Celebrating a Milestone: James Henderson completes Queen Mary's first Engineering Doctorate (EngD)

9 September 2025

Dr Henderson's research, conducted in collaboration with Plextek and supervised by Dr Yang Hao in EECS, explores passive beamsteering at millimetre-wave frequencies using phase change materials—specifically vanadium dioxide (VO₂)—to develop compact, low-power, and cost-effective solutions for next-generation wireless and sensing systems. James’s successful viva in July 2025, with only minor corrections, reflects the high calibre of his work, which impressed international examiners from Florida and Imperial.

His achievement exemplifies the EngD programme’s mission: to empower innovation through industry-academic collaboration, offering an alternative route to doctoral training for professionals engaged in real-world R&D. Supported by EPSRC as a mobility pilot to foster diversity and inclusion at PhD level, the programme continues to open doors for future researchers and industry partners alike. James tells us more about in his work and the Engineering Doctorate in this people profile:

Can you tell us a little bit about yourself and how long you’ve worked/studied at Queen Mary?

Before starting my engineering doctorate, I had been working at an electronics design consultancy for 8 years supporting our clients on a wide range of RF systems from consumer electronics to specialist high-performance RF system designs. This provided me with good foundations for my research as well as giving me motivation for specific areas I wanted to focus my research on. I started my engineering doctorate in January 2021 and studied for four years before passing my viva and completing corrections in July 2025.

Describe your average day/week.

I very much have a work-hard play-hard lifestyle. I like to be busy but, more importantly, I like to feel like I’m making progress, whether it’s at work or carrying out my research, or whether I’m able to complete another home project; there’s always something I’m working on. That said, I tend to have a slow start in the morning whilst I consume a few cups of coffee.

Congratulations on becoming the first student to complete an Engineering Doctorate (EngD) at Queen Mary! Can you tell us about the difference between an EngD and a PhD, for you?

For me the EngD aligns more closely with my career in industry. Whilst research is naturally academic, there was always an element to my research which considered how the findings could be brought back into industry.

How did you first hear about the Data Centric Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training (DCE CDT)? What made you want to apply?

I had worked with Queen Mary on a previous industry/academia collaboration project where I met my supervisor. He later made me aware of the Data Centric Engineering Centre for Doctoral Training and suggested I apply!

How did the DCE CDT support you in your doctorate?

The dedicated Data Centric Engineering doctoral college has provided a support network tailored for people like me who are in full-time employment whilst undertaking the research. This has been invaluable in helping me manage the combined workload.

Are there any key impacts of your research that you’d like to highlight?

My research has led to the publication of many technical paper, some of which have been presented at international conferences with others in peer-reviewed journals. Now I have completed my research, I am looking at ways to exploit some of the key findings, potentially working with QMUL again to fabricate the designs.

What’s your favourite place on any of our campuses?   

Despite being a London University, there are a few quiet spots dotted around the campus, my favourite being the courtyard behind the antennas lab.

Do you have any hobbies, pastimes outside of work?

I used to enjoy gymnastics. I spent many hours each week in the gym from when I was young and only stopped because of the pandemic. Now, I enjoy taking my daughter to the gym and teaching her a few tricks!

Are there any Queen Mary activities you’d recommend staff and students getting involved with/is there any training you have done with Queen Mary or externally that you’d recommend?

I particularly enjoyed attending a Metamaterials summer school in St Andrews a few years ago. It was a good experience meeting other likeminded EngD/PhD students from different universities. The course contentment was great, as were the social events!

How would you describe the benefits of the EngD programme to future students?

For me,  as well as the technical knowledge I gained, I learnt a great deal about how to manage my own project. From managing timelines and budgets, to working with other researchers, both from Queen Mary and other universities, I feel the project management skills I gained will benefit me throughout my career.