Rate My Professor Alan Roberts

Emeritus Professor Alan Roberts AM, in the Faculty of Engineering at the University of Newcastle, Australia, earned a Bachelor of Engineering with First Class Honours in Mechanical Engineering from the University of New South Wales in 1955 and a PhD in 1962. He began his academic career as a lecturer in Mechanical Engineering at Wollongong University College in 1958. In 1974, he joined the University of Newcastle as Professor of Industrial Engineering, was appointed Head of the Department of Mechanical Engineering for 11 years, and elected Dean of the Faculty of Engineering, serving until his retirement in 1993 after 19.5 years. He also directed the School of Engineering and Architecture for seven years and served on approximately 25 university committees. Roberts founded TUNRA Bulk Solids Handling Research Associates in 1975, serving as director for over 35 years; the organization has completed around 5,000 projects for clients in Australia and over 40 countries. He taught sabbatical courses at Cornell University, the University of Washington, and the University of Twente, and presented guest lectures at Delft University of Technology, University of Braunschweig, UMIST, and Telemark Institute of Technology. He pioneered the university's first Women in Engineering program and established an industry liaison committee.

Roberts specializes in bulk solids handling technology, with over 50 years of research on characterization of bulk solids flow properties, flow patterns in bins and silos, loads on structures, feeder and hopper interfacing, belt and screw conveyor performance, transfer chutes, dust control, and wear in handling equipment. His key publications include books such as 'Fundamental Principles of Storage Bin and Discharge Systems for Bulk Solids Handling' (1986), 'Degradation and Wear in Bulk Solids Handling Operations' (1994), and 'Flow of Solids in Bins – Fundamentals of Bin Design' (1982), alongside 13 book chapters and over 600 research papers. Awards include Member of the Order of Australia (1992), Peter Nicol Russell Memorial Medal (2010), Lifetime Achievement Award from the British Materials Handling Board (2006), Centenary Medal (2003), Fellow of the Australian Academy of Technological Sciences and Engineering (1989), and Convocation Medal for Exceptional Contribution (2021). His contributions have positioned the University of Newcastle as a world-leading centre in bulk solids handling, supporting student scholarships and industry partnerships.