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Since October 2017 I have been Head of Education in the Faculty of Science and Engineering at Manchester Metropolitan University and Reader in Engineering Project Management.
Prior to this I was a Senior Lecturer in the School of Mechanical, Aerospace and Civil Engineering at The University of Manchester. I have a PhD from The University of Manchester, am a Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy (SFHEA) and a Chartered Engineer (MIET). I also have an MBA with Distinction from Lancaster University Management School and completed my undergraduate studies in Applied Physics and Electronics a long time ago at the University of Durham.
My research interests are in the management of project uncertainty, especially in safety-critical environments such as civil nuclear, aerospace and oil and gas industries. I continue to work closely with a number of project management organisations in the engineering and nuclear sectors.
My pedagogic research is centred on technology enhanced teaching and learning, both in large class and blended learning environments. I am recognised as an excellent university teacher and have innovated extensively in my UG and PG teaching including implementing wikis for assessment, core concept videos and other rich media materials. I am currently leading a University of Manchester cross-school research project into the impact on staff of transitioning PGT units from face-to-face to Distance Learning delivery mode. I have published in a number of pedagogic journals and have organised, co-chaired and delivered a range of seminars, workshops and conference streams both in Manchester and nationally in these areas. I have also been the Academic lead for eLearning and Head of the Management of Projects Teaching Group in the School.
Prior to becoming an academic in 2008, I enjoyed a successful 15 year career in manufacturing management, project management and consultancy at The University of Manchester Innovation Group (UMI3), PA Consulting Group and the Autobar Group of Companies.
Enthusiasm is the real secret of success
" Enthusiasm is the sparkle in your eye, the swing in your gait, the grip of your hand, the irresistible surge of your will and your energy to execute your ideas. Enthusiasts are fighters. They have fortitude, they have staying qualities. Enthusiasm is at the bottom of all progress. With it there is accomplishment. Without it there are only alibis". Walter Chrysler (1875-1940)
Academic Qualifications
PhD in the Management of Projects, The University of Manchester
Master of Business Administration (Distinction), Lancaster University Management School
Institute of Linguists Diploma in German
Bachelor of Science (Hons) Class 2(i) in Applied Physics and Electronics, University of Durham
Professional Qualifications
2017 Senior Fellow of the Higher Education Academy
1997 CEng Chartered Engineer
1997 MIET Member of the Institute of Engineering and Technology
2008-2017 Senior Lecturer in Engineering Project Management, The University of Manchester
2001-2007 Technology Commercialisation Project Manager, The University of Manchester Intellectual Property Limited.
1998-2001 Principal Consultant in Programme and Project Management, PA Consulting Group, London, Manchester and Frankfurt.
1992-1998 Graduate Management Trainee, Engineering Manager then Project Manager, Autobar Group of Companies, Durham, UK.
My research interests are in the management of project uncertainty, especially in safety-critical environments such as civil nuclear, aerospace and oil and gas industries. I continue to work closely with a number of project management organisations in the engineering and nuclear sectors.
My pedagogic research is centred on technology enhanced teaching and learning, both in large class and blended learning environments.
FC. Saunders (2012). Project Finance Casebook.
M. Gillie, R. Dahli, FC. Saunders, A. Gibson (2017). Use of rich-media resources by engineering undergraduates. European Journal of Engineering Education. 42(6), pp.1496-1511.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale, AH. Sherry (2016). Responding to project uncertainty: Evidence for high reliability practices in large-scale safety–critical projects. International Journal of Project Management. 34(7), pp.1252-1265.
FC. Saunders, AH. Sherry, AW. Gale (2016). Dualities and dilemmas: contending with uncertainty in large-scale safety-critical projects. Construction Management and Economics. 34(9), pp.657-675.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale, AH. Sherry (2016). Mapping the multi-faceted: Determinants of uncertainty in safety-critical projects. International Journal of Project Management. 34(6), pp.1057-1070.
FC. Saunders, I. Hutt (2015). Enhancing large-class teaching: a systematic comparison of rich-media materials. Higher Education Research & Development. 34(6), pp.1233-1250.
FC. Saunders (2015). Toward High Reliability Project Organizing in Safety-Critical Projects. Project Management Journal. 46(3), pp.25-35.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale, AH. Sherry (2015). Conceptualising uncertainty in safety-critical projects: A practitioner perspective. International Journal of Project Management. 33(2), pp.467-478.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale (2012). Digital or didactic: Using learning technology to confront the challenge of large cohort teaching. British Journal of Educational Technology. 43(6), pp.847-858.
M. Gillie, R. Dahli, FC. Saunders, A. Gibson (2016). How engineering undergraduates use rich-media resources. 6th International Symposium for Engineering Education, Sheffield, July 2016. Sheffield, 13/7/2016.
FC. Saunders (2015). Illuminating the unknown: mapping project uncertainty in civil nuclear infrastructure. Edinburgh, 24/6/2015.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale, AH. Sherry (2015). Mapping the multifaceted: identifying the determinants of uncertainty in safety-critical projects. Warsaw, 17/6/2015.
G. Rubner, FC. Saunders (2014). Student perspectives on formative feedback: An exploratory comparative study. Manchester, 11/9/2014.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale (2013). Confronting uncertainty: perceptions and practices of project managers in safety-critical industries. Dublin, 7/6/2013.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale (2013). Understanding project uncertainty in safety-critical industries. Istanbul, 22/4/2013.
FC. Saunders, I. Hutt (2012). Richness, responsiveness and relationship: Using rich media materials to enhance the teaching of core concepts. In: EE 2012 - International Conference on Innovation, Practice and Research in Engineering Education, Conference Proceedings. Coventry University, 18/9/2012.
FC. Saunders, AW. Gale (2010). Using Web 2.0 in Large Cohort Project Management Education. Washington DC, 11/7/2010.
F. Saunders, M. Jasper, P. Whitton (2010). Promoting collaborative learning in engineering management education through the use of wikis. In: Engineering Education 2010: Inspiring the Next Generation of Engineers, EE 2010. Aston University, Birmingham, 6/7/2010. pp.6-8.