Ben West
Senior Lecturer in Acoustics
Ben is a full-time Senior Lecturer in Sound Engineering, bringing together his expertise in acoustics and his passion for music. With a background as an Acoustic Engineer at Bentley Motors, he has experience designing vehicles with world-class sound quality alongside a deep interest in how people experience sound. At BCU, he leads acoustics modules and researches soundscapes, helping students apply their love of sound and music to real-world challenges in engineering and audio.
Biography
I am a full-time Senior Lecturer in sound engineering, leading the BSc (Hons) Sound Engineering course.
Academic expertise
My specialism is acoustics. I lead the two acoustics modules, and research in soundscapes.
Journey to BCU
I started my career as an Acoustic Engineer in the automotive industry (Bentley Motors), where I helped to design vehicles with excellent sound quality. I also play guitar and find the area of Sound Engineering an excellent way to combine my interest in science with my passion for music.
Notable projects
I am currently researching how humans experience sound in open-plan offices, and how to assess this in virtual environments such as the SoundLab®. Previously I used to make luxury cars quieter, including the Bentley Continental Convertible.
Industry connections
Employability is at the heart of our Sound Engineering course, myself and the team have many industry connections that our students benefit from during their studies. These include:
- Strategic partnership with Arup
- Industrial Mentors Forum
- Acoustics: Strong links with Arup, Atkins, Hoare Lea, Sandy Brown, Cundall, Cass Allen, and Vanguardia
- Live Sound: Collaborations with Solotech, CloudOne, and 22Live
- Audio Software and Hardware: Connections with Midas, Audient, Focusrite, and Meridian
- Recording: Partnerships with String and Tins (Lawrence Kendrick won Alumni of the Year in 2023), Grammy award winner Mike Exeter, RML, and Grosvenor Road