In civil engineering, Professor Robert Mair is a partner in a major London consulting firm, and technology transfer within his field of foundation engineering is substantial. We have been less successful in pursuing new ideas to successful commercial exploitation on the world stage. We intend to help change that. For some subjects, industry is our laboratory. At the Department of Materials Science and Metallurgy, the Government and over 130 companies sponsor ground-breaking work.
Researchers look at strength and fracture behaviour in a wide range of alloys and composites.
Research on polymers is underway within the Melville Laboratory for Polymer Synthesis, a multi-disciplinary venture within the University led by Professor Andrew Holmes. We believe it will sustain the position of Cambridge at the cutting edge of research. The Department of Engineering was quick to perceive the importance of training students for future careers in industry. The University's thriving international business school, the Judge Institute of Management Studies, was founded in 1990 thanks to support from Sir Paul and Lady Judge, The Monument Trust, and Mr and Mrs Peter Beckwith. Its Director, Professor Sandra Dawson, a specialist in organisational behaviour and health management, heads an international faculty of 65 teaching and research staff.