Dr Katherine Tant

Strathclyde Chancellor's Fellow, Mathematics & Statistics

The Chancellor’s fellowship scheme affords me with the opportunities and time I need to develop as a research leader, providing me with a platform from which to build my own research group.

The University of Strathclyde offers a unique and rich research environment and is a perfect fit for my applied and industrially focussed research. It is home to the Centre of Ultrasonic Engineering whom I collaborate closely with. The Department of Mathematics and Statistics have a successful Industrial Mathematics research group and a consultancy unit, Statistics & Mathematics Advice, Research & Training (SMART), and so there are lots of opportunities for industrial engagement and knowledge exchange, aspects which are central to my research strategy.

I see myself developing as a research leader working at the interface of academia and industry, combining aspects of theory and application to develop solutions to real industrial challenges. The fellowship will provide me with the recognition and time I need to develop my own leading research group in applied inverse problems and imaging; to continue to expand my industrial network and undertake exciting KE opportunities; to build upon my existing teaching experience and become a fellow of the HEA and finally to provide me with opportunity to act as an ambassador for women in STEM and engage with the next generation of engineers and mathematicians through outreach activities.

Working in mathematics has meant that my research has been minimally impacted by the pandemic and the transition to working from home has been a smooth one. The time gained back from not commuting has left me with a better work-life balance during the week and I hope to maintain a part time remote working arrangement in the future. Although, my travel and international dissemination activities have suffered this year, I have been able to keep up to date with research developments and collaborations using virtual platforms.