Dr Kian Tan

I originally studied Naval Architecture here in the UK before returning to Singapore to enrol on a Mechanical Engineering course. I came to Northumbria in 2001 after lecturing at Newcastle University and am now subject leader for the Mechanical Engineering area.

There are several aspects that make an academic career interesting and rewarding to me. I derive pleasure from being able to help students build confidence and achieve their full potential both in their academic and professional careers. Research adds an additional learning and enriching element to this job, as one continues to explore new areas and applies these in various ways: linking to teaching, updating the curriculum, or tackling industrial problems. All these activities are not isolated but linked through collaborations with other universities, professional bodies and industry, the third element that makes this job interesting. Drawing satisfaction from helping students, stimulating own interests with research the results of which either feedback to teaching or feed forward to industry, what else can one ask for from a career?

Research wise, I am interested in discipline-based and pedagogic research.  Data analysis, safety/risk analysis, multiple criteria decision making and engineering design are some of my disciplined-based research interests.  Pedagogic research interests include linking research to teaching, helping students achieving learning outcomes required to achieve professional qualification and assessment of learning outcomes.

My main hobbies are travelling, music and photography. Travelling allows me to explore different landscapes, people, and cultures and also to explore the fascinating ways to “paint with light” which is what photography really does – from faithfully record a scene, to artistic or personal expressions given the subject matter.