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https://webcdn.mmu.ac.uk/profiles/img/profile-images/Professor-Stephen-Decent-MMU-crop-145x145-5df24a6ddc988.jpg
I am the University's Provost and Deputy Vice-Chancellor. As such, I am responsible for the planning and distribution of academic resources within the University, working closely with the Vice-Chancellor on strategy and delivery. I also represent the University regionally, nationally and internationally.
Additionally, I am a Professor of Applied Mathematics, working in fluid mechanics.
I chair the UUK-Jisc national strategy group that governs negotiations with publishers on behalf of the UK's Higher Education sector.
I completed my BSc in Mathematics in 1992 at Brunel University and a PhD at the University of St Andrews in 1995. I moved to the University of Birmingham in 1995 as a Research Fellow, becoming a Lecturer there in the following year. I became Professor of Applied Mathematics at the University of Birmingham in 2006. In 2009, I became Head of School of Mathematics, and I later took on the additional role of Director of Research and Knowledge Transfer in the College of Engineering and Physical Sciences.
In 2012, I moved to the University of Dundee to become Vice-Principal and Head of College of the College of Art, Science and Engineering. I was Director of the Northern Research Partnership, an engineering research pool in Scotland. I also chaired the board of Scotland's newly created Offshore Renewables Institute.
In 2014, I moved to Lancaster University as Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Research and Enterprise) and later Pro-Vice-Chancellor (Academic Development). I was also Chair of the Strategic Executive Group of the N8, a research partnership between eight Northern universities.
My research interests cover a range of multi-disciplinary interactions, especially with chemical engineering. I am also a Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications.
PhD (University of St Andrews, 1995)
BSc (Brunel University, 1992)
Pro-Vice-Chancellor, Lancaster University (2014-2019)
Head of College of Art, Science and Engineering, University of Dundee (2012-2014)
School of Mathematics, University of Birmingham (1995-2012)
Fluid Mechanics (free surface flows, chemically reacting flows)
Asymptotic methods
Computational methods
MF. Afzaal, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, AM. Alsharif (2015). Effects of gravity on the breakup and instability of a viscous compound jet. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 48(34), pp.345501-345501.
M. Mohsin, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MF. Afzaal (2013). Temporal instability analysis of inviscid compound jets falling under gravity. Physics of Fluids. 25(1),
M. Mohsin, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2012). Break-up and droplet formation in shear thinning compound liquid jets. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 77(1), pp.97-108.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2012). Drop formation in rotating non-Newtonian jets with surfactants. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 77(1), pp.86-96.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2011). A parametric analysis of a micro-tubular, single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SC-SOFC). International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 36(1), pp.765-772.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2010). Breakup of inviscid compound liquid jets falling under gravity. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 43(48), pp.485501-485501.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2010). Cell temperature measurements in micro-tubular, single-chamber, solid oxide fuel cells (MT–SC–SOFCs). Journal of Power Sources. 195(23), pp.7818-7824.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2010). Numerical modelling of methane-powered micro-tubular, single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources. 195(23), pp.7796-7807.
CJ. Gurney, MJH. Simmons, VL. Hawkins, SP. Decent (2010). The impact of multi-frequency and forced disturbances upon drop size distributions in prilling. Chemical Engineering Science. 65(11), pp.3474-3484.
VL. Hawkins, CJ. Gurney, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons, J. Uddin (2010). Unstable waves on a curved non-Newtonian liquid jet. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 43(5), pp.055501-055501.
SP. Decent, AC. King, MJH. Simmons, EI. Părău, IM. Wallwork, et al. CJ. Gurney, J. Uddin. (2009). The trajectory and stability of a spiralling liquid jet: Viscous theory. Applied Mathematical Modelling. 33(12), pp.4283-4302.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2009). A three-dimensional numerical model of a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 34(20), pp.8645-8663.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2009). Curved Non-Newtonian Liquid Jets With Surfactants. Journal of Fluids Engineering. 131(9), pp.0912031-0912037.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2009). Structural stability of silver under single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell conditions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 34(18), pp.7807-7810.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2009). Mixed-reactant, micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells: An experimental study. Journal of Power Sources. 193(1), pp.39-48.
JO. Marston, V. Hawkins, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2009). Influence of surfactant upon air entrainment hysteresis in curtain coating. Experiments in Fluids. 46(3), pp.549-558.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). Non-linear waves along a rotating non-Newtonian liquid jet. International Journal of Engineering Science. 46(12), pp.1253-1265.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). The effect of surfactants on the instability of a rotating liquid jet. Fluid Dynamics Research. 40(11-12), pp.827-851.
JO. Marston, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). Experimental evidence of non-unique solutions to a steady non-linear coating flow. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 73(4), pp.698-702.
JO. Marston, JPK. Seville, Y-V. Cheun, A. Ingram, SP. Decent, et al. MJH. Simmons. (2008). Effect of packing fraction on granular jetting from solid sphere entry into aerated and fluidized beds. Physics of Fluids. 20(2),
JO. Marston, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent (2007). Influence of viscosity and impingement speed on intense hydrodynamic assist in curtain coating. Experiments in Fluids. 42(3), pp.483-488.
EI. Părău, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons, DCY. Wong, AC. King (2007). Nonlinear viscous liquid jets from a rotating orifice. Journal of Engineering Mathematics. 57(2), pp.159-179.
JO. MARSTON, SP. DECENT, MJH. SIMMONS (2006). Hysteresis and non-uniqueness in the speed of the onset of instability in curtain coating. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 569, pp.349-349.
JO. Marston, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent, SP. Kirk (2006). Influence of the flow field in curtain coating onto a prewet substrate. Physics of Fluids. 18(11),
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJ. Simmons (2006). The Instability of Shear Thinning and Shear Thickening Spiralling Liquid Jets: Linear Theory. Journal of Fluids Engineering. 128(5), pp.968-975.
EI. Părău, SP. Decent, AC. King, MJH. Simmons, DC. Wong (2006). Nonlinear travelling waves on a spiralling liquid jet. Wave Motion. 43(7), pp.599-618.
L. Partridge, DCY. Wong, MJH. Simmons, EI. Părău, SP. Decent (2005). Experimental and Theoretical Description of the Break-up of Curved Liquid Jets in the Prilling Process. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 83(11), pp.1267-1275.
DCY. Wong, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent, EI. Parau, AC. King (2004). Break-up dynamics and drop size distributions created from spiralling liquid jets. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 30(5), pp.499-520.
IM. WALLWORK, SP. DECENT, AC. KING, RMSM. SCHULKES (2002). The trajectory and stability of a spiralling liquid jet. Part 1. Inviscid theory. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 459, pp.43-65.
SP. Decent, AC. King, IM. Wallwork (2002). Free jets spun from a prilling tower. Journal of Engineering Mathematics. 42(3/4), pp.265-282.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1999). Sideband instability and modulations of Faraday waves. Wave Motion. 30(1), pp.43-55.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1997). On limit cycles arising from the parametric excitation of standing waves. Wave Motion. 25(3), pp.275-294.
SP. Decent (1997). The nonlinear damping of parametrically excited two-dimensional gravity waves. Fluid Dynamics Research. 19(4), pp.201-217.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1995). Hysteresis in Faraday resonance. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 293(1), pp.237-268.
AM. Alsharif, SP. Decent, EI. Parau, MJH. Simmons, J. Uddin (2018). The trajectory of slender curved liquid jets for small Rossby number. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 84(1), pp.96-117.
SP. Decent, EI. Pǎrǎu, MJH. Simmons, J. Uddin (2018). On mathematical approaches to modelling slender liquid jets with a curved trajectory. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 844, pp.905-916.
MF. Afzaal, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, AM. Alsharif (2015). Effects of gravity on the breakup and instability of a viscous compound jet. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 48(34), pp.345501-345501.
M. Mohsin, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MF. Afzaal (2013). Temporal instability analysis of inviscid compound jets falling under gravity. Physics of Fluids. 25(1),
M. Wilson, J. Brindley, M. Fairweather, A. McIntosh, G. Sharpe, et al. M. Braithwaite, S. Decent, D. Youdan. (2012). Special issue: fluid problems in process engineering. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 77(1), pp.1-1.
M. Mohsin, J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2012). Break-up and droplet formation in shear thinning compound liquid jets. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 77(1), pp.97-108.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2012). Drop formation in rotating non-Newtonian jets with surfactants. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 77(1), pp.86-96.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2011). Modeling of Co-planar Type Single-Chamber Solid Oxide Fuel Cells. Journal of Fuel Cell Science and Technology. 8(4),
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2011). A parametric analysis of a micro-tubular, single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell (MT-SC-SOFC). International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 36(1), pp.765-772.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2010). Breakup of inviscid compound liquid jets falling under gravity. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 43(48), pp.485501-485501.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2010). Cell temperature measurements in micro-tubular, single-chamber, solid oxide fuel cells (MT–SC–SOFCs). Journal of Power Sources. 195(23), pp.7818-7824.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2010). Numerical modelling of methane-powered micro-tubular, single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell. Journal of Power Sources. 195(23), pp.7796-7807.
A. Timmis, DJ. Smith, RH. Bridson, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent (2010). The use of mathematical modelling to describe fluid flow within the colon. JOURNAL OF PHARMACY AND PHARMACOLOGY. 62(10), pp.1311-1312.
CJ. Gurney, MJH. Simmons, VL. Hawkins, SP. Decent (2010). The impact of multi-frequency and forced disturbances upon drop size distributions in prilling. Chemical Engineering Science. 65(11), pp.3474-3484.
VL. Hawkins, CJ. Gurney, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons, J. Uddin (2010). Unstable waves on a curved non-Newtonian liquid jet. Journal of Physics A: Mathematical and Theoretical. 43(5), pp.055501-055501.
SP. Decent, AC. King, MJH. Simmons, EI. Părău, IM. Wallwork, et al. CJ. Gurney, J. Uddin. (2009). The trajectory and stability of a spiralling liquid jet: Viscous theory. Applied Mathematical Modelling. 33(12), pp.4283-4302.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2009). A three-dimensional numerical model of a single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 34(20), pp.8645-8663.
SP. Decent (2009). Asymptotic solution of slender viscous jet break-up. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 74(5), pp.741-781.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2009). Curved Non-Newtonian Liquid Jets With Surfactants. Journal of Fluids Engineering. 131(9), pp.0912031-0912037.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, K. Kendall (2009). Structural stability of silver under single-chamber solid oxide fuel cell conditions. International Journal of Hydrogen Energy. 34(18), pp.7807-7810.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2009). Mixed-reactant, micro-tubular solid oxide fuel cells: An experimental study. Journal of Power Sources. 193(1), pp.39-48.
JO. Marston, V. Hawkins, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2009). Influence of surfactant upon air entrainment hysteresis in curtain coating. Experiments in Fluids. 46(3), pp.549-558.
N. Akhtar, S. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2008). Modelling of Gas Flow and Electrochemical Effects in a Single Chamber-Solid Oxide Fuel Cell (SC-SOFC). ECS Transactions. 13(28), pp.107-124.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). Non-linear waves along a rotating non-Newtonian liquid jet. International Journal of Engineering Science. 46(12), pp.1253-1265.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). The effect of surfactants on the instability of a rotating liquid jet. Fluid Dynamics Research. 40(11-12), pp.827-851.
JO. Marston, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons (2008). Experimental evidence of non-unique solutions to a steady non-linear coating flow. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 73(4), pp.698-702.
SP. Decent (2008). A simplified model of the onset of air entrainment in curtain coating at small Capillary number. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 86(3), pp.311-323.
JO. Marston, JPK. Seville, Y-V. Cheun, A. Ingram, SP. Decent, et al. MJH. Simmons. (2008). Effect of packing fraction on granular jetting from solid sphere entry into aerated and fluidized beds. Physics of Fluids. 20(2),
SP. Decent, AC. King (2008). Surface-tension-driven flow in a slender cone. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 73(1), pp.37-68.
JO. Marston, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent (2007). Influence of viscosity and impingement speed on intense hydrodynamic assist in curtain coating. Experiments in Fluids. 42(3), pp.483-488.
EI. Părău, SP. Decent, MJH. Simmons, DCY. Wong, AC. King (2007). Nonlinear viscous liquid jets from a rotating orifice. Journal of Engineering Mathematics. 57(2), pp.159-179.
JO. MARSTON, SP. DECENT, MJH. SIMMONS (2006). Hysteresis and non-uniqueness in the speed of the onset of instability in curtain coating. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 569, pp.349-349.
JO. Marston, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent, SP. Kirk (2006). Influence of the flow field in curtain coating onto a prewet substrate. Physics of Fluids. 18(11),
SP. Decent (2006). The spreading of a viscous microdrop on a solid surface. Microfluidics and Nanofluidics. 2(6), pp.537-549.
SP. Decent (2006). Hydrodynamic assist and the dynamic contact angle in the coalescence of liquid drops. IMA Journal of Applied Mathematics. 71(5), pp.740-767.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent, MJ. Simmons (2006). The Instability of Shear Thinning and Shear Thickening Spiralling Liquid Jets: Linear Theory. Journal of Fluids Engineering. 128(5), pp.968-975.
EI. Părău, SP. Decent, AC. King, MJH. Simmons, DC. Wong (2006). Nonlinear travelling waves on a spiralling liquid jet. Wave Motion. 43(7), pp.599-618.
SP. Decent, G. Sharpe, AJ. Shaw, PM. Suckling (2006). The formation of a liquid bridge during the coalescence of drops. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 32(6), pp.717-738.
SP. Decent (2006). On the instability of microjets. Continuum Mechanics and Thermodynamics. 17(7), pp.525-543.
L. Partridge, DCY. Wong, MJH. Simmons, EI. Părău, SP. Decent (2005). Experimental and Theoretical Description of the Break-up of Curved Liquid Jets in the Prilling Process. Chemical Engineering Research and Design. 83(11), pp.1267-1275.
DCY. Wong, MJH. Simmons, SP. Decent, EI. Parau, AC. King (2004). Break-up dynamics and drop size distributions created from spiralling liquid jets. International Journal of Multiphase Flow. 30(5), pp.499-520.
IM. WALLWORK, SP. DECENT, AC. KING, RMSM. SCHULKES (2002). The trajectory and stability of a spiralling liquid jet. Part 1. Inviscid theory. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 459, pp.43-65.
SP. Decent, AC. King, IM. Wallwork (2002). Free jets spun from a prilling tower. Journal of Engineering Mathematics. 42(3/4), pp.265-282.
IM. Wallwork, SP. Decent, AC. King (2001). The Trajectory and Stability of a Spiralling Liquid Jet. Fluid Mechanics and its Applications. 62, pp.337-344.
SP. Decent, AC. King (2001). The Recoil of A Broken Liquid Bridge. Fluid Mechanics and its Applications. 62, pp.81-88.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1999). Sideband instability and modulations of Faraday waves. Wave Motion. 30(1), pp.43-55.
SP. Decent (1997). Solitary waves and chaotic twisting in a PDE model of Faraday resonance. Fluid Dynamics Research. 21(2), pp.115-137.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1997). On limit cycles arising from the parametric excitation of standing waves. Wave Motion. 25(3), pp.275-294.
SP. Decent (1997). The nonlinear damping of parametrically excited two-dimensional gravity waves. Fluid Dynamics Research. 19(4), pp.201-217.
SP. Decent, ADD. Craik (1995). Hysteresis in Faraday resonance. Journal of Fluid Mechanics. 293(1), pp.237-268.
J. Uddin, SP. Decent (2010). Instability of Non-Newtonian Liquid Jets Curved by Gravity. In: PROGRESS IN INDUSTRIAL MATHEMATICS AT ECMI 2008. Univ Coll London, London, ENGLAND, 30/6/2008. pp.597-602.
N. Akhtar, SP. Decent, D. Loghin, K. Kendall (2008). Modelling of Co-Planar Type Single-Chamber Solid Oxide Fuel Cells (SC-SOFCs). In: ASME 2008 6th International Conference on Fuel Cell Science, Engineering and Technology. Denver, CO, 16/6/2008. pp.241-255.
D. Wong, M. Simmons, A. King, S. Decent, E. Parau (2003). Dynamic break-up and drop formation from a liquid jet spun from a rotating orifice. Part 1: Experimental. In: Proceedings of the ASME/JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference. pp.363-369.
E. Pǎrǎu, S. Decent, A. King, M. Simmons, D. Wong (2003). Dynamic break-up and drop formation from a liquid jet spun from a rotating orifice. Part II: Theoretical. In: Proceedings of the ASME/JSME Joint Fluids Engineering Conference. pp.371-377.
A. King, S. Decent, I. Wallwork, E. Parau, M. Simmons, et al. D. Wong. (2002). Spiralling Liquid Jets. In: Volume 1: Fora, Parts A and B. 14/7/2002. pp.781-786.
Fellow of the Institute of Mathematics and its Applications