Ed Clarke MEng Engineering Acoustics and Vibration (now Acoustical Engineering), 1992
Technical Director, Clarke Saunders Associates
I’m keen to support the Acoustical Engineering course at the Institute of Sound and Vibration Research (ISVR), because I’m grateful for what it did for me and hopeful for what it can do now for the next generation of acousticians.
Why did you choose to study at the University of Southampton?
My choice of university was primarily course led – the ISVR is world renowned for excellence in the academic and practical study of acoustics, the subject with which, for some reason, I was fixated in my late teens. I still am.
Why did you choose to study Acoustical Engineering?
A grounding in maths and physics, and a love of sine waves (see above)! I have an engineering family background, and I think most acousticians have some musicality in their blood – an appreciation of pitch, timbre and dynamics that helps us to relate directly to the study and manipulation of sine waves. It doesn’t necessarily mean we are any good as musicians, but most of us tend at least to be instrument owners.
What did you enjoy most about your course?
That's a difficult question - I look back on it all very positively. The atmosphere and learning environment of the ISVR was, and still is, an incredibly important part of the package. The infectious enthusiasm of the teaching staff was tremendously helpful when grappling with the tougher aspects of acoustics theory. Then, with the grappling complete, I got a real sense of pride, of belonging to an elite club - knowing, for example, that I could derive the three dimensional plane wave equation from first principles (please don’t ask me to do it now).
What is your current role?
Clarke Saunders Associates (CSA) is a firm of acoustical consultants that Alan Saunders and I have been running these last 20 years (seems like no time). As Technical Director, I have overall responsibility for all technical aspects of the business. I need to make sure we don’t just tell our clients what they want to hear. Getting the right balance between being supportive to our clients and making sure they are properly and accurately informed is central to the art/science of consultancy.
Has your course helped you to gain the career you desired?
Absolutely. There are other routes into consultancy, but I don’t believe that any of them provide as good a grounding in the fundamentals of acoustics that underpins everything we do at CSA.
What has been your greatest career achievement so far?
My highest profile achievements were through our trade association, the Association of Noise Consultants. I developed the association’s Registration Scheme for sound insulation testers, which has been a great success for members and for the building industry. This launched me onto the board, followed by the role of chairman.
On a more personal level, some of the most rewarding consultancy projects I’ve been involved in are covered by non-disclosure agreements (I could tell you but…). Getting all of the measurements, predictions, analysis and advice just right can be challenging enough, but when it is then scrutinised by lawyers working for big players in global motorsport, Russian oligarchs or the Ministry of Defence, the satisfaction of a job well done is somewhat enhanced!
If you could give a prospective student one piece of advice, what would it be?
Maths, maths, maths and more maths. Rather than seeing the tricky equations as a horror to be endured, a deep and thorough understanding of the subject can only be gained by complete immersion in and acceptance of all those fiddly squiggles and Greek letters.