Dr Paul Folan BEng MEngSc PhD FHEA PCAP
Senior Lecturer, MLA College
Paul joined the MLA team in August 2022 to take up a role as senior academician, having worked in a range of previous university roles related to manufacturing and mechanical engineering, with an especial focus on engineering management. His first degree was in the field of industrial engineering from National University of Ireland Galway, which he completed with first class honours. He then progressed to complete his MEngSc and PhD at the same institution, and it was in these studies that Paul developed his research background and expertise in performance management and measurement, supply chain management, and product lifecycle management, with participation in a range of EU 5th and 6th framework projects.
Paul has worked as a lecturer in engineering and management at the University of Exeter, before being appointed as senior lecturer in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at the University of Chester. He subsequently led the Mechanical Engineering department for that faculty as its head since 2017; before making the leap to the Centre for Professional & Economic Development at Chester, with its focus on enabling professionals to study part-time as apprentices to deliver high-value occupational impact.
Paul’s career background has enabled him to lecture on a wide range of topics including manufacturing systems, engineering science and management, engineering design, supply chain management, lean manufacturing, operations research and simulation. Throughout his career he has also supported a whole range of students with their research projects, and always aims to encourage them to think in creative ways about how to develop valid research questions and use suitable research methods to bring their research to fruition. He looks forward to doing the same at MLA!
