Laurent Galbrun

WORK HISTORY

EDUCATION

ABOUT LAURENT GALBRUN

Assistant Professor in Acoustics and Programme Director for the Graduate Apprenticeship in Civil Engineering at Heriot-Watt University (UK). My expertise covers the fields of building acoustics, environmental noise and soundscapes, as well as scholarship aimed at educational enhancement.An engineer, I am experienced both in theoretical modelling and in carrying out experimental work, as well as in carrying out standardised measurements for consultancies. My research initially focused on sound transmission through buildings and statistical energy analysis modelling, as well as hospital noise. Following that, I have been mainly carrying out soundscape research, an approach which relies on both physical characteristics and mental perception of the aural environment. My work on soundscapes has largely focused on the acoustical design of water features and their use for road traffic noise masking, as well as office noise masking. I also have expertise in speech intelligibility within indoor spaces, with research that has focused on the particular issue of cross-cultural communication. Other research work includes the acoustical properties of green roofs. My current research focuses on the the acoustical accessibility and inclusivity of spaces for neurodivergent people.My scholarship work includes publications on topics such as ‘Role requirements in academic recruitment for construction and engineering’, ‘Diversity and inclusion in UK Higher Education’, ‘Construction and Engineering Higher Education’, ‘UK Built Environment postgraduate programme provision’, and ‘Community resilience education’.I have 64 publications to date (h-index of 14), and I am the recipient of the following awards: 1. Association of Noise Consultants Prize 2002; 2. Spirit of Heriot-Watt ‘Pursuing Excellence’ Award 2013; 3. Heriot-Watt ‘Graduates Teaching Award’ 2013 and 2017; 4. Shortlisted for a Heriot-Watt Learning and Teaching ‘Switched On’ Award in 2016 and 2017; 5. Key Scientific Article selected by Advances in Engineering in 2017.