Innovation in Engineering Education; Cyberinfrastructure in Engineering Design; Socio-Technical Impacts on Engineering Design Processes; Multidisciplinary Design Synthesis; Optimal Design
Ken English received his Ph.D. in Mechanical Engineering from the University at Buffalo in 2001, with his research focusing on using information technology and visualization to design and optimize complex, multidisciplinary system. Along with his research, Ken has worked in industry implementing digital solutions for sales and operations support in the food industry, plant layout in the chemical products industry, and with small companies looking to improve business performance. As a research site co-director of the NSF Center for eDesign (www.centerforedesign.org), Ken is working with several universities and over 35 corporate and governmental partners to combine industry needs with academic resources to bridge the gap between research and implementation.
In 2002, Ken co-developed a course, "Information Technology in Engineering Design" The first of its kind in the country, the course focused on introducing engineering students to how information technology would transform their workplace. In 2012, Ken collaboratively developed and taught the Knowledge-Driven New Product Development (KD-NPD) program. Ken continues to focus on interdisciplinary initiatives, fostering the growth of SMART, working with colleagues in the Graduate School of Education to develop and launch an after school Engineering Camp for 3rd and 4th graders, and develop multiple courses for an Industry 4.0 inspired MOOC specialization offered on Coursera: Digital Manufacturing and Design Technology.