industrial Laser Users and chair of their External Engagement Board.

Richard currently serves as the Laser Safety Officer for the National Robotarium building, the Academic Lead for the Precision Laser Applicaitons Labs in the National Robotarium, The AWE-HWU Strategic Alliance Manager, Coordinator for REF 2029 Engineering Impact, and (externally) one of the Vice-Presidents of the UK Association of Industrial Laser Users.

Richard teaches both in Physics (4th year Laser Physics, 1st year Wave Mechanics) and in Engineering (3rd year Additive Manufacturing).

Applied Optics and Photonics Group

Institute of Photonics and Quantum Sciences

Heriot-Watt University, Edinburgh EH14 4AS

Office: EMB: G.19,

Phone: +44 (0)131 451 4143

E-Mail: [email protected]