Laura O'Keefe

Experience

• 

  Manchester Royal Eye Hospital - NHS

  May 2009 - Apr 2011

  Research Administrator (Trial Co-ordinator)

  I was part of a team within the Research Office. I co-ordinated certain clinical trials, helped maintained records and did a number of administrative duties. I supported the lead project co-ordinator with the larger trials, helped maintain various databases and organised patient visits.

• 

  The University of Manchester

  Apr 2011 - Jun 2019

  The Supergen Bioenergy Hub aims to bring together industry, academia and other stakeholders to focus on the research and knowledge challenges associated with increasing the contribution of UK bioenergy to meet strategic environmental targets in a coherent, sustainable and cost-effective manner. The Hub is funded by a grant from the Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) as part of the RCUK Energy programme. The main objectives of the hub were to:-Act as a focal point for sharing and dissemination of scientific knowledge and engineering understanding to facilitate near-term deployment of technologies-Investigate and develop new approaches for dealing with the very significant engineering challenges associated with deployment of more novel technologies-Improve scientific understanding of the fundamental aspects of different forms of biomass and its conversion-Take a whole-systems perspective to comprehensively evaluate the potential of future technology options-Adopt an interdisciplinary approach to look beyond the engineering and technical aspects of bioenergy and ensure adequate consideration of the impacts on ecosystems, social responses to technology deployment and the economic context of policy development Show less Project title: Sustainability, public acceptability and responses to the use of land producing energy crops.Main aim: By collaborating with the Tyndall Centre for Climate Research, University of Manchester, the Co-op will have access to the expertise of the academics and gain a better understanding of a relatively unknown subject - public perceptions of the use of land for energy crops. The future of bioenergy depends not only on the technology but also on the social, economic and political landscape within which people decide to use or avoid these new energy sources. Increased understanding of the acceptance and public perceptions of using arable land for energy crops has to be an integral part of any large scale introduction of bioenergy. There is currently a lack of research into public understanding of using arable land for energy crops. Results from a literature review and in-depth interviews would be used to develop further longer term collaborations with the Co-op, scoping the future research focus for in-depth public perception work.This month long project was funded by Environmental Sustainability Knowledge Exchange Hub, University of Manchester Show less Project title: Fostering Interdisciplinary Research building upon synergies in Water-Food-Energy (FIRE Water-Food-Energy Project)Main aims: To build momentum around the water@manchester, food@manchester and energy@manchester communities towards developing interdisciplinary research proposals.Running, organising and facilitating workshops that aim to improve networks among academics. Identify research-proposal key calls and effective cross-School/Faculty working practices.Stimulate inter-school and inter-faculty collaborations, networks and structures in water-food related areas at all levels, including post-graduate and post-doctoral.Provide direct and indirect support as appropriate for the development and submission of selected interdisciplinary research proposals. Show less Project title: Dense Phase CO2 Pipeline Transportation (COOLTRANS) consortium projectAim: to assess the social impacts of CO2 transport in pipelines and the public perceptions of transporting CO2 in pipelines and then develop strategies to mitigate potential impacts. The results feed into a broader project carrying out engineering and environmental science analysis of CO2 transport in pipelines.Our work was split into two sections – the first looking at experiences from existing and planned pipeline developments – which focused on a selection of case studies looking at how the consolation process was managed, public response to the pipeline developments and the strategies adopted in the context of this response. The second section assessed the public perception of CO2 in pipelines by undertaking focus groups in two different locations along a proposed pipeline. Show less Project title: Climate Change Mitigation and Adaptation in the UK Food SystemAim:The overall aim of the project was to develop a suite of scenarios relevant to consumption articulating pathways to alternative futures from both an adaptation and mitigation perspective.I was part of the SCI’s multidisciplinary team, my work package involved engaging with industry and agricultural stakeholders through a series of three workshops. In addition, a total of 6 consumer focus groups were conducted in order to understand how they may respond to and perceive proposed sustainable ‘solutions’ identified within the scenarios. Show less

  • Business Engagement Officer - FSE

    Aug 2018 - Jun 2019

  • Project Manager - EPSRC Supergen Bioenergy Hub

    Jan 2014 - Jul 2018

  • Research Associate

    Nov 2013 - Dec 2013

  • Research Associate

    Oct 2013 - Oct 2013

  • Project Manager/RA (Food, Water and Energy)

    Apr 2013 - Sept 2013

  • Research Associate

    Apr 2012 - Mar 2013

  • Research Associate

    Apr 2011 - Mar 2012
• 

  Dave and Nines Photography

  May 2012 - Nov 2018

  Co-owner

  Dave and Nines Photography (Formerly Chorlton Wedding Photography) is run by husband and wife team covering Greater Manchester and Derbyshire. Check out our website for more details: www.daveandnines.com

• 

  The University of Sheffield

  Jun 2019 - now

  EPSRC Future Electrical Machines Manufacturing Hub Manager

  I'm manager of the £28 million Engineering and Physical Sciences Research Council (EPSRC) Future Electrical Machines Manufacturing Hub which is the first of its kind to bring together leading research expertise in electrical machines and manufacturing. Researchers will work closely with industry to address key manufacturing challenges in the production of high integrity and high value electrical machines.More information can be found on our website: https://electricalmachineshub.ac.uk/