Dr Keith Johnston
Senior Lecturer
Mechanical and Industrial Engineering, School of Science and Engineering
Contact
Biography
Dr Keith Johnston is a Senior Lecturer in Mechanical Engineering whose work spans academic leadership, international partnership development, and innovation in engineering education. A long‑standing member of the University of Dundee community, he has progressed from undergraduate student to senior academic, contributing to the School’s teaching excellence, global engagement, and strategic growth.
Academic leadership and strategic roles
Dr Johnston has held a series of influential leadership roles within the School of Science and Engineering. Since 2021, he has served as Director of Partnerships, where he is responsible for developing new articulation agreements and diversifying the School’s portfolio of international collaborations. His work strengthens Dundee’s global presence and expands opportunities for transnational education.
He played a key role in establishing the Dundee International Institute with Central South University and continues to serve as the programme lead for Mechanical Engineering within this partnership. Since 2019, he has also been the Programme Lead for the undergraduate Mechanical Engineering (with Renewables) degree, overseeing curriculum development, accreditation, academic standards, and the student learning experience.
Research
Dr Johnston’s research centres on the physics, control, and application of acoustic cavitation within medical ultrasound. His PhD, entitled “The cavitation subharmonic signal: mechanistic source and optimised detection”, investigated the fundamental behaviour of cavitation and the optimisation of detection strategies. During his doctoral work, he developed bespoke experimental platforms that combined high‑speed imaging, laser‑based nucleation techniques, and precision acoustic measurement systems to study cavitation dynamics in detail.
His current research focuses on therapeutic ultrasound, particularly the use of High Intensity Focused Ultrasound (HIFU) and the controlled initiation of acoustic cavitation for clinical applications. This work involves the design and fabrication of piezoelectric transducers, hydrophones for passive cavitation detection, and cavitation nucleation devices. CAD‑based design, numerical simulation, and modelling of acoustic fields form an integral part of this development process, enabling the optimisation of device performance and experimental configurations.
Dr Johnston is a member of both the Biomedical Imaging and Technology Research Group and the Materials Science and Engineering Research Group, reflecting the interdisciplinary nature of his work across acoustics, materials, and biomedical engineering.
Teaching
Dr Johnston has taught extensively across the Mechanical and Biomedical Engineering programmes at both undergraduate and postgraduate levels. His teaching experience covers a broad range of subjects, including Medical Ultrasound Systems, Biomechanics and Biomaterials, Solid Mechanics and Materials, and Advanced Medical and Surgical Technologies. He has also contributed to the University’s strategic Joint Education Programme with Northeastern University, supporting high‑quality transnational delivery.
His current teaching includes lectures, laboratory classes, and practical sessions across several core modules:
- EG12007 – Engineering Project II
- ME21001 – Software Applications for Engineering Design
- EG22010 – Fundamentals of Solid Mechanics
- ME32002 – Engineering Design II
This teaching portfolio reflects his commitment to applied, project‑based learning and to integrating digital tools, design practice, and engineering fundamentals throughout the curriculum.
Contributions to innovation, engagement, and student experience
Dr Johnston’s career reflects a strong commitment to digital innovation, student engagement, and interdisciplinary teaching. His previous roles include Digital Champion for Mechanical Engineering, Faculty Advisor for the Formula Student team, Public Engagement Lead for Mechanical Engineering, and Programme Lead for the MSc in Design for Healthcare and Assistive Technologies. These positions highlight his dedication to enhancing digital learning, supporting experiential engineering projects, and promoting STEM engagement with wider communities.
His teaching and scholarship span mechanical and biomedical engineering, with a particular focus on applied learning, interdisciplinary practice, and global collaboration.
Academic background
Dr Johnston holds a PhD in Engineering, a Postgraduate Certificate in Academic Practice, and a First‑Class Honours degree in Mechanical Engineering, all from the University of Dundee. His doctoral research examined the mechanistic origins and detection optimisation of cavitation subharmonic signals, while his undergraduate thesis explored sensor technologies in sports engineering. He is also an Associate Fellow of the Higher Education Academy.
Awards and recognition
Institutional and professional honours
- 2023 – Institutional Award for Excellence in Academic Degree Delivery (Mechanical Engineering Programme Accreditation) – IMechE
- 2021 – Stephen Fry Public Engagement Award (Commendation: Most Engaged Researcher) – University of Dundee
- 2018 – Dundee University Engineering Society Teaching Award: “Going above and beyond to help students within the School” – University of Dundee
Finalist and shortlisted distinctions
- 2020 – SSEN Learning & Teaching Awards (Finalist: Enhancement of the Student Experience – Non‑Teaching) – University of Dundee
- 2019 – SSEN Learning & Teaching Awards (Finalist: Innovation in Teaching) – University of Dundee
- 2018 – DUSA Student‑Led Teaching Awards (Finalist: Best Advisor or Personal Tutor) – DUSA
Research and early‑career awards
- 2015 – Best Student Poster Prize for “Cavitation Detector Optimisation using PZFlex” – PZFlex User Meeting
- 2014 – Student Paper Competition Award for “Non‑linear cavitation cloud oscillations in High Intensity Focused Ultrasound” – IEEE IUS
- 2013 – Best Student Poster Prize for “Cavitation – cloud manipulation in dual frequency focused ultrasound” – National Physical Laboratory
Stories
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- News
Celebrating excellence in mechanical engineering at the University of Dundee
The University of Dundee is proud to announce that our Mechanical Engineering undergraduate course have been recognised at a national level by the Institution of Mechanical Engineers (IMechE)
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- Press release
University of Dundee launches new partnership with Central South University, China
The University of Dundee, with its partner Central South University (CSU), is proud to announce the launch of a new joint education institute in China, called the Dundee International Institute of Central South University (DIICSU).
