Profile
Elspeth Keating
My CV
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Education:
I went to school in Toulouse, France at the College and Lycee Pierre de Fermat. Then I went to University in Glasgow, and studied Naval Architecture – that’s the design and build of boats and ships. After that I did a degree in Material Science in Ireland, then a PhD in Material Science applied to cars and now I’m doing a degree in Railway Systems Engineering – that’s the design and build of trains and train tracks. I realistically love learning.
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Qualifications:
at 15: Brevet des Colleges – French equivalent to the GCSEs;
at 17: French Baccalaureate – equivalent to A levels except I did 9 topics (you have to);
at 21: Masters of Engineering – Naval Architecture and Small Craft Engineering;
at 23: PgDip – Advanced Materials;
at 27: PhD – Lightweight Materials and Manufacturing;
at 30: PgCert – Railway Systems Engineering and Integration. -
Work History:
Samsung Heavy Industries (Shipyard, South Korea) 3 months in 2009
Sailing Instructor, in France and in Ireland, 8 years over summer holidays from 2006 to 2015
Researcher, University of Warwick since 2016 -
Current Job:
Research Fellow, Lightweight materials and manufacturing, WMG, University of Warwick
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About Me:
I love asking questions, learning new things, being outside, sports, and hanging out with my family!
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Read more
I live in Coventry with my partner and 1 year old son. We have a couple of bird feeders and get regular visits from a ring neck parakeet. We’ve named him Petey. I love my job and feel very lucky to be doing research that has a direct impact on things that get mass produced – like cars or trains. I have done a lot of competitive sailing, and love a good game of Trivial Pursuit.
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Read more
Lab days involve repeatedly breaking samples, and then analysing the data. I spend some of my time analysing the results to better understand what’s happening. I also supervise students, and spend some time applying for money to continue the work that we do!
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My Typical Day:
I get up with my son! We get ready for the day then I drop him at nursery and go to work. I check my plan for the day, and double check all my equipment and samples. I do some breaking, then look at the data to see what information I can understand about the material I broke.
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What I'd do with the prize money:
Show students rail vehicles (trains) of the future, in construction!
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My Interview
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How would you describe yourself in 3 words?
Always asking questions.
What did you want to be after you left school?
Happy.
Were you ever in trouble at school?
Yes. I was a tyrant to one of our teacher training in Maths and my grades never recovered.
Who is your favourite singer or band?
It depends on the mood!
What's your favourite food?
Pasta.
If you had 3 wishes for yourself what would they be? - be honest!
Be better at arithmatic, always make time to do what I love, make a difference through my work.
Tell us a joke.
What do you call a bullet proof Irishman? Rick O'Shea.
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