Karen Holford

Dame Karen Holford
Born
Karen Margaret Holford

1962 (age 63–64)
EducationNewent Comprehensive School
Alma materUniversity of Wales Institute of Science and Technology (BEng)
University College, Cardiff (PhD)
Board member ofScience and Technology Facilities Council
Midlands Innovation
AwardsSuffrage Science award (2019)
Scientific career
FieldsMechanical engineering
Acoustic emission
InstitutionsCranfield University
Rolls-Royce Holdings
Cardiff University
ThesisThe nondestructive testing of wire ropes by acoustic emission (1987)
Vice-chancellor of Cranfield University
Assumed office
2021
Preceded byPeter Gregson
Deputy Vice-chancellor of Cardiff University
In office
2017–2021
Vice-chancellorColin Riordan
Preceded byElizabeth Treasure
Succeeded byDamian Walford Davies
Websitewww.cranfield.ac.uk/about/senior-team/professor-karen-holford

Dame Karen Margaret Holford (born 1962) is a Welsh-domiciled engineer, professor of mechanical engineering and vice-chancellor and chief executive of Cranfield University. She was formerly deputy vice-chancellor at Cardiff University. She is also a former pro vice-chancellor of the College of Physical Sciences and Engineering and head of the School of Engineering. She is an active researcher of acoustic emission and her work has been applied to damage assessment inspections on industrial components.