Charlie McCartan is a Reader (Education) in the School of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering at Queen's University Belfast.  His teaching interests focus on Mechanical Engineering, Automotive Engineering, and Product Design Engineering. His approach to learning is mainly based on the CDIO principles. He has extensive experience in active and collaborative learning, project and problem based learning, and authentic learning experiences.

Before joining the school as a member of academic staff in 2005, Charlie worked as a post-doc in the School for 5 years and also worked in industry for 5 years: FG Wilson (1997-2000); Optimum Power Technology (2003-2005). Within these roles he worked as a senior engineer, team-leader, technical specialist and technical manager. He has also worked with around 70 companies worldwide as a consultant engineer since 1995, mainly in the areas of internal combustion engine modelling and simulation.

Charlie’ s research background is in the area of automotive engineering, with a particular specialism in internal combustion engine modelling and simulation – specifically thermodynamic and dynamic analyses.

• MEE2006 Dynamics 2
• MEE2026 Design & Prototyping Projects
• MEE4004 Engineering Dynamics 4
• MEE3060 Design Project 3M
• MEE3030 Project
• MEE4040 Project
• MEE7012 Project

Administrative Responsibilities 

• Director of Education (Postgraduate-Taught Studies) (2022-2025)
• Programme Director for Product Design Engineering (2017-2022)
• University Coordinator Foundation Degree in Mechanical Engineering (2015-2022)
• Chair of the School Exceptional Circumstances Committee (SECC) (2017-2022)
• Chair of the Staff Student Consultative Committee (2012-2014)
• Advisor of Studies (2012-2015)
• Stage Coordinator (2012-2015)
• Chair of School’s Publicity & Marketing Operational Team (2012-2015)
• Chair of School’s Workshop and Labs Operational Team (2012-2015)
• Member and Chair of School’s Leadership Employability & Placements Team (2017-2022)
• Member of School's SWAN Team (2017-present)
• Member of School’s Environmental Operational Team (2014-2015)
• Member of School’s Recruitment Operational Team (2012-2015)

Engineering education scholarship interests:

• Active and interactive learning
• Transition to university
• Project & problem-based learning
• Curriculum Quality Assurance
• Curriculum Agility
• Implementing CDIO

Research interests:

• IC Engine performance simulation
• Valvetrain modelling and simulaton
• Cranktrain modelling and simulaton