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Dr Kian Tan

Associate Professor

Department: Mechanical and Construction Engineering

Dr John Kiang TanI 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.

  • Abdullah Albadran An Investigation of ISO 9000 Implementation Issues in Saudi Arabia Manufacturing Industry Start Date: 09/01/2012 End Date: 28/10/2016
  • Sivajothi Paramasivam Investigating University-Industry Partnership of Higher Engineering Education Using Cause-Effect Analysis and Multi-Criteria Decision Making: A Malaysian Perspective Start Date: 01/04/2011 End Date: 22/02/2018
  • Anita Susilawati Developing a Performance Measurement Model for Lean Manufacturing Activities (Case Study: Indonesian Manufacturing Industries) Start Date: 17/12/2009 End Date: 23/04/2015

  • Engineering CertHE July 01 2001
  • Design Studies PhD June 30 1999
  • Engineering MSc January 01 1989
  • Maritime Technology July 01 1984
  • Fellow (FIMechE) Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 2014
  • Chartered Engineer (CEng) Engineering Council UK (ECUK) 2003
  • Fellow (FHEA) Higher Education Academy (HEA) 2001
  • Fellow (FIMechE) Institute of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE) 2001


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