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Lee Margetts

Lee Margetts

Prof

 https://orcid.org/0000-0001-8239-8259

Accepting PhD Students

Personal profile

Biography

Currently recruiting Doctor of Engineering in Fusion Energy, Research Fellows & Lecturer in Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy

Professor Lee Margetts has spent his career working at the intersection of engineering, computing, and education, driven by a belief that large‑scale scientific challenges are solved not by individuals, but by communities of people who share knowledge generously and build capability together. As the UKAEA Chair of Digital Engineering for Fusion Energy and Director of the Fusion Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training , he helps prepare the next genertion of engineers who will contribute to the UK’s long‑term ambition of delivering fusion power to the grid.

Lee joined the University of Manchester after an early career in Highways, Transportation, and Materials Management, followed by postgraduate study in geotechnical and civil engineering. A growing interest in computational methods led him into High Performance Computing (HPC), where he became known for helping engineers and scientists make practical use of large‑scale simulation. His work in this area gradually expanded beyond the UK, leading to roles with NAFEMS, PRACE, and collaborations that connected UK researchers with international partners, including colleagues in the United States. He also serves as Visiting Faculty at Oak Ridge National Laboratory.

From 2020 to 2026, Lee led Manchester’s Mechanical Engineering programmes through a period of significant change. He worked with colleagues to secure IMechE accreditation, strengthen the curriculum, and rebuild international engagement at a time when many UK engineering departments were seeing the opposite trend. The doubling of overseas applications during this period reflected the collective effort of staff and students to create a welcoming and forward‑looking environment. Lee also supports student‑led initiatives such as the MancheSTAR Fusion Society, which encourages curiosity and community among aspiring engineers.

Lee is the initiator of the open‑source software ParaFEM and co-author of “Programming the Finite Element Method” (which is available in Chinese), resources that have been adopted by universities and companies around the world. He sees these contributions not as personal achievements, but as part of a wider effort to make advanced engineering tools more accessible to students, researchers, and industry.

Throughout his career, Lee has tried to champion collaboration, practical problem‑solving, and the development of people. Whether in fusion engineering, high‑performance computing, or education, his work has been shaped by a simple idea: that progress comes from helping others do their best work.

Education/Academic qualification

Master of Business Administration, International Engineering Business Management, Alliance Manchester Business School

1 Oct 2007 → 1 Jul 2011

Award Date: 1 Jul 2011

Doctor of Philosophy, Civil Engineering, The University of Manchester

1 Oct 1998 → 31 Mar 2002

Award Date: 31 Mar 2002

Master in Science, Geotechnical Engineering, The University of Manchester

1 Oct 1997 → 30 Sept 1998

Award Date: 31 Oct 1998

Bachelor of Science, Geology, University of Durham

1 Sept 1990 → 1 Jul 1994

Award Date: 1 Jul 1994

Areas of expertise

  • QA75 Electronic computers. Computer science
  • Q Science (General)
  • TJ Mechanical engineering and machinery
  • TA Engineering (General). Civil engineering (General)

Research Beacons, Institutes and Platforms

  • Aerospace Research Institute
  • Advanced materials
  • Energy
  • Digital Futures
  • Institute for Data Science and AI
  • Dalton Nuclear Institute

Expertise related to UN Sustainable Development Goals

In 2015, UN member states agreed to 17 global Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) to end poverty, protect the planet and ensure prosperity for all. This person’s work contributes towards the following SDG(s):

  1. SDG 3 - Good Health and Well-being
    SDG 3 Good Health and Well-being
  2. SDG 4 - Quality Education
    SDG 4 Quality Education
  3. SDG 7 - Affordable and Clean Energy
    SDG 7 Affordable and Clean Energy
  4. SDG 8 - Decent Work and Economic Growth
    SDG 8 Decent Work and Economic Growth
  5. SDG 9 - Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
    SDG 9 Industry, Innovation, and Infrastructure
  6. SDG 11 - Sustainable Cities and Communities
    SDG 11 Sustainable Cities and Communities
  7. SDG 12 - Responsible Consumption and Production
    SDG 12 Responsible Consumption and Production
  8. SDG 13 - Climate Action
    SDG 13 Climate Action
  9. SDG 14 - Life Below Water
    SDG 14 Life Below Water
  10. SDG 15 - Life on Land
    SDG 15 Life on Land
  11. SDG 16 - Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
    SDG 16 Peace, Justice and Strong Institutions
  12. SDG 17 - Partnerships for the Goals
    SDG 17 Partnerships for the Goals

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Collaborations and top research areas from the last five years

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View all 139 research outputs
View all 22 projects
View all 8 prizes
View all 27 activities
View all 14 press/media
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