Find an expert
The University of Surrey has a broad range of expertise across a number of areas, including engineering sciences, psychology, business, technology and health sciences.
If you would like to get in touch with any of our experts, or find out more, please get in touch with a member of the External Communications and PR team.
Key areas and experts
Biochemistry

Professor Derk-Jan Dijk
Professor of Sleep and Physiology, Director Surrey Sleep Research Centre
Biography
Director of the Surrey Sleep Research Centre and of Sleep Wake Research in the Surrey Clinical Research Facility, Professor Derk-Jan Dijk is also Associate Dean of Research and Enterprise in the Faculty of Health and Medical Sciences. Professor Dijk has published more than 160 research and review papers in the area of sleep and circadian rhythms. He is frequently asked to speak at international sleep meetings, and has given opening and plenary lectures for the joint meeting of the Canadian Sleep Society, American Academy of Sleep Medicine and Sleep Research Society, The European Sleep Research Society and the Hong Kong Sleep Medicine Society.
Areas of expertise:
- Manipulation of sleep and cognition
- The role of circadian rhythmicity in sleep regulation
- Identification of novel-biomarkers for susceptibility to the negative effects of sleep loss
- Understanding age and sex related differences in sleep physiology and sleep disorders.
Communications technologies and 5G

Professor Rahim Tafazolli
Head of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS)
Biography
Director of the Institute for Communication Systems (ICS), Professor Rahim Tafazolli is one of the world’s experts in mobile communication technology. He is editor of the book ‘Technologies for Wireless Future’ and was appointed as a Fellow of the Wireless World Research Forum (WWRF) in recognition of his personal contribution to the field of wireless communications. He is also a board member of the UK Future Internet Strategy Group (UK-FISG).
Areas of expertise:
- Technical aspects of 5G and 6G research and technology
- The University of Surrey’s 5G/6G Innovation Centre.
Computing and cyber security

Professor Alan Woodward
Visiting Professor
Biography
Professor Alan Woodward is a Visiting Professor at the University’s Department of Computer Science. He is a Fellow of the British Computer Society, Institute of Physics and Royal Statistical Society. Alan’s specialisms lie in cyber security, covert communications and forensic computing and he is currently an advisor to Europol, the European Union's law enforcement agency and has advised Government for many years. Alan is passionate about communicating the importance of safe internet and can be found on Twitter: @profwoodward.
Areas of expertise:
- Cyber security and cyber crime
- Cryptography and surveillance
- Computing technologies.
Electronic engineering

Professor Ravi Silva
Director, Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) and Head of NanoElectronics Centre
Biography
Professor Ravi Silva is the Director of the Advanced Technology Institute (ATI) and heads up the Nanoelectronics Centre which is dedicated to advancing next-generation electronic and photonic devices. His research has resulted in over 500 presentations at international conferences, and over 475 journal papers.
Areas of expertise:
- Advanced graphene and nano-technologies with impact in consumer electronics, solar technology and quantum computing.
Psychology

Professor Jane Ogden
Professor of Health Psychology
Biography
Professor Jane Ogden is Professor of Psychology at the University of Surrey. Her research interests include eating behaviour and obesity, the use of language in the consultation process, and women's health. She has written five academic books, one parenting book on children and food and one novel. Professor Ogden is also a frequent contributor to radio and TV programmes and is often asked to provide expert comments for a wide range of magazines and newspapers. Her most recent book, 'The Good Parenting Food Guide', provides practical ways to help parents manage what their children eat, without making food into a problem.
Areas of expertise:
- The control and loss of control over eating
- The development of dietary habits in childhood
- The medical and surgical management of obesity
- Women's health.
Sustainable development and environmental strategy

Professor Tim Jackson
Professor of Sustainable Development and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP)
Biography
Professor Tim Jackson is Professor of Sustainable Development at the University of Surrey in the UK and Director of the Centre for the Understanding of Sustainable Prosperity (CUSP). CUSP builds on Tim’s vision over three decades to explore the moral, economic and social dimensions of prosperity on a finite planet. He’s served as an advisor on sustainability to numerous commercial, government and intergovernmental organisations.
Between 2004 and 2011, Tim was Economics Commissioner on the UK Sustainable Development Commission, where his work culminated in the publication of his controversial book Prosperity without Growth (Routledge 2009/2017). In 2016, he was awarded the Hillary Laureate for exceptional international leadership. In addition to his academic work, Tim is an award-winning dramatist with numerous radio-writing credits for the BBC. Tim has given more than 400 international keynote presentations and appears regularly in the UK and international media. Video and audio recordings from his talks and interviews can be accessed on Tim’s website.
Areas of expertise:
- Sustainable development and environmental impacts
- Design and management of sustainable technologies, systems and infrastructures
- Ecological economics.