Salford Acoustics


Salford Acoustics offers Acoustics and Audio Engineering Courses, undertakes public and industrial research in acoustics, carries out commercial testing, and undertakes activities to engage the public in acoustic science and engineering. It is based in two locations: 3 km west of Manchester city centre, UK, in the Newton Building on the Peel Park Campus of the University of Salford, and on the banks of the Manchester Ship Canal at MediaCityUK.

History and current structure

The first acoustic laboratories were established in Salford in 1965; in the early 1970s the Department of Applied Acoustics was formed. In 1996 the University merged with University College Salford and a Department of Acoustic and Audio Engineering was formed. A couple of years later, this joined with another department to form Acoustic and Electronic Engineering. Finally, when the University greatly reduced the number of schools in the organisation, Salford Acoustics joined the School of Computing, Science and Engineering. Research work comes under the auspices of the Acoustics Research Centre.

Programmes

The Department of Applied Acoustics first taught an undergraduate degree in 1975, namely the BSc in Electroacoustics. This was later renamed Beng Acoustics. In 1993, Salford Acoustics set up the BEng in Audio Technology. These two undergraduate degrees are now taught under a single banner, BEng Audio Acoustics, with two pathways to represent the different interests of the cohort. Salford acoustics has also taught masters in acoustic engineering and audio for many decades, currently offering an MSc in Audio Acoustics and an MSc in Environmental Acoustics. The Acoustics Research Centre offers masters and doctoral research degrees.

Research

Rating

The Acoustics Research Centre achieved the top research rating of 6* in RAE 2001 as part of the Research Institute for the Built and Human Environment's submission to Unit Of Assment 30, Architecture and the Built Environment. In 2008, the RAE submission including the Acoustics Research Centre finished top of Research Fortnight’s ‘Research Power’ table for Architecture & the Built Environment. 90% of the research was graded at international standard and 25% at world-leading.

Sub-disciplines

Research is carried out in the following sub-disciplines of acoustic engineering and science
Examples of public engagement work include:
Most of Salford's Acoustics and Audio Laboratories are based on the Peel Park campus, but some are at MediaCityUK:
Salford Acoustics is a calibration and test house for construction, government, military, audio R&D and the motor industry.

Current Staff

Awards

PersonAwardYear
Prof Jamie AngusAudio Engineering Society Silver Medal2019
Dr Jon HargreavesInstitute of Acoustics Tyndall Medal2016
Professor Yiu Wai LamInstitute of Acoustics Rayleigh Medal2012
Dr James WoodcockIMechE Railway Division: Best Young Researcher2012
Dr Olga UmnovaInstitute of Acoustics Tyndall Medal2010
Trevor CoxInstitute of Acoustics Promoting Acoustics to the Public2009
Prof Jamie AngusInstitute of Acoustics Peter Barnett Award2004
Trevor CoxInstitute of Acoustics Tyndall Medal2004
Dr Francis LiInstitute of Acoustics Peter Barnett memorial student award2003
Professor Yiu Wai LamInstitute of Acoustics Tyndall Medal2000

Notable staff

The following past members of Salford Acoustics have been President of the Institute of Acoustics:
PersonDates
Professor Peter Lord1978-80
Professor Peter Wheeler1992-94
Geoff Kerry2002-04
Dr Tony Jones2004-06
Professor Trevor Cox2010-12
Jo Webb2016-18