Professor Darren Ansell
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Darren Ansell is Professor of Aerospace Engineering. He leads an Aerospace and Sensing research team who specialise in design, development, and test of drone technology applications. Darren is leading research in the use of drones for humanitarian de-mining, and agricultural applications. He has been active in drone-related research since 2002 in both industry and academia. He is a fellow of the Higher Education Academy, holds a PhD in Evolutionary Computing and PGCerts in Teaching and Learning, and Management.
Darren’s research interests include drone technology development, autonomous and intelligent systems, airspace integration with specialisms in mission systems development. Darren won a £1.1M equipment grant to support drone businesses in 2021.
Darren won and lead the 2021 £1.3M ERDF project ‘Lancashire Innovation Drone Zone’ supporting over 40 SMEs to develop new drones and drone related products within Lancashire. He partnered in regional and European projects to promote drone uptake for regional growth.
Darren also leads a key research project investigating airborne sensing for the detection of buried landmines and unexploded ordinance, conducting trials of new technology with international partners, and innovative drone technology for the agricultural sector. Darren collaborates with NASA Marshall on Sounding Rocket projects, focused on gathering solar imagery, with three successful projects completed.
Darren Ansell has been with us at the University of Central Lancashire since September 2012. He has previously been course leader for Aerospace Engineering courses, Academic Lead for Aerospace Engineering and became a professor in 2018.
He previously worked in industry at BAE Systems in research management and research and development roles, specialising in Mission Systems and Autonomy. At BAE Systems, he was an executive engineering lead for the £32M ASTRAEA programme which developed UAV technology to support the integration of unmanned platforms into UK airspace, where he led the development of 'Sense and Avoid' collision avoidance technology, autonomy and decision-making software and image processing research.
- Aerospace and Sensing Group Leader
- A2 Certificate of Competency (drone piloting qualification), 2022, UAVHub
- PGCert in Higher Education and Learning, 2019 (UCLan)
- PGCert in Management, 2009 (Lancaster University)
- PhD Antenna Optimisation Using Evolutionary Optimisation, 2005 (Cranfield University)
- Electrical and Electronic Engineering B.Eng Hons, 1997 (UMIST)
- UAV technology and application
- Use of drones for humanitarian de-mining and detection of unexploded ordinance
- Agricultural use of drones
- Collaborative aerial and ground robotics
- UAV Airspace Integration
- Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
- Gained Chartership (CEng) status with the Institution of Engineering and Technology in 2004
Use the links below to view their profiles:
- InETI – Institute for Engineering, Technology and Innovation
- Landmine Detection Using Drones
- Use of Drones and AI on Farm
- Use of Drones for Vehicle Tracking
Telephone:+44 (0) 1772 895304
Email: Email:Professor Darren Ansell
Use the links below to view their profiles: