Whitworth Visionary 2017: MICHAEL FRANCIS KELLY
Michael Kelly AMIMechE Wh.Sch is in the final stages of an industry-linked PhD at the University of Liverpool, using simulation to de-risk future aircraft operations to the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers.
Before completing a BEng (Hons) in Mechanical Engineering in 2013, Michael began his career working at sea and ashore as a marine diesel engineer, performing inspection and repair of marine propulsion and power generation systems.
He said: “It is a great honour to be selected by the Institution as the 2017 Whitworth Scholarship Visionary, particularly so early in my career. I feel fortunate to have had the opportunity to work as an engineer on several exciting projects so far, and hope that flagship engineering projects, such as the Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers, can inspire other young people to dedicate themselves to a career in engineering – either via the apprenticeship or degree routes.”
During his undergraduate degree Michael undertook two summer internships with Lloyd’s Register, the marine classification society. He gained familiarity with maritime class rules in a practical environment, performing inspections on board a range of ships, including the world’s first hybrid roll-on roll-off passenger ferry, MV Hallaig, and HMS Queen Elizabeth during her build at Rosyth. He said:
“An internship is an excellent way for an undergraduate engineer on a full-time degree to obtain professional experience, which is essential to help develop skills for the workplace – both in terms of applying theory to the real world, and in developing “soft” skills such as report-writing and presenting.”
In the final year of his undergraduate degree, Michael received an award for his outstanding individual project work. He became a Whitworth Scholar in 2013, and is now an elected committee member of the Whitworth Society.
After he graduated, Michael embarked on his PhD in the Flight Science & Technology research group at Liverpool’s School of Engineering, with the working title, ‘The Development, Validation and Integration of Carrier Airwake Simulations for use in Fixed-Wing and Rotary-Wing Flight Simulation’.
The PhD project is specifically focused on the new Queen Elizabeth Class aircraft carriers and the possible airwake problems encountered by aircraft landing on them. This research is being undertaken through an Industrial CASE award jointly funded by BAE Systems. Michael also won a Whitworth Senior Scholarship award to support his research. His PhD thesis is due to be submitted by March 2018.
Michael’s work and his approach has distinguished him at Liverpool. He was awarded ‘Best post-graduate teaching assistant in the School of Engineering’ through his work with students and supervision of final year projects. In addition, he won a William Morgan Scholarship, awarded to one engineering student annually, which enabled him to travel across India before attending an international marine conference in China. He said:
“Mentoring others is a hugely rewarding experience, and to be selected by the undergraduate student cohort as the best post-graduate teaching assistant was very humbling. I have also benefited greatly from these experiences.”
Michael is also a student member of the Institute of Marine Engineering, Science & Technology (IMarEst) and a student member of the Royal Aeronautical Society (RAeS).
Looking to the future, he said: “My focus is currently to complete and submit my PhD thesis. After this, I aim to pursue Chartered Engineer status with Institution, while continuing to work on exciting engineering projects – I am very fortunate to enjoy what I do.”