Eileen Harkin-Jones facts for kids

Eileen M. A. Harkin-Jones is a leading professor in engineering. She works with special materials called composites at Ulster University. She holds a special title as the Bombardier Aerospace-Royal Academy of Engineering professor.

Becoming an Engineer

Eileen Harkin-Jones started her journey by studying mechanical engineering. She went to University College Dublin and finished her first degree in 1983. She did very well, earning top honors. Later, she continued her studies at Queen's University Belfast. There, she earned her PhD in 1992. Her PhD research focused on materials used in a process called rotational moulding.

Her Work and Discoveries

Eileen Harkin-Jones became a teacher, or lecturer, at Queen's University in 1993. In 1999, she made history. She became the first woman to be named an engineering professor in all of Ireland.

Her main work involves how to process polymers. Polymers are like plastics, which are materials made of many small units joined together. She also works on creating new materials. In 2015, she was given a special role at Ulster University. She became the Bombardier-Royal Academy of Engineering professor of composite engineering.

At Ulster University, Professor Harkin-Jones focuses on materials for airplanes. These are called aerospace composites. She also works on making plastics in ways that are better for the environment. She uses different methods like injection moulding and thermoforming. She also uses a method called additive manufacturing, which is like 3D printing. Through these methods, she explores advanced thermoplastic composite materials. These materials can be used for things like medical devices and parts for airplanes.

Professor Harkin-Jones has written over 200 scientific papers. These papers have been reviewed by other experts. She has also helped secure a lot of money for her research.

Helping Others in STEM

Professor Harkin-Jones is also very active in helping others. She is part of a committee for higher education at the Royal Academy of Engineering. She also helps lead the Northern Ireland Higher Education Authority. She works hard to encourage more girls and women to join fields like science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM). She is also a member of a group in the government that focuses on manufacturing.

Awards and Special Recognitions

Professor Harkin-Jones has received many important awards for her work.

• In 2011, she was chosen as a Fellow of the Royal Academy of Engineering (FREng). This is a very high honor for engineers in the UK.
• In 2013, she was given the Order of the British Empire (OBE). This award recognized her important contributions to higher education.
• In 2017, she was also made a Fellow of the Irish Academy of Engineering.