Dr Salma Alarefi

Profile

Salma is an author and award-winning Lecturer at the School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering at the Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences. She is the recipient of the University of Leeds 2021 Early Career Teaching Award and Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences Teaching Award.    

Salma holds a PhD degree in Electronics and Computing Systems and BEng in Telecommunication Engineering from the University of Essex, 2013, 2018, respectively.  Her PhD research on power control of renewable power systems was shortlisted for the prestigious STEM for Britain award in 2017 and awarded a special commendation by the Water Women at Leeds in 2019.  

Salma is passionate about inspiring young people from disadvantaged, underrepresented and minoritized backgrounds into STEM education. She is actively involved with designing and delivering outreach activities. Her efforts towards the promotion of women in engineering have been recognized by the U.K. Women’s Engineering Society, to which she has been elected as a fellow in 2021.  In 2020, Salma was awarded a fellowship of the University of Leeds Public Engagement Excellence Scheme to carry public engagement and outreach activities. As well as promoting interest in engineering education and career, she devoted herself to improving the diversity and inclusivity of engineering education, which is informed by her pedagogical research on fostering sense of belonging and enchaining student success. In 2021, she was awarded a fellowship by the Leeds Institute for Teaching Excellence to explore students’ sense of belonging and expression of authentic self at the University of Leeds, Faculty of Engineering and Physical Sciences in particular.  In alignment with the University of Leeds Access 2025 Strategy, the focus of her pedagogical research spans across the student lifecycle from access to continuation, attainment, and progression.   

Responsibilities

• Academic Lead for Inclusivity and Student Success
• Academic Personal Tutor
• Module leader

Research interests

My pedagogical research lies in the area of inclusive engineering education with emphasis on enhancing student success by fostering a greater sense of belonging. Examples of research expertise area are but not limited to- inclusive engineering education pedagogies; development of STEM identity; authentic assessment; inclusion and belonging through sustainability.  

My technical research interests span a broad range of power electronics applications in microgeneration of renewable power (e.g., solar Photovoltaic, wind, hydro). As well as power management and control, my research focuses on modelling analysis of electrical characteristics of renewable power systems and their applications (microgrid and EVs).  

Qualifications

• PhD in Electronics and Computing Systems, University of Essex, U.K.
• BEng in Telecommunication Engineering, University of Essex, U.K.

Professional memberships

• The Institution of Engineering and Technology, CEng, MIET
• Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers , MIEEE
• Fellow of Women's Engineering Society, Fellow, WES
• Fellow of the Higher Education Academy, FHEA

Student education

Dr Alarefi designs, delivers, and leads modules on renewable power systems. She supervises undergraduate and postgraduate taught projects. She is an internal and external examiner.   Salma is academic lead for Inclusivity and Student Success at School of Electronic and Electrical Engineering where she leads pedagogically informed inclusive teaching and learning practices aimed at enhancing student success.