Rate My Professor Ian Webster

Dr. Ian Webster serves as Adjunct Professor of Practice in the School of Engineering, College of Engineering, Science and Environment, at the University of Newcastle. A University of Newcastle alumnus, he holds multiple degrees from the institution, including a PhD in Electrical, Electronics, and Communications Engineering completed in 1990. His academic career began as a lecturer and researcher in the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, where he spent 20 years contributing to advancements in electrical engineering technologies, such as designing and developing adaptive antenna array processors. Transitioning to industry, Webster has dedicated another 20 years at Ampcontrol as Group Engineering Manager, leading innovation in electrical engineering solutions for hazardous environments and underground mining. He is a chartered professional engineer with designations CPEng FIEAust EngExec RPEQ FSEng and has held numerous leadership roles in national and international engineering organizations.

Webster's expertise in electrical engineering for explosive atmospheres and mining safety has earned him significant recognition. In 2021, he was jointly awarded the M.A. Sargent Medal, Australia’s highest honour in electrical engineering from Engineers Australia, for technical innovation and sustained leadership. That year, he also received the Professional Engineer of the Year award from Engineers Australia’s Newcastle Division. Key projects under his leadership include the 2020 development of an ICU Emergency Ventilator prototype for NSW Health during the COVID-19 pandemic, one of two selected for state government pre-production. He has collaborated on initiatives like ResTech, a research partnership between the University and Ampcontrol, and maintains an impressive portfolio of published academic papers, including conference contributions on topics such as 'How blocked gas detectors change the apparent concentration of gas' (2019) and 'Reliable referencing for fixed and machine mounted gas detectors' (2019). Through his adjunct position, Webster supports professional development for engineers, bridging academia and industry to advance safety and technology in electrical engineering.