Staff profile
Dr Peter Swift, MSc PhD MInstP
(email at g.p.swift@durham.ac.uk)
Biography
Peter graduated with first class honours in Maths and Physics from Durham University. He then undertook a PhD under the supervision of Prof. Martyn Chamberlain and sponsored by HMGCC in the terahertz group at Durham, which he completed in 2008. Since then he has worked for a University spin-out, Durham Photonics Ltd, where he developed terahertz instrumentation, and as a Post-Doc on the ROBUST project (Regeneration Of Brownfield Using Sustainable Technology), investigating the applicability of terahertz radiation as a sensor for organic molecules. In October 2011, Peter was appointed as a part-time Teaching Fellow in the Department of Physics, which he combines with his research post in The School of Engineering and Computing Sciences.
Department Responsibilities
Teaching Activity
I currently lecture the Level 2 course, Thermodyanmics and Statistical Physics, which forms part of the module Foundations of Physics 2b. This involves determining the course material from the syllabus, giving lectures and producing associated materials, providing weekly problems with solutions, and setting and marking examinations. I demonstrate in Level 1 laboratories and tutor two Level 1 groups.
Outreach
I am involved in various outreach activites. These include organising the Supported Progression Day for Year 12 (Lower Sixthform) pupils over the School Easter Holidays and organising The School of Engineering's contribution to the Durham Schools' Science Festival, a three-day event for pupils in Years 8 - 10, held in late March
Research Interests
I am interested in the application of terahertz radiation to a variety of engineering and biological applications. These include the detection of organic chemicals and the use of artifical materials to manipulate and focus THz radiation.