Academic biography

Professor Joseph Stokes is a distinguished Professor in Surface Engineering at Dublin City University's School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering. With a notable tenure as DCU's Dean of Graduate Studies from 2017 to 2024, he played a pivotal role in shaping the strategy, policy, and support for graduate research and students. During this period, he effectively led the Graduate Studies Office, chaired the Graduate Research Studies Board, and contributed significantly to both Ireland’s National Framework for Doctoral Education (NFDE), Irish Universities Association and the European Universities Association Council for Doctoral Education.

Prior to this, Professor Stokes served as the Head of the School of Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering at DCU from 2012 to 2017, where he oversaw various academic and administrative advancements. He holds a BA and BAI in Mechanical and Manufacturing Engineering from Trinity College Dublin, earned in 1997, and a PhD from DCU, completed in 2002. His early career included part-time lecturing at TU Dublin from 1998 to 2000 before he joined DCU as a full-time academic in 2000.

Since 1997, Professor Stokes has been a leading figure in surface engineering research, with a specialisation in Thermal Spray technology, such as the HVOF (High Velocity Oxy-Fuel) process, Atmospheric Plasma Spray, and Flame Thermal Spray. His research focuses on the development of coated and free-standing engineering components designed to reduce wear/corrosion, create bio-coatings for hip implants (eg Plasma Thermal Spray Hydroxyapatite coatings), and produce protective coatings for the oil and gas industry (eg HVOF Thermal Spray WC-Co, Nickel - Chromium etc coatings), as well as bio-energy applications, in the production of biogas, bio-oil etc. from biomass. He is actively involved with the Future Applied Science and Technology Institute, contributing to cutting-edge advancements in these fields.