Eleanor graduated with a 1st Class Masters Degree in Materials Science and Engineering from Imperial College London. As part of Eleanor’s first degree, she was employed at Industrial Research Limited in New Zealand (now Callaghan Innovation). Here, she developed specialised ceramic filters for the use in hydrogen cells, assisting in the purification of hydrogen.
Following this, her PhD work involved researching ceramic materials for nuclear fuel storage applications (requiring high temperature and pressure resistance). During this time, she worked closely with several nuclear establishments across the globe with whom she collaborated. Eleanor also spent time at Nanyang Technology University in Singapore, where she investigated ceramic systems for a variety of energy applications such as fuel cells, including lithium-ion batteries.
After completing her PhD, Eleanor was seconded to the Government Office for Science and the Department for Business, Innovation and Skills to be part of the Nuclear Energy Research and Development Review Board, chaired by the then Chief Scientist, Sir John Beddington. The work was commissioned after the House of Lords published a critical report on the future of nuclear energy in the UK. She assessed the UK’s nuclear energy landscape, which involved close communication with stakeholders across the nuclear industry (including academia, industry and government departments). Eleanor delivered a review of the UK’s nuclear research and development landscape as part of the Nuclear Research and Development (R&D) Advisory Board, which was published as a White Paper together with a roadmap and strategy.
Eleanor then took up a consultant position with Adelard LLP, who specialise in risk, security and safety analysis for a wide range of industries; defence, nuclear, rail and critical frameworks. Whilst at Adelard, she established a new specialist work area in hydraulic fracturing and spent time examining fractured engine blades from F35 combat aircraft.
Eleanor is the Head of the Materials Group at Hawkins and is a Chartered Engineer, Chartered Scientist and Fellow of the IOM3 based in our Reigate office. She specialises in material failures (glass, polymers, metals, ceramics, refractory materials), metallurgy, escapes of water, oil and fuels, system failures, and personal injury.
