Dr Caroline Shenton-Taylor
Biography
In May 2017 Caroline joined the University of Surrey as an Applied Nuclear Physics Lecturer. Presently her interests include radiation detection and smart data analytics, addressing challenges within nuclear security, nuclear decommissioning, dosimetry, radiation in the environment and risk management.
Caroline obtained her PhD in the field of Magnetic Compton Scattering in 2007 from the University of Warwick. Working with synchrotron X-rays, she explored a range of magnetic materials with applications including enhanced computer memory and innovative refrigeration. From 2007 to 2017 Caroline transitioned into industry, leading a diverse portfolio of scientific research projects on behalf of the UK Ministry of Defence and UK Home Office. Throughout this time Caroline was the Team and Technical Lead for an interdisciplinary research team, focused on the development of novel methods to detect the presence of illegal radiological and nuclear materials.
In her spare time Caroline is passionate about scientific exchange and is an active science blogger and speaker, chatting all things science at festivals, schools and community groups. Caroline was the winner of the 2014 UK Famelab competition and the following year used the prize money to launch a space balloon in honour of Auguste Piccard! She maintains the YouTube channel DrCST.
Areas of specialism
My qualifications
Previous roles
Scientific communication
Caroline is an active scientific communicator, with appearances on BBC Radio 4, local radio, a wide range of festivals and evening lectures. She was the winner of the UK Famelab 2014 competition. Explore more of Caroline's YouTube channel, outreach and blog.
News
In the media
Research
Research interests
Radiation detection and advanced data analytics, applied to nuclear physics
- Quantum dot enhanced detection technology
- Detection of radioactive concealed structures
- Risk management through data fusion (nuclear and equestrian sport)
- Novel algorithms and data handling applied to radiation spectra
- Optimised sensor placement for radiological research
- Innovative alpha detection for environmental applications.
Research collaborations
Caroline has collaborated and exchanged scientific ideas with a wide range of organisations including:
- US Government Defence Departments
- US National Laboratories
- University of Illinois
- AWE
- BAE
- Imperial College London
- University of Manchester
- University of Liverpool
- University College London
- St Mary's University
- National Physical Laboratory
- UK Home Office
- UK Ministry of Defence.
My teaching
- Physics Admissions Tutor
- U/G Year 1 (Level 4) Fundamentals of Physics
- U/G Year 1 (Level 4) Small Group Tutorial Classes
- MSc Extended Group Project Module Lead
- MSc Radiation Laboratory, part of academic supervisory team
- PhD supervision
- MSc Dissertation Project supervision
- MPhys Visiting Tutor
- BSc Final Year Project supervision
- Professional Training Year (PTY) Visiting Tutor
- Personal Tutor
My publications
Highlights
Examples of co-authored publications/articles/proceedings are listed below.