Hari Rajasekharan

My background is in metallurgy and materials engineering, with a focus on high temperature materials, hot corrosion and materials characterisation. During my doctoral research, I worked closely with Bharat Heavy Electricals (BHEL), one of India’s largest engineering companies. This gave me direct experience of industrial standards, materials testing and real-world corrosion challenges in power plant environments, which I now bring into my teaching.

I focus on helping students understand not just the theory, but how it applies in real engineering contexts. I use examples from industry and research to explain why materials behave the way they do and how engineers make decisions in practice. This helps my students develop practical understanding, problem-solving skills and a clear sense of how their learning connects to their potential careers.

Alongside teaching, I’ve written and co-written a number of international journal papers, allowing me to bring up-to-date, research-informed knowledge into the classroom. I’ve received recognition for my research, including Best Paper Awards at international conferences and a Research Award during my doctoral studies. I’m also proud to have supervised a project that won first prize at TEKON 2018. I’m currently completing a Level 5 Diploma in Teaching (Further Education and Skills).

What inspires me most is seeing how materials engineering connects to everyday life - from the energy we use to the technology around us. I find it especially rewarding when my students begin to see those connections for themselves and realise the relevance of what they’re learning. 

My advice for new students is to stay curious and not be afraid to ask questions. The more you engage with your learning and make use of the support available, the more confident you’ll become.