Dr Kieran Wood is an expert in Unmanned Aerial Systems (‘drones’), with extensive hands-on experience collecting scientific data in some of the world’s most challenging environments. His work has taken him deep into the equatorial jungles of Papua New Guinea, the contaminated exclusion zones of Chornobyl, and the frozen sub-Antarctic islands of South Sandwich.
As a full-time academic at the University of Manchester, Kieran splits his time between educating aerospace engineering students and leading innovative research projects. He specialises in adapting scientific sensors for aerial deployment and using drones to gather data from locations that are otherwise difficult—or impossible—to access. This data drives new scientific understanding and innovation, advancing how we explore and monitor complex environmental systems.
His work has been featured in National Geographic Explorer and BBC documentaries, showcasing the impact of his research beyond academia. Outside of his professional pursuits, Kieran is a qualified Mountain Leader who spends his free time climbing, hiking, trail running, or camping in the mountains.
