Professor Sarah Hainsworth

Sarah Hainsworth is Graduate Dean at the University of Leicester and a Professor of Materials Engineering in the Mechanics of Materials Group in the Department of Engineering. She is also Director of the University of Leicester’s Advanced Microscopy Centre. Her research interests are in forensic engineering, materials characterization, particularly coated materials for automotive tribology, steels and other alloys for future power plant and characterization of residual and intergranular stress in materials. 

Professor Hainsworth is a member of the Forensic Research Centre at the University of Leicester.  Her forensic engineering interests lie in the areas of materials characterization, materials failure investigations, and in forensic engineering related to stabbing and dismemberment.  She was recipient of the 2008 Rosenhain Medal of the Institute of Materials Minerals and Mining, “In recognition of distinguished achievement in any branch of materials science, preference being given to candidates under the age of 40”, and the Institution of Mechanical Engineers Tribology Bronze medal in 2005.  She is a member of the Women’s Engineering Society’s Inspiring Technical Women "Hall of Fame" as a result of her impact in her field.

Sarah has given invited talks to the Forensic Science Services, the British Association of Forensic Medicine and schools on her research in forensic engineering.  She has appeared on BBC Radio 4, “The Material World” and has authored an article for Ingenia, the Royal Academy of Engineering’s flagship quarterly magazine.  Her work has been highlighted in the Guardian, the Economist, on BBC Radio Leicester, Leicester Sound and Austrian FM4 radio.  She has recently contributed to a programme on the dangers of glass bottles as weapons for the BBC Scotland Investigates series.