Assoc. Prof. Dr. Paul D. Docherty

Qualifications: PhD (mechanical), BE(hons, mechanical), BCITO qualified tradesman

Current role: Associate Professor, University of Canterbury, New Zealand (highly accelerated progression)

Previous major work history: Builder with ~5 years of experience

Publication summary: H-index = 18 in 9 years post PhD. 84 journal papers in top journals, 127 conference submissions, 1 book chapter and 2 peer-reviewed reports. Topics include: Bioengineering, numerical methods, theory and practice in model-based analysis, statistics, engineering education, diabetes.

Student supervision: 23 postgraduate students. Thirteen as primary supervisor, 19 as co-supervisor; 50 honours students and 32 project students.

Major teaching awards: USCA College of Engineering teaching award 2012. College of Engineering Emerging teacher award 2015. College of Engineering Emerging researcher award 2019.

Total Grants: Approximately $1.4M (NZD)

Some points of difference:

• Strong work history in trades
• Strong relationships with clinical practitioners and clinical experience (as an engineer)
• Highly student focused approach to prioritisation
• Had broad range of struggles in undergrad – gives high level of empathy for struggling students and ability to implement successful strategies to get them back on track