Eileen Harkin-Jones

Harkin-Jones studied mechanical engineering at University College Dublin, and received first class honours in 1983.[4] She completed her PhD at Queen's University Belfast[5] working on materials for rotational moulding in 1992.[6]

Harkin-Jones was appointed a lecturer at Queen's in 1993.[6] In 1999 Harkin-Jones became the first woman to be appointed an engineering professor in Ireland.[7] Her research is on polymer processing and the development of materials.[4][8] In 2015 she was appointed the Bombardier-Royal Academy of Engineering professor of composite engineering at Ulster University.[6] At Ulster University she focuses on aerospace composites and sustainable plastic manufacture.[9][10] Using injection moulding, thermoforming and additive manufacture Harkin-Jones is exploring advanced thermoplastic composite materials for medical devices and aerospace.[11] She has published over 200 peer reviewed papers,[1][2] and secured funding over £12 million.[11]

She is a member of the Royal Academy of Engineering Higher Education committee and Deputy Chair of the Northern Ireland Higher Education Authority.[12][13] She is campaigns for gender equality in science, technology, engineering, and mathematics (STEM) at a national level.[14] She is a member of the All-Party Parliamentary Group for Manufacturing.[15]